An oven is the crown jewel of any kitchen. When it works, cooking feels smooth and easy. However, when it malfunctions, it can be a serious inconvenience and a safety hazard.
That’s why some issues require immediate attention. This not only helps prevent further damage but ensures safe operation as well.
A few of the most common oven faults that signal the need for urgent servicing are discussed in more detail below.
Oven Not Heating Properly
An oven that isn’t heating to the correct temperature or is taking too long to preheat may indicate a faulty heating element or thermostat. While electric ovens rely on heating elements, gas ovens depend on an igniter to provide heat. If these components wear out or malfunction, your oven won’t reach the desired temperature.
To do a quick check yourself, you can try resetting the oven or checking the temperature settings. However, if the problem persists, professional repairs will be required.
It’s highly advisable to address this issue promptly because failing to do so could lead to uneven cooking or further damage to internal components. Ultimately, this will make it harder and more expensive to repair later on.
Domex Appliance Repairs recommend that you contact a specialist immediately if you experience temperature setting and heating issues. Their expert engineers can attend to your repairs any day of the week and also on Saturdays. The locations covered include Guildford, Brighton, Epsom, Croydon, Nottingham, Leicester, throughout London and many others.
Oven Failing to Ignite
When it comes to gas ovens, an igniter is used to light the gas and provide the heat necessary for cooking. However, if your oven isn’t igniting, the igniter could be faulty. Alternatively, there may be an issue with the gas supply. If you have a non-igniting oven, it’s time to call in a specialist. That’s because it’s considered a major concern and it should be inspected immediately. Gas build-up without ignition could lead to dangerous situations such as gas leaks.
A similar issue can occur in electric ovens. That’s especially true if the electrical wiring or heating elements are faulty. When this happens, your oven will completely fail to turn on. In both cases, a professional service is required. This will help you prevent potential hazards and restore the functionality of your oven.
Cooking Food Unevenly
If you have a faulty oven, one of the most common and frustrating problems is uneven cooking. In such cases, you’ll often notice that one side of your dish is overcooked while the other remains undercooked.
A common cause of this issue is a malfunctioning fan in convection ovens, poor heat distribution or a faulty thermostat. This issue is typically caused by failing heating elements, improper calibration of the temperature sensor or blocked airflow inside the oven.
Leaving this issue unchecked means your oven’s performance can worsen, making it unreliable. An experienced technician can inspect the oven’s components and resolve the underlying issue.
Uneven Gas Flow in Gas Ovens
Proper gas flow is essential for consistent heating in gas ovens. However, if the gas flow is uneven, it could result in hot spots or some parts of the oven not receiving enough heat. This is a major cause that leads to unevenly cooked food.
Common causes of this issue include faulty gas burners, a damaged igniter or clogged gas lines. If left unaddressed, you could be facing a potentially dangerous situation. For example, uneven gas flow might result in gas leaks or inefficient use of energy.
You should call a qualified technician immediately to inspect the gas lines, burners and igniter to ensure they are functioning correctly and attend to the necessary repairs for more peace of mind.
Oven Overheating
Another common oven fault is when it overheats and burns your food, despite the fact that you’ve set it to the right temperature.
This is often a sign that the thermostat or temperature sensor has malfunctioned, which means that you can damage both your oven and the food you’re preparing. Furthermore, an overheating oven can be a fire hazard if it continues to operate at excessively high temperatures.
Immediate service is required to replace or recalibrate the faulty thermostat or sensor. This will help avoid further damage to your appliance and ensure safe operation.
Oven Door Won’t Close Properly
If your oven door doesn’t close properly or fully, you may not pay it much heed. While this may seem like a minor issue, it can affect your oven’s efficiency and safety.
When the oven door remains ajar, heat escapes, causing the oven to work harder. Ultimately, this increases your energy bills. What is more, it may also result in uneven cooking due to fluctuating internal temperatures.
This problem is often a result of worn-out door hinges, broken door springs or faulty seals. Professional servicing will restore the door’s functionality and ensure that the oven operates correctly.
Strange Smells During Operation
If you detect strange smells when your oven is in use, it could indicate burning wiring, leaking gas or residual food particles that are stuck in the heating elements.
Some smells, like those from cleaning residue or burnt food, are less urgent. However, any electrical burning smells or gas odours should be addressed immediately. This will help prevent fire or gas poisoning risks.
What you should do if you smell gas or burning plastic is to turn off your oven immediately and call a technician. Continuing to use the oven in this state can be dangerous and pose hazards.
When to Replace Your Oven
In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to replace an oven than to continue repairing it. As is the case of boilers, if your oven is over 10 years old and is experiencing frequent issues, it may no longer be energy-efficient.
Also, constant repairs may become too expensive over the long run. In such cases, investing in a new oven can save you money as it provides more reliable performance and better energy consumption.