Troubleshooting for Electric Ranges
When your oven is on the fritz, don't reach for the phone! Read these troubleshooting tips for your electric oven. Maybe you can fix the problem yourself and save yourself some cash. At the very least, you can know just what the problem is and avoid being overcharged for services you don't need.
Problem
Food burns on the
outside; oven temperature exceeds set level; oven produces condensation on the glass window
Solution
1. Check to see if the exhaust vent to your range is blocked
2. Check to see if the gasket (the covered flexible seal inside the oven
door) is worn out. Contact your manufacturer for a replacement gasket or visit
your hardware store
3. Thermostat needs recalibration or replacement
Problem
Burner fails to
work
Solution
1. Check your breaker box to make sure you haven’t blown a fuse
or tripped a breaker
2. Contact a professional to test the component for replacement or rewiring
Problem
Food bakes on
one side faster than the other
Solution
1. If food is colder toward the front, check the gasket for wear. If the
seal is worn out, replace it
2. Check to make sure your range is level. The easiest way is to set a
plane level directly on the oven rac or try a shallow plate with a small amount
of water and see if it drifts to one side. Adjust the feet until the range is
level
Problem
Oven temperature
drops below set level;
food ends up soggy or frozen at center
Solution:
1. Thermostat needs recalibration or replacement
Problem
Oven or broiler
fails to work
Solution
1. Contact a professional to test and repair or replace the heating element. May also need to recalibrate or replace the thermostat, which will also require a professional
