Gas Grill Diy

How an electric oven works – can I fix it myself ?

An electric built in oven is the most common appliance to be found in UK homes. Normally measuring 600 x 600 they are fitted into a unit, usually underneath a worktop fitted gas or electric hob. They are pretty basic machines and can be repaired easily by a COMPETENT diy person, but if in any doubt, contact a qualified electrician or appliance repair company.

A very basic model will just have two control knobs along the front – one will be the function selector switch – for selecting grill or oven operation and the second will be the temperature control knob, usually marked out in degrees up to approx 200 and may also have a symbol for the grill which should be selected when grilling only.

A more sophisticated model will also include an electronic clock/timer, to enable timed oven operation. Inside the oven there are two heating elements, one is on the roof of the oven, this is the grill element, and one is hidden by a rear cover at the back of the oven, this is the main baking element. You may also see a fan shaped blade in the middle of the circular baking element, this is the part referred to when talking about an electric fan oven. This fan turns at high speed when the oven is working, to “swirl” the heat around the oven for a faster and more even spread of heat.

Also situated along the  back wall of the oven you may be able to spot a shiny metal tube, this is the business end of the thermostat. A thermostat is a long copper wire which measures the internal temperature of the oven and shuts off the heating element when the oven reaches the desired temperature as selected on the temperature control knob. If the oven temperature falls, due to the door being opened, or just naturally as the element has been switched off, then the thermostat will measure this fall and turn the element back on to ensure a nice even temperature within the oven.

The grill element on the roof of the oven does not usually have such a sophisticated temperature control. It usually has two settings, “high”, which means the full width of the grill will be used, or “low” which usually mean only half the grill will be used. The grill heats up very quickly and is ready for use in a few minutes and stays on at its selected setting until switched off again.

The three main components which I consider to be diy repairs are, the gill element, the oven element and the fan motor. All of these repairs require the oven to be removed from its housing and the rear covers removed to expose the components and wiring. These repairs are covered on my website www.diycookerspares.com.

Remember please, you know your own skills and limitations, if in any doubt please consult a qualified electrician or appliance repair company.

 

Will Pendry – diycookerspares.com

 

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