A well-working oven or stove is an essential component in any kitchen. They allow us to prepare delicious meals for ourselves and our families. However, like any appliance, they can experience issues and breakdowns that are frustrating and inconvenient. While some oven and stove repair may require professional help, basic knowledge and tools can address many of the common issues you may face.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the common causes of oven and stove breakdowns.
Understanding these potential issues can help you pinpoint the problem so you can easily troubleshoot the problem or recruit someone who knows how. Don’t worry – we’ll provide tips for fixing the problem also!
Then we will dive into some of the basics tips for stove and oven repair, like:
- Diagnosing the problem
- The importance of safety
- The importance of regular maintenance
By following these tips, you can keep your oven or stove working properly and enjoy stress-free cooking in your kitchen!
Common Causes for Oven and Stove Breakdowns
First, it’s important to acknowledge some of the common causes of oven and stove breakdowns. The hope is that if you run into any of these problems, you’ll be able to pinpoint the issue and make the repairs before they cause larger issues.
1. Burner Failure
Burner failure on an oven or stove refers to a situation where one or more burners on the appliance stop functioning properly.
This can be caused by various issues such as:
- A faulty heating element
- A malfunctioning control switch
- A clogged burner head
Burner failure can affect the efficiency and safety of your oven or stove and may require immediate attention.
Traditional coil ranges can be tested to see if the hook-up is active by trading the unit with another from the stove. If it works, the problem is with the burner itself.
In any case, our team at Atlanta Appliance Services can trade the burner out or replace the switch receptacle. Don’t forget, it is always better to let a professional handle electrical and appliance repair.
However, by following the steps below, you can repair burner failure on your oven or stove on your own:
- Identify the cause of the problem.
- Turn off the power to the stove or oven and wait for it to cool down before you begin working on it.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for removing the faulty part and installing the replacement.
- Reassemble the appliance and test the burners to ensure they are working properly.
If you are experiencing burner failure and don’t know how to fix it on your own or if the issue isn’t corrected after attempting repairs, seek professional help from a licensed repair technician.
2. Self-Cleaning Oven Won’t Clean
If the self-cleaning function on your oven or stove won’t clean, it may mean the function selector or latch has broken.
Here are a few other places you can check to pinpoint a potential problem:
- Check the oven door gasket for signs of wear and tear.
- A damaged gasket will keep the oven from reaching the temperature needed to clean itself. Unfortunately, if the gasket is damaged, it cannot be repaired and will need to be replaced.
- Check your oven racks to make sure they are in the right position.
- Sometimes, the self-cleaning feature can cause damage to the racks if they are left in the oven during the cleaning cycle. Remove the racks and set them aside during the cleaning cycle.
- Check the oven’s heating element or burner to make sure they are working properly. If the heating element or burner isn’t working, it can keep the oven from reaching the temperature it needs to clean itself.
If none of these is the issue, give us a call and we’ll come to check it out!
3. Oven is Heating Irregularly
If your oven or stove isn’t heating correctly, it’s likely a mechanical issue and those issues can vary based on the type of oven or stove you have.
In this case, most often the solution is to replace the bake or broil heating elements. While you may be able to make this repair on your own, we recommend contacting a professional with experience in these types of repairs.
4. Electrical Problems with Your Stove or Oven
Electrical issues can cause ovens and stoves to stop working. Some of these issues include:
- A blown fuse
- Tripped circuit breaker
- Faulty wiring
- A damaged power
If you find that electrical problems are the issue make sure you take an abundance of precautions and unplug or shut off the power to the stove before making any repairs. This is essential for your safety.
However, we advise you to speak with a professional oven and stove repair service when there are issues with electricity.
5. Clock or Timer Isn’t Working on the Oven or Stove
A broken clock or timer on your oven or stove can be very inconvenient. Here are a few ways you can potentially fix this problem.
- Check the power source
- Make sure your oven is plugged into a reliable source of power. You should also check your circuit breaker or fuse box to make sure the circuit hasn’t tripped or blown.
- Check the clock settings
- If the clock or timer is not working as it should, make sure the clock settings are correct. Check the oven manual and follow the correct instructions for setting the time and timer.
- Reset the clock or timer
- If the clock or timer isn’t working, resetting it could solve the problem. Try the old trick of unplugging it for a few minutes and then plugging it back in.
- Check the clock or timer for damage
- Damage or broken parts may need to be replaced. Your oven manual may explain how to replace the clock or timer, if not, seek the help of a licensed repair technician.
- Test the oven’s control board
- A malfunctioning control board can cause your clock or timer to stop working. In this case, a licensed repair technician will need to test the control board to see if it’s functioning correctly and make a replacement if necessary.
6. Clogged Burners
Clogged burners are a common problem for ovens and stoves. This happens when food or grease builds up around the burn ports. As a result, the flow of gas and air is blocked which keeps the burner from working properly.
Regular cleaning is the best way to avoid this issue. To clean your burners, remove the head and soak it in hot water with dish soap. This should remove any buildup. Then use something like a toothbrush or a wire brush to clean the holes in the burner head. Return the burner to its rightful place and test it to make sure it is working properly.
7. Broken Oven or Stove Seals or Door
There are plenty of reasons for an oven or stove seals to break including:
- General wear and tear
- Accidental damage
- Exposure to high temperatures
- Improper cleaning
Additionally, you may find that your oven door won’t open at all. This may be because the self-clean cycle has been triggered and the lock is activated. In that case, there could be a malfunctioning lock, internal clock, or oven control.
Your oven or stove manual should be able to help with this problem but if not, give us a call!
Tips for Repairing a Broken Oven or Stove
If your oven or stove isn’t working properly, make sure you follow these basic tips before making a repair.
1. Diagnose the Problem
Make sure you have a strong understanding of how your stove or oven works. This will help you understand what’s normal and what’s not so that you can diagnose the problem.
2. Keep Your Safety First
When dealing with an oven or stove, electricity and extreme heat are involved. These things can be dangerous so it’s important to put your safety first. Make sure all power is off to the unit and you are wearing the proper protective gear.
3. Perform Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance, cleaning, and inspections can help keep your stove or oven working properly and avoid the common issues listed above. Also, working quickly to solve issues when they pop up will prevent further damage to your appliance.
6. Seek Professional Appliance Services
While many common issues can cause stoves and ovens to work improperly, many of these issues can be resolved with some basic troubleshooting and repairs.
However, it’s important to remember that working with appliances can be dangerous, and if you’re unsure about how to make a repair or don’t feel comfortable doing it on your own, it’s always best to seek professional appliance services.
Not only will this ensure that the job is done correctly and safely, but it can also help you avoid causing further damage to your appliance. With the help of a trained and experienced technician, like the ones at Atlanta Appliance Services, you can get your stove or oven back up and running in no time, allowing you to get back to cooking your favorite meals!
Call us today at (618)990-0863 or book an appointment online to learn more!