If you are one of those who face problems with your cooking range occasionally/frequently then you can fix them yourself at home. Yes, the good news is that it is simple and you can do it all by yourself without seeking the help of a professional. Here are the common cooking range problems that you can fix yourself at home. You are just one step away. Follow this guide and read through it till the end without skipping any of the points. Be glad as much as you can.
Related: Best Cooking Range in UAE – Brands & Prices Compared [2021]
1. Burner Doesn’t Turn On
If you use a gas cooking range and the burner doesn’t turn on in spite of you trying several times then try lighting it with a match stick. This is because your lighter may have stopped working or has an issue. So keep it simple initially. However, if the burner doesn’t turn on even by using a match stick to light it. Then, you will have to try out other alternatives that you can DIY. See if the following tips help. Begin lifting off the burner grate, burner cap and burner base. Next, clean your stovetop thoroughly from the burner grate to the burner case. This will remove all the food debris.
With the help of a toothpick or little compressed air, you can clean all the difficult-to-remove food debris out from the burner. Then try turning on the burner. If this doesn’t work then check the wires that connect the igniter to the control module. Ensure you reconnect and tighten any of the wires if loose. If the burner still doesn’t turn on then it is time you call a professional and allow them to inspect properly. If you use an electric cooking range and the burner isn’t turning on then it could be due to an electrical issue. Else, it could be due to a power outage. Try troubleshooting it. If you figure out that it is not due to any of these reasons then request a professional to come and check the range.
2. Burner Doesn’t Get Hot
Well, the next most commonly seen cooking range problems is that the burner comes on but it doesn’t get hot and if you experience this then here’s what you can do to fix it yourself. Ensure your stove is connected to a power source if it is an electric one. Yes, electric range burners require electricity to heat up. In fact, you should disconnect it from the socket and then reconnect it. A major reason why your burner doesn’t get hot or is not heating properly is because of a poor connection. But, if this doesn’t work that means the problem is something else. Don’t fret, we have a solution for those issues too. Firstly, switch out the faulty burner with a burner that is in working condition.
All you need to do is unplug the faulty burner from the burner socket and plug the working burner in. On doing this, if the working burner heats up that means the issue is with that faulty burner itself. So, you’ve got to replace it. However, if the working burner doesn’t heat up then that means the issue is with the infinite switch or the socket. Another thing you should consider checking is the socket as it can get burned or damaged after a while. Hence, if you notice that your socket is damaged or burned, replace it immediately. Once you replace the socket, test the burner again. If the burner still doesn’t work, then taste and replace the infinite switch.
3. Oven Light Won’t Come On/Interior Light Goes Out
If the oven light (also referred to as interior light) doesn’t come on after several attempts, simply change the bulb. Always remember, when the interior light goes out the next time you need to change the bulb. This would fix the issue. To remove the old bulb, turn it quarter-turn anti-clockwise and then pull it straight out, like any other bulb. Your new bulb should be of the same type as that of the old bulb. Wear gloves or use a dry cloth while inserting the new bulb in its place. Ensure you don’t take off the gloves or cloth till you are done handling the bulb. There you go, your oven will light up.
4. Door Doesn’t Shut
In order to have a safe and effective functioning of your oven at all times, it is necessary for the door to be shut throughout its operation. If you notice your oven door isn’t closing then in most cases it is due to a spring that needs replacement. However, follow all the steps below to not make any mistake. Simply unplug the oven and turn off the gas. Next, take the door off by simply pulling it straight up and out. If the oven door won’t pull up then unscrew any screws that are holding the hinges in place inside the oven. Carefully check the springs, hinges and under the bottom of the door to see whether any of the parts need to be replaced.
Mindfully look for broken door springs by sliding out the bottom drawer and change them accordingly if they need replacement. If you find broken springs then remove them with pliers. You should wrap the ends around two bolts. Replace these broken springs with new springs by rewrapping the ends of the new springs around the bolts. Lastly, replace the silicone or rubber gasket around the door. Your door will definitely shut. However, if the oven door still doesn’t shut then the issue might be due to the door’s sensor. Once it is confirmed that the problem is with the door sensor, go ahead and replace it.
5. Oven Doesn’t Heat Up at All
No matter how long you leave the oven of your gas cooking range on, if it is not getting hot then you’ve got to check the igniter. And just in case the electric oven of your electric cooking range is not getting hot then in most cases it could be because of some problem with the heating element. If your gas burners, as well as, the gas oven have stopped working then most probably the issue is with the gas line. However, if the issue is with the igniter or heating element then you can definitely fix it yourself. Here is what you need to do, follow this step by step.
First and foremost, make use of a screwdriver to remove the old igniter (gas range) or the heating element (electric range). Generally, you can access an igniter from underneath while heating elements are located inside the oven. To access your igniter, remove the broiler or storage drawer. Ensure you turn off the power to your oven before you give it for servicing. Try your hands to see what is the issue and try fixing it yourself. If it is a major issue then call a professional to check your gas line or electric heating element or connection and fix the issue.
6. Oven Doesn’t Heat to the Right Temperature
When you have set your oven to a certain degree and it doesn’t turn as hot as it should be. In other words, if it doesn’t attain the temperature you had set it to then that means there is something wrong somewhere. First and foremost, when you come across a situation like this where your oven doesn’t heat to the right temperature, it could be because the temperature sensor is too close or is touching the inside wall of the oven. This could be the reason your oven is not reaching the desired temperature. So, make some changes, shift the temperature sensor a little and avoid it from touching the oven wall.
If this doesn’t work for you, then consider checking the temperature sensor if it is functioning properly or not. Simply utilize an ohmmeter to check the temperature sensor. It is easy to test the temperature sensor probe on your oven. Remember that the resistance should increase as the temperature of the oven increases. Simply measure the resistance between the 2 prongs at the end of the sensor connector by keeping the sensor at room temperature. The resistance of the temperature sensor should read approximately 1080 – 1090 ohms at room temperature. If you get a reading that is far off from this that means the temperature sensor is not working and you will have to replace it. Replacement is mandatory if necessary.
Also, check for the heating element and gas igniter and replace them if they are faulty. Further, after you replace the temperature sensor/heating element/gas igniter, you will need to recalibrate the oven. By utilizing an oven thermometer you can whether the temperature is rising. Simply turn the oven to a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit and check it every 20 minutes. Do check every 20 minutes for the next 90 minutes to 2 hours. In order to obtain the average temperature of your oven, simply divide the total number of temperature readings by the number of times a particular reading was performed. In other words, divide it by the number of readings that you took. And then adjust the temperature dial of your oven accordingly.
7. Oven Stops Self Cleaning
One of the main benefits of owning a modern range is that they are loaded with features that make your life easier. You will also find it easier and quicker to cook thus saving you time. One of the best features is the self-clean cycle. Yes, these modern ranges are capable of cleaning themselves on their own. But, it’s sad when this self-clean option stops working as you will have to invest a lot of time and energy in cleaning it with your hands. Therefore, the minute you notice your self-clean option is not working, or if you experience the slightest trouble with it. Get to work.
Firstly, ensure that you are starting the cycle correctly. Secondly, check your knobs and timers and set them correctly. It may have so happened that something large in quantity spilt inside your oven. This will leave a layer of ash which you will need to clean manually. Once you check all these and fix/adjust/clean it (including the large spill) and if it still doesn’t work then you might be facing an issue with your control board, thermostat, door lock motor, switch or some other component. These issues might be responsible for keeping your oven from running the self-cleaning cycle. Try fixing it on your own but if you feel that it is a major issue then it is time you seek help from a professional.
You Can Do it Yourself (DIY)!
With all the step-by-step procedures and points, you have finally made it to the end of this DIY guide. Yes, you can fix your cooking range problems all by yourself. Just be mindful and vigilant while doing so. Please don’t rush as one single wrong step can be dangerous and increase/worsen the problem. Don’t hesitate to call the professional for major issues. Seek help when in doubt for your safety and the safety of your family members. Remember the phrase, better safe than sorry. Last but not least, here are some of the best cooking range brands for you in UAE. You’ve got to take a look at all of them as these will make a great addition to your kitchen.
