If your oven is overheating it is most likely to be caused by a faulty part. More often then not it'll be your thermostat, cooling fan or oven element that is causing the problem. Read our guide to figure out which one is causing you a problem and how to get a replacement part.
A broken electric oven thermostat is most likely the cause of your electric oven's temperature fluctuation. Your oven thermostat is the oven part which regulates the temperature. If the thermostat is broken, it will no longer be able to keep the temperature at a stable level and will cause fluctuation.
Thermostat. The most common cause for your food burning to a crisp would be a faulty thermostat. The thermostat works to monitor and control the temperature in your oven, and when the desired temperature has been reached the element will switch off.
Place the multimeter on the thermostat. If the thermostat has a reading of zero or as close to zero as possible, it is working fine. However, if it has no reading at all, your oven thermostat is faulty and will need replacing.
If your oven is not maintaining the correct temperature, it could be due to a malfunctioning thermostat, a faulty heating element, or a malfunctioning temperature sensor. The issue may also simply be a need for calibration or keeping the door closed.
Keep a pizza stone in your oven to stabilize its temperature
As explained by the blog One Good Thing, keeping a pizza stone on the bottom rack of your oven is a handy way to help keep the appliance's temperature more regular — and thus help it cook your food more evenly and predictably.
Pull the temperature knob off your oven thermostat. Locate the screw(s) on the back. Turn the screw(s) clockwise to decrease the temperature. Turn the screw(s) counterclockwise to increase the temperature.
The cost of replacing an oven thermostat
On average, replacing a new thermostat cost ranges from $100 to $300. However, the cost can vary widely depending on several factors. The type of oven is one of the primary factors that determine the cost of replacing an oven thermostat.
Thermostat. It costs between $100 and $200 to repair or replace an oven thermostat. The thermostat is the most likely culprit if your oven isn't heating properly.
At the low end, replacing a temperature sensor would likely cost around $180 to $200. The most expensive repairs involve control board or control panel replacement. Sometimes, both the control panel and the electronic control board need replacing at the same time. That type of repair would likely cost around $1000.
If you open the oven door and the interior feels warm or hot, this can be normal. The oven interior is designed to retain heat, even several hours after the oven has been turned off after cooking. The interior light may have been left on. The bulb can put off enough heat to warm the oven if left on.
Burnt grease can cause huge plumes of smoke and a dirty oven catch fire easily if not looked after. Can a dirty oven affect the temperature? Yes, built-up dirt on your fans can stop them from working efficiently and in turn create an uneven spread of heat across the food you are cooking.
On average, you can expect your electric oven to last 13 years, these days, and your gas oven to last 15. But, like anything else, the more you use it, the quicker it will wear out. Daily use for a family of five will wear an oven out faster than just heating up a frozen pizza a couple of times a month.
Still, there is one factor that would warrant a replacement: its age. Oven ranges should usually last you around 10 to 15 years, so if your oven is over 15 years old, now could be an appropriate time to consider a full oven replacement.
If you have a faulty oven thermostat, you will know about it. As the heat is no longer regulated, this could cause burnt or even undercooked food - and nobody wants that!
Here are the signs to look out for to confirm you need to replace your oven thermostat: Temperature inside oven cavity seems to be far too hot. The temperature inside the oven does not reach the level you've set it to. There's no click when you turn the control knob.
Just like your cable modem, a digital thermostat needs a reset every once in a while to kick it back into shape and set it in proper working order. You will know when a reset is necessary because your thermostat will not be regulating the temperature of your home as well as it was before.
Most heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system thermostats have more than just temperature control buttons. They often have a reset button as well. Whether your HVAC system features a standard thermostat or a smart thermostat, you may discover a reset button on it.
Homeowners can determine if the oven is running too hot or too cold by using an oven-safe thermometer. After setting the oven to a normal temperature, like 350 deg, homeowners can insert the oven-safe thermometer to see what the real temperature is. An oven that is 375 deg is running 25 deg too hot.
The average cost to replace a thermostat in a home is $140 to $350, including the unit and professional installation. Thermostat prices range from $15 to $250, depending on the type, brand, and features. Nest thermostat installation costs $100 to $200 for labor if the unit is provided.