It won't bake or broilIf
neither the bake nor the broiler heating elements heat, but the range
burners still work, the clock may be set for a timed or self-cleaning
cycle. Check to be sure the clock buttons and knobs are set properly.
If your clock has a knob that says "push for man(ual)", push the knob
in and try the baking and broiling elements again. If it still does not
operate properly, you probably have a defect in the thermostat,
selector switch, or common wiring.
If the oven does not have a
separate bake/broil/etc. selector switch, the problem may be with the
thermostat. But it's not easy to check the selector switch or
thermostat for proper operation. If you suspect a problem in this area,
call a qualified appliance repair technician.
- When
the food you're baking is done on top but not on the bottom--or when
baking just takes far too long to finish--the bake element may be
burned out.
You may get fooled into thinking it's
working, because the oven is hot inside. But many electric ovens use
the broil element, too, during the preheat and bake cycles. So the food
may be getting heated only by the broil element, which causes poor
baking results.
If the bake element is burned out, replacing
it should solve the problem. Otherwise, you need to further
troubleshoot the oven's electrical system to locate the defective wire
or component.
- When the temperature is consistent but too
high or too low, it could be one of several different things. First
check to see if the thermostat sensing bulb has come loose from its
holder. It could be lying on the floor of the oven or resting on the
heating element. This would cause the oven to not heat correctly.
If the thermostat bulb is not dislodged, it's likely that the thermostat or sensor is either mis-calibrated or defective.
Electronic
ovens with a digital display use a sensor to monitor oven temperature.
To solve temperature problems for these models, you may need to replace
the sensor. On some digital-display models, you can calibrate the
temperature using the key pad. See your operator's manual for details.
Ovens
without a digital display often use a mechanical system for controlling
temperature. On many of these units, you can remove the thermostat knob
and adjust the knob itself to more accurately represent the actual
setting of the thermostat.
If, when you remove the knob,
there's a screw on the back of it with a small calibration plate, you
can loosen the screw, adjust the plate, then tighten the screw again.
If the knob isn't adjustable, and the oven temperature is off by more
than 30 to 40 degrees, you need to replace the thermostat to solve the
problem.
It won't broil
Usually,
when an oven won't broil, it's because the broiler element is burned
out. The broiler element in an electric oven is the black, pencil-thick
tube at the top of the oven. When the broiler is on, the element glows
red. This element has an expected life-span of several years. It may
last for only one; it may last for many more. When the element burns
out, you need to replace it.
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