Quick fixes for common oven problems during the holidays

The holidays are all about family gatherings and delicious meals, but nothing derails your cooking plans faster than an oven that’s not working properly. Whether it’s uneven heating or a door that won’t close, these common oven issues can quickly disrupt your festive preparations. The good news? Many of these problems have quick and easy DIY fixes, so you can get back to baking those holiday treats in no time.

Heads up: Keep in mind that the tips here might not apply to every oven model. We aim to provide helpful advice for a variety of DIY fixes, but different models can have unique troubleshooting steps, error codes, and parts. For the best results, consult your appliance’s manual or reach out to us if you have any questions!

The oven won’t turn on

Few things are as nerve-wracking as an oven that refuses to heat, especially when the clock’s ticking. But there are a few things you can check out that might fix the problem.

Reset circuit breakers

If your oven’s dead, first make sure it’s getting power:

1. Find your breaker box: Locate your home’s circuit breaker panel.
2. Check the oven breaker: For electric ovens, there’s usually a double breaker linked with a metal clip. Flip both breakers off and then back on to reset them.
3. For gas ovens: There’s typically a single breaker. Reset it by turning it off and then on again.

A power surge or overload can trip the breaker, knocking out your oven’s power. Resetting it usually does the trick.

Inconsistent oven temperatures

Ever baked cookies only to find the edges burnt but the middle still raw? That’s a sure sign your oven’s temperature is off. Here’s how to troubleshoot and fix it:

Check the temperature sensor

The temperature sensor acts like your oven’s thermostat. If it’s not working properly, it can throw off the heat. Here’s what to do:

1. Make sure it’s positioned correctly: Open the oven and check if the sensor is touching the walls, this can affect how it reads the temperature. Adjust its position if needed.
2. Test the sensor: Use a multimeter to check its resistance. At room temperature, it should read around 1100 ohms, with resistance increasing as the temperature rises.
3. Replace it if necessary: If the readings are off, the sensor may be faulty and will need replacing.

If you’re unfamiliar with using a multimeter, online tutorials can walk you through the process step by step.

Calibrate your oven

If the sensor is working fine but your oven still isn’t heating accurately, calibration might help.

1. Grab an oven thermometer: Place it inside your oven and set the oven to a specific temperature.
2. Compare the readings: Once preheated, check if the thermometer matches the oven’s display.
3. Adjust the settings: If the temperatures don’t line up, consult your oven’s manual for instructions on how to recalibrate it.

A quick calibration can often solve minor temperature issues without needing to replace any parts. With these steps, you’ll be back to baking perfect treats in no time!

Faulty burners

If your oven’s not heating up at all, or if some burners are acting up, the heating elements or igniters could be to blame.

For electric ovens: test and replace faulty heating elements

With electric ovens, the heating elements should glow red-hot when they’re working right. Here’s how to check for a bad element:

1. Safety first: Unplug the oven to avoid any shocks.
2. Check the elements: See if there are any blisters, cracks, or breaks in the heating element.
3. Test it out: Use a multimeter to measure the element’s resistance. It should read between 10-50 ohms. If not, it’s probably bad.
4. Take it out: If it’s bad, unscrew it and gently pull it out, disconnecting the wires.
5. Put in the new element: Connect the wires to the new element, screw it back in, and replace any covers.
6. Plug it back in: Restore power and test to see if it heats up.

Make sure you’ve got the right replacement part by locating your appliance’s model number.

For gas ovens: test and replace the igniter

1. Test the stove burners: Turn on the stovetop burners to make sure gas is flowing.
2. Get to the igniter: Remove the oven racks and bottom panel to find the igniter.
3. Cut the power: Unplug the oven or shut off the gas supply.
4. Check out the igniter: Look for cracks or damage. Sometimes, an igniter glows but isn’t hot enough to light the gas.
5. Test it: Use a multimeter to measure resistance. Check your manual for the right values. If it’s off, you need a new one.
6. Swap it out: Unscrew the old igniter and disconnect it, then put in the new one.
7. Put it back together: Reassemble everything, plug it back in, or turn the gas back on, and test it out.

Always be careful when repairing gas appliances to avoid leaks or other dangers.

Broken door hinges

If your oven door won’t shut all the way, heat’s gonna escape, which means uneven cooking and higher energy bills.

Inspect and replace door hinges

1. Look for damage: Open the door and check the hinges for wear and tear.
2. Take off the door: Most ovens let you lift the door off its hinges. Check your oven’s manual for how to do it.
3. Swap out the hinges: Unscrew the old hinges and replace them with new ones.
4. Put the door back on: Line up the hinges and slide the door back into place.

Making sure the oven door seals properly is key to keeping the right temperature when you’re cooking.

Faulty control boards

If your oven’s display is blank, inconsistently off and on, or missing display segments, the control board might be bad.

Steps to replace a faulty control board:

1. Unplug the oven: Always kill the power before you start tinkering.
2. Get to the control board: Remove the back panel or control panel cover to find the board.
3. Check for damage: Look for burn marks or melted bits on the board.
4. Check the connections: Make sure all the wires are connected securely and aren’t corroded.
5. Disconnect the wires: Carefully unplug all the wires from the old board, noting where they go.
6. Install the new board: Hook up the wires to the new board and secure it in place.
7. Put everything back together: Replace any covers, plug the oven back in, and see if it works.

Swapping out the control board can fix all sorts of problems, like buttons that don’t respond or the oven not heating.

We’re here to help

The holidays are about good times and great food, not stressing over a broken oven. With these simple DIY fixes, you can tackle common oven problems and get back to what matters most, enjoying the season with family and friends.

If you need parts or more help, swing by AppliancePartsPros.com. We’re here to help keep your appliances running smoothly.Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more tips and updates. If you’ve got questions or need a hand, just give us a shout. Happy cooking!