4 Common Cooker Problems & How To Fix Them
Common Cooker and Oven Faults
A cooker is one of the most important appliances in your kitchen and is something that most people use on a daily basis. Whether you are roasting some meat for your Sunday roast, boiling some water for your pasta or baking a cake for dessert; most people use their cooker at least once a day.
Therefore when your cooker starts to break down and cause you issues, it can put a real spanner in the works when it comes to going about your daily lifestyle. Not only can it cause issues when it comes to preparing meals for your household but it can also be a costly expense.
Furthermore, you need to diagnose the issue at hand and then work out whether it will be cheaper to repair or replace your current cooker. If you are unsure what type of problem your cooker is facing it is recommended that you get in contact with a local appliance repair specialist and proceed from there.
That being said, as appliance retailers who have come across their fair share of cooker issues over the years, we have come up with a list of four of the most common cooker problems which your cooker could be facing and some simple tips on how to fix them.
What are the common cooker faults?
Some of the most common cooker faults that we come across on a daily basis include:
The oven not heating up
The burner heating element is not working
The oven door won't shut
The gas burner heating element won't work
1. The oven isn't heating up
If your oven is not heating up there are some common faults that this may be occurring, this includes issues with the heating elements, the clock not being set and problems with the thermostat.
Heating Element
If your cooker oven is failing to warm up it is often because of a damaged heating element if it is an electric oven and a faulty igniter if it is a gas oven. Both of these repairs are complex issues that will require a qualified appliance repair expert, in order to repair it.
Clock Not Set
If the heating element of your cooker seems to be working fine, there may be a simple fix that most people don't even realize. Sometimes if the clock has not been set on the oven, the program will still think it is in "stand-by" mode hence the oven not heating up. Therefore all you need to do to amend this issue is to find your cooker manual and adjust the clock setting, confirming the new set time.
Thermostat
If you have checked that the heating elements of your cooker are working the clock has been set and the oven still isn't heating up, there may be issues with the oven thermostat.
2. The burner heating element isn't working
If your cooker's burner is failing to heat up whether it be a gas or electric hob, there are some common issues that typically cause these problems.
Faulty Block
A faulty block may be the reason why your cooker burners aren't working. You can check if your cooker is suffering from a faulty block by lifting the stovetop and having a look tos ee if there are any burnt wires or burnt metal. If this is the case you will need to get a qualified appliance repair specialist to repair or replace the faulty block.
Faulty Switch
Sometimes the stove switches that are used to turn the burners on and off can wear down and stop working due to old age. If the switch is the problem as to why your bruners won't heat u, you will need to get a professional to replace them with new ones.
3. The oven door won't shut
If the oven door doesn't shut there are a few reasons as to why this may be occurring including some fairly simple fixes that you can try.
Obstructions
Sometimes, debris, food particles or utensils can get stuck in the door's hinges or gaskets preventing it from closing properly. Simply check for obstructions and remove them.
Damaged Door Seal (Gasket)
The oven door is sealed by a gasket that ensures a proper seal to retain heat. If the gasket is damaged, worn out or has come loose it can lead to a door that won't close properly. You may need to replace the gasket to fix this issue, which is best sorted by getting in contact with a qualified expert.
Misaligned Door Hinges
If the oven door hinges are misaligned, the door may not close evenly. You may need to adjust the hinges to ensure they are properly aligned.
4. The gas burner won’t light up on the cooker
If the gas burner won't light up on the cooker there are some common reasons why this occurs.
Food debris
The accumulation of food debris such as crumbs and grease over the years is one of the most common reasons why a gas burner fails to ignite as the debris blocks the gas flow to the igniter. In order to amend this problem you will need to clear the blockage by cleaning your cooker.
A loose connection
There is a loose connection between the wires which connect the igniter to the control module, this will stop the spark needed to ignite the burner. To fix this problem you will need to speak with a qualified expert to help repair the issue at hand.
Conclusion
These are just some of the common cooker problems that most people experience with their cookers. That being said if you are unsure what type of problem you are experiencing or are unsure about how to repair the issue at hand, it is always best practice to speak with a qualified appliance repair specialist who will be on hand to help advise you on the best course of action as to whether repair or replace your cooker.
If your cooker is beyond repair and you are looking for a new one in the Croydon and Beckenham area, look no further than Budget Appliances of Beckenham. We proudly stock a huge selection of different types of high-quality and affordable cookers including gas, electric and dual-fuel cookers. We have a wide selection of all your favourite brands, ready to be delivered to your home including brands such as Bosch, Neff, Indesit and Hotpoint.
Visit our showroom in Beckenham or browse our wide range of cookers online. Our friendly and experienced team are always on hand to help meaning that if you require any help or have any questions about your new cooker, we will be happy to help. Call us on 020 8650 1300 today.
Frequently Asked Cooker Repair Questions
How do I know if my cooker is broken?
If you are starting to notice that some of the dishes you are cooking in your home aren't tasting as they should be; are taking longer to cook through than usual; food is coming out burnt or other cooking issues; it is a sign that your cooker is due a repair and the heating elements could be damaged.
What is the average lifespan of a cooker?
The typical lifespan of a cooker is around 13 - 15 years however some brands and types of cookers may last longer or shorter than this time period. If your cooker is causing you issues it is worth speaking to a professional cooker repairs specialist to decide on the best course of action.
What should I do if my oven stops working?
If your oven stops working completely, it is more than likely a fault with your power supply. You should check the source whether that be electric or gas and see if this is working properly. If the source is working correctly, the common problem for an electric oven would be a faulty heating element. If you own a gas oven it will be an igniter problem more often than not.