Electric Oven not getting hot enough

it could be the oven temp sensor rod located near the top of the inside of the oven,or possibly the bake element has a hot spot on the element and can no longer pass enough current thru this spot to correctly heat to your settings a hot spot on the element will look discolored in this area

The top of whatever food you're cooking should be in the center of the oven for the most effective cooking. Do you have the oven set on bake or broil? Broil is a direct heat method and if the food is on the lower shelf and the oven is set on broil, the food is not getting enough heat to cook it properly. Baking heats the lower element and the heat rises to surround the food. Broiling heats the top element and since heat rises, it is not getting down to the food to surround it and cook it.

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.

Usually, when an oven won't bake, it's because the bake element is burned out. The bake element is the black, pencil- thick tube at the bottom of the oven. When the oven heats, 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.

It bakes poorly Here are two instances of when food "bakes poorly:"

• 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.
  
  

Hello. You have done an excellent job of explaining your problem. Read over the info. below as it sounds like your top element is not working.

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.

Both bake elements still work? Both top and bottom bake elements?

It is possible that the thermostat on your oven needs calibration. However, major errors in temperature may be the result of a bad heating element, blown fuse or tripped breaker, a door that doesn't close or seal properly, etc. Confirm that the oven is in otherwise good operating condition before attempting calibration.

Most thermostats have a calibration screw located under the knob. Try pulling the knob off and look at the shaft. Some shafts have a small screw located in the center. Rotating this screw will change the trip point at which the thermostat will turn on and off. This is determined by the sensor located inside the oven itself. Some other schemes allow for the entire control to rotate with respect to the scale. You will need to identify the type used on your oven

Let me know if I can help you to recalibrate, but I recommend calling an appliance serviceperson because they'll have thermostats and know how to adjust your temperature calibration.

I gather you are measuring voltage with respect to the chassis ground?
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/07-wiring-information-parts-for-maytag-cwe5800acb.html

Shows the internal wiring for the unit. The parts are rather expensive and some are no longer available.

there are relays on the oven control that turn the elements on and off, sounds like you need a new control

When you put the oven into bake it preheats with the bake and broil element both.  The broil element is most likely your only heat source if it took that long to cook the pie.  Need to verify that the bake element is coming on.  If it isn't then the problem is either in the control or the element itself.  Give me the model # off the sticker on the oven and I can help you do the check out.  In the mean time see if the bake element is getting hot.

Shaffy, When baking only the bake element should heat. When broiling only the broil element (upper) should heat. Your oven is a Kitchenaid, you have a 5 year warranty on any electronic element or control board. You may have a temperature sensor that is not working right. The oven just might need to be calibrated, the instructions would be in your owners manual. Your bake element might be failing, it would have to be ohmed out. You also need to verify that the bake element is getting 240V. when turned on. Catriver...post back