Why Is My Oven Not Getting Up To Temperature?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’re all set to cook a delicious meal, but your electric oven is not heating up? I know I have, and it can be incredibly frustrating. There are various technical and human reasons why your electric oven provides irregular heat up. This is because of some heating elements or typical faults with oven doors or rack placement. But the good news is that this is nothing to worry about. This is a common problem that can be easily resolved with troubleshooting.

In this article, I’ll share some of the four most common reasons why electric ovens fail to heat up and provide you with simple steps to identify and fix the issue. With my personal experience and tips, you’ll be able to get your oven stabilized heating again in no time. So, let’s dive in and get cooking!

1-Faulty heating element:

In an electric oven, the heating element is responsible for converting electrical energy into heat. When the heating element fails to function correctly, the oven cannot generate the heat required to cook meals. Here are the ways to inspect and address a faulty heating element:

Visual inspection of the heating element: 

First, unplug the oven and visually inspect the heating element. Then check the signs of any damage, such as cracks, breaks, or burns. If the heating element appears damaged, you need to replace them immediately before using it.

Use of a multimeter to test the continuity of the heating element: 

Sometimes heating element looks intact, but it may still be faulty. To check the continuity of the heating element of an oven using a multimeter, you can follow these steps:

• First, Turn off the oven and unplug it from the power source for safety.
• Locate the heating element in the oven. It’s typically located at the bottom of the oven or on the back wall.
• Set your multimeter to the continuity or resistance mode. The symbol for continuity looks like a sound wave, and for resistance looks like an upside-down horseshoe with an arrow.
• Touch the two probes of the multimeter together to ensure they’re working and reading continuity or resistance.
• Touch one probe of the multimeter to one end of the heating element and the other probe to the other. The multimeter should display a reading indicating whether there is continuity or not.
• The heating element functions appropriately if the multimeter displays a reading indicating continuity. The heating element is not working correctly if the multimeter shows no readings. It is best to replace the heating element before further use.
• Once you’ve finished testing the heating element, turn off the multimeter and unplug it from the power source.

By following these steps, you can use a multimeter to test the continuity of the heating element in your oven and determine whether it’s functioning properly.

Replacement of the heating element: 

Consult the oven’s manual for replacing heating elements because each stove has a different procedure for replacing the parts. But It is important to note that working with electrical appliances can be dangerous and should only be attempted by qualified professionals or experienced individuals with proper safety equipment and knowledge.

2-Defective Thermostat:

In an electric oven, the thermostat regulates the temperature by managing the power supply to the heating element. The oven does not heat up properly or overheat the meal if the thermostat is not working accurately. Here are some procedures to inspect and repair a broken thermostat.

Calibration of the thermostat:

Calibrating an oven thermostat is adjusting the temperature settings to ensure that it accurately measures and maintains the desired temperature inside the oven.

• To calibrate an oven thermostat, you need an oven thermometer to measure the temperature inside the oven accurately. 
• Then Place the thermometer in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to a specific temperature, such as 350°F (177°C). 
• Once the oven reaches the desired temperature, check the thermometer to see if it matches the temperature setting on its control panel.
• If the thermometer reading does not match the temperature setting on the oven, you need to adjust the thermostat. 
• Most ranges have a calibration dial or screw on the back of the temperature control knob. Use a screwdriver to adjust the calibration dial or screw by following the instructions in your oven’s user manual until the thermometer reading matches the temperature setting on the oven’s control panel.

Testing the oven thermostat with a multimeter:

To test an oven thermostat with a multimeter, you can follow these steps:

1. First, turn off the oven and unplug the switch from the power source.
2. Locate the thermostat in the oven and remove it from its place.
3. Set your multimeter to the ohms setting, usually represented by the omega symbol (Ω).
4. Connect the multimeter leads to the thermostat terminals.
5. Check the resistance reading on the multimeter display. The accurate reading depends on the type of thermostat you use and the temperature you are testing for. Keep in mind; reading should be within the range specified in the thermostat’s manual.
6. In case the reading is outside the specified range, the thermostat may be faulty and need replacing.

3-Blown thermal fuse: 

In an electric oven, the thermal fuse is a safety component that shuts off the power supply to the electric oven when it overheats. The oven will not heat up if the thermal fuse fails. Here are some steps for inspecting and dealing with a blown thermal fuse:

Use of a multimeter

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a multimeter to test the continuity of a thermal fuse in an oven:

• Turn off the oven and unplug from the power outlet. It is essential for your safety.
• The thermal fuse is a small device located in the back of the oven, and it is usually connected to the back panel or the oven’s wiring. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the back panel to access it.
• Set your multimeter to continuity mode, usually denoted by a sound wave symbol. This mode will allow you to test the continuity of the thermal fuse.
• Touch the probes of your multimeter to the terminals of the thermal fuse. If the thermal fuse has continuity, the multimeter will beep, indicating a complete electrical circuit. If the thermal fuse lacks continuity, the multimeter will not beep, indicating a break in the circuit.
• Check the continuity of the thermal fuse. The continuity in reading shows it is working correctly. The lack of continuity indicates it is faulty, and you need to replace it by removing the old thermal fuse and installing the new one.

Note: It’s essential to refer to the oven’s manual or consult a professional if you need more confidence in performing this task independently. Working with electrical components can be dangerous and cause injury or damage to your oven if not done correctly.

4-Broken selector switch:

The selector switch in an electric oven controls different operations, such as the oven temperature, bake or broil settings, and timer. If the selector switch is broken, the oven may not heat up or function properly. Here are some procedures to inspect and repair a broken selector switch:

Visual inspection of the selector switch: 

• For visual inspection, unplug the oven and visually inspect the selector switch. 
• Look for any signs of damage, such as cracks, breaks, or blackish burns on the switch or its contacts. 
• These signs show you need to replace them because burning switches are unsafe to use, and you can get current from them.

Typical Human Faults That Should Avoid While Using Oven:

Here are some typical faults to avoid that cause an electric oven not to heat oven properly:

1. Incorrect use of the oven controls: Sometimes, the oven does not heat up because the controls have been set incorrectly. Check that the temperature and cooking mode is set correctly according to the recipe or cooking instructions.
2. Oven door not appropriately closed: If the oven door is not fully closed or the door seal is damaged, heat escapes, and the oven does not heat up properly. Ensure the oven door is closed correctly, and the door seal is in good condition.
3. Oven racks placed incorrectly: Check the oven racks are placed in the correct position; if they are not placed correctly, the heat may not be distributed evenly, causing an unevenly cooked meal. Ensure the oven racks are positioned right as instructed in the oven’s manual.
4. Dirty oven: A dirty oven prevents proper heat distribution, leading to uneven heating or failure to heat up. Clean the oven regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Faulty power supply: Sometimes, the electric oven may not heat up due to a faulty power supply, such as a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse. Check the power supply, reset tripped breakers, or replace blown fuses.

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