OVEN OVERHEATING: POSSIBLE CAUSES AND WAYS TO TROUBLESHOOT
You rely on your oven to deliver just the right amount of heat for your family’s recipes, but an oven getting too hot can make it hard to know when food is ready for the table. Read the guide below to learn about signs of overheating, discover seven possible causes and get tips on troubleshooting your oven’s thermostat.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR OVEN IS OVERHEATING?
Cooked food can often be the warning sign of an overheating oven. Recipes like baked goods may brown excessively and become dry and crumbly, while meats may be dry and tough to bite into. Test your oven for overheating by using an oven-safe thermometer to compare the true temperature of the oven cavity with the temperature indicator on your oven.
WHY IS MY OVEN OVERHEATING?
Simple adjustments like routine cleaning and more optimized dish placement can help prevent overheating. Your oven may also simply need a recalibration. However, some causes demand more extensive troubleshooting and possibly even replacement oven parts. See seven possible causes below to start troubleshooting an overheating oven.
1. BROKEN TEMPERATURE SENSOR
Your oven’s temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the oven cavity, signaling the thermostat to switch heating elements on and off accordingly. A broken temperature sensor may gauge the temperature as lower than it really is, causing the oven to continue heating and food to overcook. Check that the temperature sensor is securely in place and doesn’t look damaged. Refer to your owner’s manual for the location of your temperature sensor.
2. BROKEN THERMOSTAT
The thermostat works with the temperature sensor to switch the heating elements on and off, helping the oven reach, then maintain, its set temperature. A damaged thermostat may not receive or send signals correctly, leading to an oven that overheats.
You can check your oven’s temperature by placing a manual oven thermometer in the center of the middle rack. Once the oven reaches your set temperature, check the manual thermometer to see if the temperature matches your oven’s indicator. If the temperature is off by more than 15 degrees, you may need the help of a professional to replace the thermostat and temperature sensor.
3. DAMAGED HEATING ELEMENTS
Heating elements are typically located at the top, bottom and sometimes back of the oven, and may incur damage over time. To check heating elements for damage, cut the power to the oven and allow it to cool before inspecting the elements for looseness and visible signs of damage.
4. LOOSE THERMOSTAT KNOB
On applicable models, you can rotate the oven’s thermostat knob left or right to increase or decrease temperature settings, but a damaged or loose knob can misrepresent what temperature the oven is actually set to reach.
Check that the oven knob is securely in place and inspect it for any cracks or chips. If you notice the knob doesn’t fit tightly or seems damaged, it may need replacing. Luckily, thermostat knobs are typically inexpensive and relatively simple to install.
5. BLOCKED VENT
The oven vent allows small amounts of hot air to escape as room air enters the oven at the base of the door. This process ultimately helps keeps temperatures consistent throughout the oven.
Your oven vent may be blocked by grease and grime build-up, or obstructed by large dishes and baking trays. You can help prevent overheating by thoroughly cleaning the vent and being careful to leave it unobstructed while cooking.
6. FAULTY COOLING FAN
Your oven may have multiple fans with unique functions, but some ovens are equipped with a cooling fan specifically designed to help keep the controls from heating up during use. An oven’s cooling fan will likely run on high when cooking at high temperatures and could continue running after the cycle finishes to get the temperature back down. A faulty cooling fan may need to be cleaned or could need replacing. Contact a professional to help diagnose problems with the cooling fan.
7. MALFUNCTIONING SELECTOR SWITCH
An oven’s selector switch receives temperature signals from the thermostat and cues the heating elements to increase or decrease heat accordingly. A short in the selector switch may lead to miscommunication that could result in an oven overheating. Testing the selector switch requires access to the oven’s wiring, so this is a task best left to a professional.
HOW can YOU troubleshoot AN OVEN THAT’S GETTING TOO HOT?
You can troubleshoot an overheating oven by first inspecting it for simple causes—like grime build-up, a blocked vent or misplaced cookware. Next, try calibrating your oven—then move on to investigate more complicated causes like a malfunctioning temperature sensor and thermostat or a faulty cooling fan.
HOW can YOU troubleshoot A GAS OVEN THAT’S OVERHEATING?
A gas oven can overheat if it isn’t getting the right amount of gas from the supply line. Double-check that gas valves are turned on and functioning properly. You may need the help of a qualified technician to inspect gas lines if you suspect that a faulty gas supply is the source of high oven temperatures.
HOW DO YOU deal with AN ELECTRIC OVEN THAT’S GETTING TOO HOT?
Aside from inspecting a gas supply, most causes of an overheating oven are common between gas and electric models. You can troubleshoot an electric oven overheating by first clearing off grime from the thermostat sensor, vent and cooling fan.
Once you’ve addressed simpler solutions, move on to inspecting the heating elements, cooling fan, temperature knob and temperature sensor for damage. You may need a professional’s help to access some of these parts. Test the thermostat’s accuracy with a manual oven thermometer and look for signs of a damaged selector switch.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR OVEN THERMOSTAT IS BROKEN?
Over or undercooked food may be the first indicator of a broken oven thermostat, but you can test your oven’s temperature to find out if it’s getting up to and maintaining the proper temperature.
Place a manual oven thermometer in the center of the middle rack of your oven, then set the oven to heat to a specified temperature. Once preheated, carefully check the manual thermometer. Your thermostat could be broken if the manual thermometer and oven thermometer temperatures differ by more than 15 degrees in either direction.
EXPLORE MAYTAG® OVENS
When it's time for a new oven, you can expect Maytag® ovens to deliver the durability, power and heat you need to get dinner ready on time. Select models feature the Precision Cooking™ System that combines Precise Preheat, Precise Bake and Precise Broil functions for quick, evenly cooked meals. Plus, all Maytag® ovens feature heavy-duty roll-out racks that slide out smoothly so you can tackle heavy, awkward dishes without a struggle.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OVENS WITH MAYTAG BRAND
-
Wall Oven Sizes: A Guide for the Perfect Fit Having trouble figuring out your wall oven dimensions? This guide can help you learn about standard wall oven sizes so you can get the right fit for your kitchen. -
What Is a Convection Oven? Learn what a convection oven is and compare the benefits of convection vs. conventional ovens. Our guide will help you find the right oven for your home. -
How to Choose From Different Types of Ovens There are 8 types of ovens to choose from including conventional, convection, microwave and toaster. Learn more to find out which oven is best for your kitchen.
