When Should You Replace Your Oven? 5 Important Signs

Photo of author

(Newswire.net — November 9, 2020) — We all love oven-baked recipes. From crisp cookies, to roast pork belly, to healthy pizza, there’s a lot that you can do in an oven. But since cooking in an oven can be quite intimidating and tricky, we tend to reserve baked recipes for special occasions. Hence, baked menus are always associated with holidays.

It seems that every recipe that comes out of the oven is baked to perfection. But once your tried and tested recipe turns out burnt or undercooked meals, it might be telling you that it needs repair or replacement. While repair is the first thing that comes to mind, it is not always the best option. Sometimes the cost of repair is more expensive than buying a new one.

Here are some of the most common signs that suggest your trusty kitchen aid might soon need a replacement. 

Burners fail to heat up properly

This is one of the telltale signs that suggest you need oven replacement. Regardless of the type of oven you have, the burners are the most important part of the appliance. If this heating element does not produce appropriate heat, it can either burn your food or fail to cook it.

For gas ovens, the most obvious sign that it’s not heating up properly is that the flame sparks from blue to yellow/red, or does not turn blue anymore. Cleaning the burner caps and the grates should resolve the problem. If after cleaning the stovetop the flame does not burn blue, you should have the unit checked by a service technician – and anticipate repair or replacement. 

For electric ovens and ceramic stoves, the coils should turn bright red when set on High heat. If it doesn’t, check for signs of rusting or corrosion that might inhibit the heating elements. Cleaning it up should solve the problem. Otherwise, you might need to consider replacing it.

Overcooked or burned recipes

If you’re having problems with your favorite baked recipe, chances are there’s a problem with the oven. The oven components can break or wear-out eventually, especially if it’s used very often. This can cause fluctuations in temperature, which can affect the quality of the baked dish.

A problem with the thermostat is a common cause of poor temperature control. It is unable to properly detect or regulate temperature and possibly needs replacing. Some units might have loose seals around the door due to wear and tear. If this is not resolved early, it can cause the oven to wear faster, thereby requiring early replacement.

Gas leak

A potentially dangerous problem, gas leaks can result in accidental fire or blow up the oven. When you smell any gas leak, do not use the oven. The smell is the first indication that there is a leak within the stove, the gas tank, or the hose that connects them. So, if you smell gas, make sure to turn off the gas tank immediately. Encourage airflow by turning on the exhaust or opening the windows. Check the tubing for potential disconnection or obvious openings. Carefully disconnect and reattach the regulator and tubes.

If the fragrant is still obvious, you might have to replace the hose and its attachment. Otherwise, the leak may originate from the oven, hence necessitating immediate troubleshooting by a qualified appliance repairman. If the problem persists and cannot be fixed, the oven needs replacement.

Un-cleanable oven

According Hartman’s appliance repair from Jacksonville, regularly cleaning the oven is vital to its lifespan. Leftover foods, grime, dirt, and other debris can build up over time that can lead to more serious problems. An un-cleanable oven may cause horrible smells not just with the unit but also with the food. It might also cause smoke to spew out every time the oven door is opened.

A dirty oven needs deep cleaning and scrubbing. But if you are unfamiliar with how to clean the heating element and the coil, it is best to ask a professional repairman. If you find these options a hassle, it is best to invest in a new oven model with an auto-clean function. This new feature can make life easier for you. 

Costly parts

Some oven problems cost less to repair while others can be very expensive. The control board is among the costliest parts of an oven. Replacing it would cost you anywhere from$100 to $500 depending on the model and brand of the unit. A replacement is much cheaper than having the part replaced. Likewise, oven door replacement can be costlier than buying a new unit. It is also unsafe to use it if you don’t have it fixed.

Observe your oven for any of these signs. If the unit begins to show these telltale signs, be ready to look for a replacement. Usually, older ovens will have these signs. Buying a new one might seem more expensive, but when it comes to ovens, you just want to put safety a top priority.