At a Glance:
The Temperature isn't Reaching the Right Level
Since ovens are often used, they can develop problems after years of feeding family, friends, and guests. Parts begin to wear and tear or break down completely, yet, it is fortunate that some of these minor hiccups can be easily resolved without the need for outside assistance. You can fix these three common oven problems yourself. But how? Here we will explain that. It is possible, however, that your oven may develop further problems in the long run. So, should you replace it or fix it? Let's find out! Our experts at Johnnie's Appliances will help you answer whether an oven not heating up is worth saving or upgrading.
Oven Not Heating Up
The fact that the oven doesn't even heat up is obviously a serious problem, considering that is its main function. The reason for this might be one of several simple explanations.
Problem: A faulty igniter could be to blame if your gas oven won't heat up.
Fix: First and foremost, ensure you have turned the power to your oven off before servicing it. Find the igniter by consulting your manual; it often looks like a one- to two-inch metal module encased in an open-grid metal cage. You might be able to see the igniter inside the oven, or you might need to remove the bottom oven panel to get at it. The old igniter can be removed with a screwdriver.
The process of replacing an igniter varies from oven to oven, generally requiring you to disconnect the oven from power, remove one or two screws, unplug the quick-release electrical connection, and reconnect the new one.
Note: If your heating element is concealed, you may need to hire a professional to replace it.
Problem: Just like igniters for gas appliances, electric ovens can also develop problems with heating elements over time. Red glows from the heating elements are usually a sign of this problem.
Fix: First, test the oven's heating element, represented by the curved rod. As the element warms up, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Replace the element(s) if they fail to glow or don't glow at all. You can do this on your own in a few minutes if you have the right replacement part and a screwdriver or nut driver. Remove the covers, remove the screws holding the heating elements, replace the heating elements, and reattach the covers and screws.
Depending on the make and model, you can get a replacement for anywhere from $150 to $400. The heating element plugs into the oven's back and is often secured with a few screws. Refer to your owner's manual for information on removing and replacing the defective element. Before starting this fix, flip the breaker to "Off" to turn off the electricity to the oven.
The Temperature isn't Reaching the Right Level
You might have a problem with your oven if the food takes longer to cook or is undercooked when it comes out of the oven. A number of different factors might cause this.
Problem: An oven that does not heat to the appropriate temperature may have a malfunctioning temperature sensor. If the oven's temperature sensor is faulty or it is touching the wall, this can lead to this problem.
Fix: Don't touch the inside wall of the oven with the temperature sensor, as this will influence how accurately it measures the oven's temperature. If this is the case, ensure it is not in contact with the wall. You can test the sensor using an ohmmeter if it's still not heating. As the oven's temperature rises, the sensor's resistance should rise as well. The temperature sensor can be replaced easily and quickly, just as you can with a heating element or gas igniter.
Problem: If it is still not heating properly after checking or replacing the heating elements, gas igniter, and thermometer, it may simply need calibration.
Fix: Get an oven thermometer for six dollars, which you can use to test the oven's accuracy. During the next hour and a half to two hours, check the oven temperature every 20 minutes at 350 Fahrenheit (176.67 Celsius). You can calculate the average temperature by dividing the sum of the temperature measurements by the number of measurements you have taken. That will tell you how close it is to 350 Fahrenheit (176.67 Celsius). After that, you can adjust the oven's temperature accordingly.
The Food isn't Cooking Evenly
If some of the baked goods have golden, crisp crusts while others don't, your oven is probably not cooking evenly. If you want to find out whether your oven cooks evenly, bake a cake or roast a whole chicken.
Problem: When an oven won't heat or won't reach the right temperature, the heating elements and temperature sensor are the first items to check.
Fix: Check the heating elements' red glow and the temperature sensor's resistance while the oven is preheated. Replace either if they are not working properly.
Problem: Every oven cooks differently, so you may have to learn how to use it. However, if your oven isn't cooking evenly, the rack position or the cookware may be to blame.
Fix: Use reflective baking pans. Over time, if they have become discolored, try deep cleaning them or replacing them. Also, pay attention to how your oven cooks, so you can rotate or adjust the rack height as needed while food cooks.
The Best Ovens to Upgrade
If you have tried all of the fixes above but are still left wondering, 'Why isn't my oven heating up?' It might be time to replace it. Getting a new single wall oven or double can save you money in the long run while giving you a better cooking experience. To help you decide which model to choose, we've listed a few of the best below:
GE Profile™ 30" PTD7000SNSS Stainless Steel Electric Built In Double Oven
Make the right choice by choosing one of the top GE ovens on the market. With its advanced technology and sleek design, GE Profile™ 30" PTD7000SNSS oven offers a superior cooking experience. It has two built-in ovens to simplify cooking time. With its Precision Cooking Modes, this oven is able to cook even the most intricate dishes on autopilot. No matter your level of expertise, you can confidently cook any dish with its advanced technology. That gives you simple instructions and automatically adjusts the temperature and cooking time to deliver perfect results.
This GE Profile double oven also features a brilliant, interactive seven-inch touch screen that makes it fun and easy to program the oven. A few taps of the finger will let you select the cooking mode, set the temperature, and adjust the cooking time. Whether you are cooking roasts, turkeys, chickens, or other favorite foods for special occasions—this is the perfect system. With true top-down convection cooking, you'll get even heat distribution and deliciously cooked dishes every time.
Another time-saving feature is the No Preheat option, eliminating the need to preheat. Rather than waiting for the oven to heat up, you can get right to cooking with precision cooking modes. And if you love fried food but want to avoid the grease, the Hot Air Frying feature is a game-changer. You can achieve crispy, never greasy, fried food results in your oven without the oil. This feature is perfect for those who want to enjoy their favorite fried foods without the added fat and calories. Also, the GE Appliances Kitchen app allows you to control your double wall oven from anywhere and monitor it remotely with Anywhere Control with Remote Notifications.
Related: 7 Sleek Products from GE Profile Appliances
KitchenAid® 30" KOSE500ESS Stainless Steel Electric Built In Single Oven
In case you don't have room for double ovens in your kitchen—you can bring KitchenAid's stainless steel built-in single oven. Featuring Even-Heat True Convection technology, this single wall oven provides consistent heating and even cooking. With its bowtie-shaped lid and convection fan, it prevents burned edges and undercooked centers. Every time you cook your food in this oven, you can be sure it will be perfectly cooked.
Using its Temperature Probe—you can accurately measure the internal temperature of casseroles, poultry, and meat without opening the oven door. This ensures that your food is cooked just the way you like it. The KOSE500ESS also comes with the FIT System Guarantee. So, you won't have to replace your cabinets to install the wall oven since flexible design elements allow it to be customized to match the height of existing cabinets.
Featuring bold design details, the oven combines elegance and functionality. Kitchenaid's brand medallion and KitchenAid Badge are prominently displayed, giving the oven a professional appearance. Satin Textured Handles, Precision Touch Controls, and Chrome Inlaid Frame enhance the appliance's aesthetic appeal.
In addition, the Kitchenaid oven's extra-large capacity of 5.0 Cubic Feet provides extra space for large turkeys and roasts, as well as the ability to prepare a number of dishes at once, saving you time and effort.
Café™ 30" CTC912P2NS1 Stainless Steel Electric Built-In Oven/Micro Combo
With the Café CTC912P2NS1, cooking flexibility and versatility are redefined. This five-in-one oven is backed by the strong reputation of Café appliances. With Advantium technology, this Café microwave oven combo can function as a microwave, convection oven, toaster oven, precision cook oven, and warming/proofing oven.
Because of its innovative technology, the upper oven cooks your favorite dishes twice as fast as a conventional oven. Plus, the steam cook makes it easy to prepare rice and vegetables without fuss, allowing you to easily prepare healthy meals.
While thanks to the true convection system in the lower oven, it delivers perfect bakes every time. With its roller rack, the oven rack is designed to handle even the heaviest dishes and stays in the oven throughout the self-cleaning process. In general, this microwave oven combo is unmatched in terms of versatility and flexibility, it lets you experiment with various cooking methods to achieve the perfect meal, and its combination of speed and quality is sure to make cooking even more enjoyable.
Is your oven not heating up, and now you need help from a repair team? It's no trouble! Johnnie's Appliances has qualified appliance repair professionals throughout most of Los Angeles County and some of Orange County. Whether it's a simple repair or time to replace your old and broken oven, we would be more than happy to help you. Explore our large selection of ovens to discover your ideal model from a variety of manufacturers, like Cafe, GE Profile, or KitchenAid, for your Downey or Signal Hill home.
Why Trust Johnnie's Appliances?
Johnnie's Appliances has been providing Signal Hill and Downey, California areas with incredible customer service and expert appliance support since the 1950's. You are not a customer, but family, from the moment you step into the store. The family-owned business made a commitment years ago to have the most knowledgeable professionals assist you with your appliance purchases.
From sale and delivery to installation and service, Johnnie's Appliances is your one-stop appliance store in California. Specializing in scratch and dent appliances and clearance items, Johnnie's Appliances can help you find your favorite appliances for sale so you can get them at a discount. The best part? They service what they sell, so any breaks, appliance repairs, or issues can be resolved at Johnnie's!
Shop Wall Ovens at Johnnie's Appliances
Stop by the Signal Hill or Downey, CA appliance store locations to see what a difference buying local with an experienced staff can make. Or shop wall ovens online! Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find the reasons why your oven is not heating up — whether you call us at 562-861-3819, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.