Ovens: Temperature Issues and Their Common Causes

The oven is a kitchen darling without which our meal tables would be devoid of the mouthwatering Machchi Ke Sooley, or the yummy Margherita Pizza. At their core, ovens are fairly simple appliances, but like every machine, things can go wrong. Over time, ovens, like all other machines wear out. Which is why, keeping contacts of a Winnipeg stove repair licensed contractor can save you in the nick of time. If your oven is not heating, cooks unevenly, or undercooks food, these are the four most common oven temperature issues.

No Heat

The most likely cause of your oven not heating up at all, is a faulty igniter. It’s either this or a more serious gas line problem. To rule out the problem with gas line, check to see if the range above the oven is working properly. If everything looks good, you probably just need to replace the igniter and things will be back to normal. For electric ovens, the problem most likely lies in the heating element. If when you set a temperature the heating element doesn’t turn red, it needs replacement.

Undercooking

If your oven is undercooking food, or taking longer to cook than it normally does, it means that the oven is not reaching the correct temperature needed to cook.  There are two likely causes for this problem; either the temperature sensor is touching the oven’s wall or it’s faulty. When the sensor touches the oven’s wall, it interferes with the ability of the sensor to measure internal temperature accurately. If you notice that the sensor touches the wall, simply reposition it away from the wall. If even after you do this the problem persists, have your oven repair expert inspect and replace the sensor if found faulty.

Cooks unevenly

If you try roasting an entire chicken or bread and notice that some parts are more toasted than others, your appliance is not cooking evenly. If you’re sure that the sensors and heating elements are working fine, make sure your racks are positioned properly; the problem could be as simple as wrongly positioned racks. Altering the height of the racks when cooking certain foods may fix the problem. In addition, when cooking certain foods, particularly those with longer cooking times, adjust the height of the racks. If your oven is a new one, take your time and learn how your oven functions.

Door sealing issues

If your oven door doesn’t shut tightly, it could cause a myriad of issues, including temperature fluctuations. The first thing to do is inspect the seal clips. These are normally located towards the front of the oven. Burned, heavily soiled, and damaged seal clips need replacement. Also confirm if the panel screws are loose and if that’s the case, simply tighten them, then shut the door and inspect the sides. There shouldn’t be any large gaps. Keep in mind, an improperly closing door will not only cause uneven baking but also cause burns from the heat leaks.

Maintaining your appliances regularly helps stop simple problems from escalating. If you want your oven to serve you longer, have it serviced regularly.