An oven that is not working right is more than an inconvenience. Gas leaks, overheating, and electrical faults are real hazards in a kitchen. Here is what to watch for and what to do about it.
Door seals
Run your hand around the closed oven door while it is warm. If you feel heat escaping, the gasket is cracked, flattened, or has come loose. A bad seal makes the oven work harder, cooks unevenly, and puts hot air right where people stand. It is an inexpensive part to replace.
Igniters on gas ovens
A gas oven igniter glows to light the burner. When it weakens, it glows but does not get hot enough to open the gas valve fully, so the oven takes a long time to light or lights with a whump. An igniter that clicks or glows for more than a minute without a flame should be replaced before it fails completely.
Thermostats and temperature
Put an oven thermometer inside and set the dial to 350. If the reading is off by more than 25 degrees either way, the thermostat or temperature sensor is failing. An oven that overshoots badly can scorch food and stress the wiring and the door glass.
Electric elements
A bake or broil element that has a bright spot, a bubble, or a visible break should be turned off and replaced. Elements can arc when they fail, and a shorted element can trip breakers or damage the control board.
When to stop using the oven
If you smell gas, do not light anything and do not use the oven. Open windows, leave the room, and call your gas company. If you see sparks, smell burning plastic, or the control panel is dead or flashing error codes, switch the breaker off and call for service. We repair gas and electric ranges and wall ovens across Chicago.
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Burners that will not light, an oven that will not hold temperature, or a smell that is not right. Gas and electric.
Stove & Oven Repair in Chicago
