Appliance Repair Tips - Stoves
If the stove bake or broil....
If neither the bake nor the broiler heating elements heat, but the range burners still work, the clock may be set for a timed or self-cleaning cycle. Check to be sure the clock buttons and knobs are set properly. If your clock has a knob that says push for manual push the knob in and try the baking and broiling elements again. If it still does not operate properly, you probably have a defect in the thermostat, selector switch, or common wiring.
If the unit does not have a separate bake/broil/etc. selector switch, the problem may be with the thermostat. But it's not easy to check the selector switch or thermostat for proper operation. If you suspect a problem in this area, call a qualified appliance technician.
The door won't close...
If the door has gotten bent or warped (maybe you rested something heavy on it…), you need to remove the door, disassemble it, and straighten it. You can lift most oven doors off of their hinges by opening the door several inches to its first stop, and lifting the entire door straight up.
If the hinges have become worn, damaged, or bent, you probably need to replace them. We recommend replacing both hinges at the same time, to prevent uneven wear of the undamaged hinge.
Self-cleaning problem...
The self-cleaning system on a gas is fairly complex. To be able to set and use the self-cleaning feature, you need to read and understand the owner's manual. If you have problems with this system, call a qualified appliance technician.
GAS SMELL !
Warning...if you smell gas coming from your unit, you may be in danger! You may, of course, get a brief whiff of gas as you light a surface burner...but if you smell gas at any other time...turn off the gas to the appliance IMMEDIATELY. Then call your local gas company and ask them to pinpoint the source of the gas. If the problem persists have a qualified appliance technician disgnose it.
ELECTRIC - If your burners are not heating
Make sure they are sitting in their proper positions & if the power is getting to the unit. Does anything turn on? If not, check for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker.
Often the main wiring connection from the house, at the stove, gets burned out and so breaks the connection. Then you may have to replace the power cord to the stove & the terminal block that the wire is attached to. There may be a broken or burned wire at the back of the stove. If you repair any of the wires, use only proper appliance-grade wire and wire connectors.
Heating elements eventually burn out. Sometimes when an element burns out, you can see that the coil burns in two or blisters and bubbles.
When your stove heating element burns out, you have ti replace it because they are not repairable. If when the heating element burns out, the infinite switch that controls it also fails, you have to replace it too.
Gas- If the top burners are not lighting...
A gas unit will need the pilot light adjusted or relit from time to time, but most problems with this type of range should be left to a appliance technician. You can, however, clean the burner ports with a paper clip when your burner flames are uneven. Check your surface burners to see if they have removable caps and wash them in a mixture of ammonia with hot water. When your burner flames are too high, noisy, or the flame is yellow, have the gas company adjust the air gas mixture. When your pilot light is lit and properly adjusted but a burner will not light, it is often because the burner or pilot ports are clogged. To clean them you will need to lift the top of your unit and lift out the burner assembly. Use a straightened paper clip to unclog the burner and pilot pots and then wash the burner head in ammonia mixed with hot water. Thoroughly dry the burner head before you replace it to insure that moisture will not interfere with it lighting.