You've set your gas oven to pre-heat at 350 degrees while you carefully align the final sheet of your much-complimented layer cake. You place the cake in the oven and start cleaning up the cake batter and frosting in the kitchen counter. After a quick chat with a friend, you turn the oven light on to see if the cake is rising. It's not. Opening the oven door, you understand the temperature in the oven hasn't risen above the temperature in the kitchen. Why won't the oven heat up? To understand that, you should probably understand how a gas oven works.
How gas ovens work
When you select the bake or broil function on the gas oven, the control sends 120 volts of alternating current to the bake or broil igniter or spark electrode. The igniter is wired to some safety valve, and as the component gets hot, it draws a heightened current, or amps, with the valve. A bimetal arm inside the valve reacts to the heat generated through the amps which causes the arm to flex and open, releasing gas in to the oven's bake or broil burner tube. The igniter or spark electrode then ignites the gas right into a flame to heat the oven. An igniter will remain on to keep the safety valve open until the oven reaches the designated temperature. A thermostat sensing bulb, or an oven sensor, monitors the temperature so when the selected temperature is reached, the control will turn off the voltage to the igniter. The bimetal arm inside the safety valve will then close, turning off the gas supply towards the burner. This cycle is repeated throughout the baking or broiling process to maintain the proper temperature.
Keep in your mind, the temperature designated through the control is only an average; the particular temperature will fluctuate through the cycle. Convection ovens will reduce this fluctuation using a motorized fan, with or without its very own heating element, to circulate the heated air evenly throughout the oven cavity.
Top explanations why a gas oven won't heat
Provided the number or oven is receiving incoming power and other components (such as light bulbs and cooktop burners) seem to be working properly, the most likely causes why the oven won't heat are:
- Faulty igniter – Over time, an igniter can weaken and fail to open the safety valve correctly. You need to remove any covers or shields and, after turning the oven on, observe whether or not the igniter begins to glow. If the igniter does start to glow, but the burner doesn't light within ninety seconds, the igniter is probably faulty. You can use a multimeter to check the igniter for continuity – a continuous electrical path present in the part. When the igniter tests negative for continuity it has failed completely and can need to be replaced.
- Damaged spark electrode – Some range ovens will use a spark electrode to ignite the gas in the burner tube similar to a spark plug. Any cracks within the porcelain housing or damage to the electrode tip could indicate that the component has failed.
- Defective thermostat – As noted earlier, the thermostat monitors the oven temperature and determines once the voltage should be shut off to the igniter. If the thermostat is defective, the igniter might not receive any voltage at all. Just like the igniter, you can use a multimeter to assist determine if the part has electrical continuity or not.
- Loose or burnt wire connection – An igniter or electrode power wire will commonly burn out near the heat source and appear visibly damaged. You should confirm the wire is free of damage and also the wire connector is secured.
- Defective safety valve – Although it's not a common problem, the bimetal arm inside the safety valve may neglect to open, preventing gas from entering the burner tube. Again, you can use a multimeter to test the valve for continuity that will determine if the valve has failed electrically.
- Malfunctioning oven control board or relay board – If you have ruled out the failure of other oven components, then it's possible the oven control, or relay, board is malfunctioning. As the board cannot be easily tested, you can always inspect it for signs of burning or a shorted-out component.
Find the right gas oven parts with Repair Clinic
Repair Clinic stocks all of the replacement parts that can keep your gas oven baking and broiling not surprisingly, including igniters, spark electrodes, thermostats, oven sensors, oven safety valves, and oven control boards. Go into the full model number of your range or wall oven in the Repair Clinic website search bar to see a complete list of compatible parts, then make use of the part category and part title filters to narrow the list down to identify the exact part you'll need. While Repair Clinic carries parts that suit ovens from top brands like GE, Bosch, KitchenAid, Electrolux, LG, Kenmore, Samsung, and Hotpoint, you'll want to make sure you're selecting a part that's directly related to your specific range or oven model.
