For the majority of homeowners out there, the oven happens to be the heart and soul of the kitchen. There is no other kitchen appliance that you can rely on to make fresh and hot meals. But the unfortunate thing with ovens is that they can run into problems like other kitchen appliances and leave you stranded with no idea what to do. Heating problems are common problem in ovens. If your oven is not heating to the correct temperature, below are the potential reasons along with some troubleshooting tips to get things running back to normal. But you can’t fix all the problems yourself and you may need assistance from an appliance repair professional.
The Oven Is Unplugged
If your oven is not turning on or not heating at all, it does not necessarily mean the oven is at fault itself. You will need to check the basics first and make sure the oven is not unplugged. Some people tend to have the habit of switching the oven off every time they are done using it.
So, you might have thought the oven was faulty, but in fact it wasn’t actually plugged in. If the oven still does not turn on or heat, it could be an electrical issue. You will need to check the power socket by unplugging the oven and plugging it into another power source.
If the oven starts to work properly, it means the power socket was the issue. If the problem still persists, you will need to check the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker acts as a safety device and automatically cuts off the power supply when it senses a power fluctuation.
This helps protect kitchen appliances from serious and expensive damage. If possible, check the fuse box as well. If there was a power fluctuation, it could be that one of the fuses has gone out. You will need to take them out and check them individually for any burn signs.
The Heating Element Is Broken
If you observe that the oven is not heating up at all or the heating elements themselves are not glowing orange and you have noticed that the electric bills are higher than usual, this could indicate a fault with the heating element.
The problem with heating elements is that they do not show any signs before giving up. You will only find out about this when you turn on the oven one fine day and it simply won’t heat up. The heating elements might need thorough maintenance if the oven has not been cleaned in a while.
If you suspect the heating element is the issue, you will need to consult an expert. They will access the elements using special tools and clean or replace the heating elements accordingly.
The Igniter Is Defective
If your gas oven is not heating up, it could be that the igniter is defective. A few signs that indicate the igniter needs repair. For instance, the igniter inside the oven glows orange or yellow when it’s working properly.
If you don’t see anything as such, it means the igniter is faulty. At the same time, if the igniter is working properly, you will hear a clicking sound when the gas ignites. If you do not hear this sound, it means the igniter is not able to ignite the gas, which prevents the oven from heating up.
In such a case, then again, you will need to consult an expert. Do not try to play around with the igniter as you can end up damaging it. The expert will diagnose the cause of the problem and replace the igniter if needed.
Thermostat Knobs Are Mispositioned
When and if your oven is not heating up, it could be due to thermostat knobs that are mispositioned. These knobs help determine the accurate oven temperature. If your oven was recently serviced or maintained, it could be that the expert failed to install the knobs in the right position.
Fortunately, this is not something that requires expert help. All you need to do is make sure the knobs are perfectly in place and look for chips or cracks. If the knob is broken for some reason, you might need a new one.
If the knob happens to be broken, you can easily replace it as they are affordable and easy to install.
Oven Needs Recalibration
If everything is working fine, but your oven feels slightly off or acts in an unusual way, it could be that it needs recalibration. This usually happens when maintenance is performed. Recalibrating the oven helps the thermostat and other components record the internal temperature and align it with the set or desired temperature.
Unless you know how to recalibrate the oven, you should entrust an expert to do it. Modern ovens tend to have electronic controls to calibrate the temperature. If that is the case, consult the user manual to see whether you can do it on your own. However, it’s better to hire a cooktops repair Springfield expert for thermostat recalibration or replacement.
The Door Won’t Shut Properly
A loosely shut door is one of the most common reasons an oven might not heat to the correct temperature. You should know that the ovens come with seals and gaskets made of plastic and rubber that will eventually wear out with time, with constant opening and closing.
If the seals or gaskets are worn out, the oven will not be able to achieve the set temperature. Modern ovens are loaded with safety features and it might not even turn on or start if it senses the door is open. That said, you will need to perform a close inspection of the door and see if anything needs to be replaced.
Defective Gas Line
If the oven seems to be running perfectly with no problems in sight, it could be a defective gas line that is preventing it from heating to the correct temperature. A defective gas supply will make it difficult for the burners to light up as the gas flow is disrupted.
The problem with a defective gas line is not only related to the oven but also poses a safety risk. You might think the gas supply is off, but it could be slightly leaking. In such cases, as a safety measure, it is best to keep the windows open for a while in case the gas supply returns to normal and someone has left the knobs open.
To fix the gas line, you will need to contact the relevant authorities and clean the pipes as well. There could be a leakage or crack in the pipes as well.
Conclusion
An oven that is not heating to the correct temperature can be both a tricky and a simple issue to fix. But what is more important is being familiar with the troubleshooting tips. The above-mentioned tips will surely help get down to the root cause of the problem and fix it without much hassle. If not, get help from an oven repair Fairfax expert. And make sure the oven receives regular maintenance to prevent issues that can pop up otherwise.