Kitchen Ranges
Unreliable Oven Temperature
Electric Ranges
Gas Ranges
Keeping the Right Flame
Troubleshooting
Electric Ranges
The range is not working
at all
One of the top elements
doesn't heat
A top element doesn't cook
well
You can't get the oven to
heat
The top rear element doesn't
heat
The oven doesn't hold the
temperature you set
The oven lamp doesn't work
The timer doesn't work
The oven door won't stay shut
Condensation forms inside
the oven
The accessory receptacle
on the control doesn't work
The oven stops self-cleaning
Troubleshooting Gas
Ranges
A surface burner doesn't light
The pilot flame doesn't remain
lighted
A burner is burning erratically
Oven stops lighting
Oven heats poorly
Food bakes unevenly in the oven
Oven overheats
Burners are producing soot
You smell gas
A kitchen range has electric elements or gas
burners that provide heat to the cooktop and oven.
Most gas ranges also have some electric features,
such as a clock and lights, and sometimes an electric
pilot.
- If your electric range or the electrical parts
of your gas range don't work, first check the
fuse or circuit breaker.
- Be sure the power cord and terminal block
on a freestanding range aren't defective. Replace
them if = necessary.
Unreliable
Oven Temperature
Unreliable oven temperature is a common complaint.
The thermostat that maintains oven temperature
is part of the oven control. If the thermostat
fails, have the entire control replaced. But if
it's only out of calibration, you may be able
to adjust it.
- To gauge the problem, place an accurate oven
thermometer in the center of a 350 degree oven.
- After 20 minutes, check the reading.
- If it's more than 100 degrees too high or
too low, replace the control.
- If the difference is less than 100 degrees,
pull the oven control knob off and locate the
calibration screw-either inside the hollow control
shaft or on a movable disc on the back of the
knob.
- Tighten or loosen the screw; keep testing
until the temperature is correct.
Electric
Ranges
The cooktop heating elements of most modern electric
ranges simply plug into a receptacle, allowing
for easy cleaning or replacement. The same is
true of the baking and broiling elements.
- In some ovens, you'll need to unscrew the
brackets from the oven wall and then unplug
the element.
- You may need to pull gently forward and then
remove the wires from the terminals.
- Finally, lift out the element.
- If an element isn't working, check for breaks
or bubbles on the smooth surface of the element.
- Also check for corrosion on the terminals, as well as for broken connections
and scorched wires or insulation near the element
receptacle.
- Safety Tip: Turn off the power to the
range or, if necessary, to the entire circuit
before making any electrical checks or repairs.
Gas Ranges
Whether on the cooktop or in the oven, a gas
burner that = doesn't work may lead you to a pilot
that has gone out. Pilots may be gas or electric
(in the latter, a spark ignites the gas). Both
types are easily relighted (see your owner's manual).
A gas pilot that continually goes out calls for
cleaning and adjusting and perhaps gas company
help.
Keeping the Right
Flame
The flame of a cooktop or oven burner should
be a bright, steady blue. If it's not, you'll
need to change the air-gas ratio by adjusting
the burner's air shutter.
- To reach the shutter for a cooktop burner,
lift off the cooktop.
- You can adjust an oven burner's shutter from
the compartment under the oven.
- If the flame is jumpy, loosen the screw securing
the shutter and gradually close it until the
flame burns properly.
- If the flame is a mixture of blue, yellow, and white, increase the air supply
by gradually opening the shutter.
- When the flame is properly adjusted, tighten the screw.
- CAUTION: If you smell gas and the pilots
are lighted, get out of the house immediately
and call the gas company from a neighbor's house.
- Be sure to turn off the power to a gas range if you'll be working on its electrical
parts.
Troubleshooting
Electric Ranges
The range is not working
at all.
Check for:
- No power reaching the range.
Remedies:
- Check the fuse box/circuit breaker.
- If you don't find a problem, call an electrician.
One of
the top elements doesn't heat.
Check for:
- Defective element, wiring, terminal block
or switch.
Remedy:
- Check each part for continuity and replace
it if necessary.
A top
element doesn't cook well.
Check for:
- Wrong sized pan.
- Damaged element.
- Defective element, wiring, thermostat or selector
= switch.
- The time is not set properly.
- Defective timer.
Remedies:
- Use flat-bottomed pans that just cover the
element.
- Replace the element.
You can't
get the oven to heat.
Check for:
- The oven is in its self-cleaning cycle.
Remedy:
- The extremely high power requirement during
cleaning may prevent the stove from working.
Remedies:
- Check each part for continuity and replace
any that are defective.
- Reread the instructions and reset it.
- Replace the timer.
The
top rear element doesn't heat.
Check for:
The oven overheats.
Remedy:
The oven
doesn't hold the temperature you set.
Check for:
- Damaged door gasket.
- Thermostat isn't calibrated correctly.
Remedies:
- Replace the gasket.
- Call a qualified contractor.
The oven
lamp doesn't work.
Check for:
- Burnt out bulb.
- Defective switch or wiring to the bulb socket.
Remedies:
- Replace the burnt out bulb with the same type
of oven bulb.
- Test the wiring and switch and replace defective
parts.
The timer doesn't
work.
Check for:
- Incorrectly set timer.
- Blown fuse in timer.
- Loose connections.
- Damaged timer.
Remedies:
- Check the instructions and reset it.
- Check the 15-amp fuse in the timer circuit.
- Turn the power off and check the other connections
for continuity.
- Replace the timer.
The oven
door won't stay shut.
Check for:
- Defective hinge or spring.
Remedy:
- Replace the defective pan.
Condensation
forms inside the oven.
Check for:
- Clogged vent.
- The door doesn't close properly.
- The oven doesn't preheat properly.
Remedies:
- Clean the vent. If there is an air filter,
clean or replace it.
- Check the gasket and door hinge springs.
- Preheat the oven with the door ajar.
The accessory
receptacle on the control doesn't work.
Check for:
- Blown fuse.
- Defective wiring.
Remedies:
- Check the 15-amp fuse in the accessory circuit.
- Check the wiring and replace any damaged wires.
The oven
stops self-cleaning.
Check for:
- Unlocked door.
- Defective door switch, wiring or thermostat.
Remedies:
- Try starting over again.
- Call a qualified contractor.
Troubleshooting Gas Ranges
A surface burner
doesn't light.
Check for:
- The pilot light is out.
- The gas isn't on.
Remedies:
- Follow the instructions for relighting the
pilot on your particular range.
- Call the gas company.
The pilot flame
doesn't remain lighted.
Check for:
- The pilot port is clogged.
- The range is in a drafty place.
Remedies:
- Use a small wire to clean the port.
- Try to prevent drafts near the range.
A burner is
burning erratically.
Check for:
- The burner is clogged.
- There is an incorrect mixture of gas and air.
Remedies:
- Clean the burner ports.
- Call the gas company.
The oven
stops lighting.
Check for:
- The oven pilot light is out.
- Defective thermocouple.
- The gas isn't on.
Remedies:
- Follow the instructions for relighting the
oven pilot on your particular range.
- Replace the thermocouple.
- Call the gas company.
The
oven heats poorly.
Check for:
- An incorrect mixture of gas and air.
- Defective safety thermocouple.
Remedies:
- Call the gas company.
- Replace the thermocouple.
Food bakes unevenly
in the oven.
Check for:
- Damaged door gasket.
- Clogged exhaust vent.
- Defective thermostat.
Remedies:
- Replace the gasket.
- Clean the vent.
- Call the gas company.
The oven
overheats.
Check for:
- An incorrect mixture of gas and air.
Remedy:
The burners are producing
soot.
Check for:
- An incorrect mixture of gas and
air.
Remedy:
You smell
gas.
Check for:
- The pilot is out.
- The gas line is leaking.
Remedies:
- Ventilate the room and relight the pilot.
- Call the gas company.
- Ventilate the room, extinguish all flames
and don't turn on any electric switches.
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