Many times, when an oven stops working, it's simply because there was a lack of maintenance. It could easily have been prevented, which is why Landmark Home Warranty has created this list of oven maintenance tips.
Clean Your Oven
This maintenance tip seems obvious, but sometimes it’s easier said than done. When you spill food while cooking, make sure to clean it up as soon as possible. You should clean the inside of your oven three to four times a year.
Don’t use the self-cleaner option on your oven, as it can actually burn out your oven’s mechanical and electrical parts faster! Instead, use these tips to clean your oven without heat.
When you’re cleaning, make sure to do a thorough clean of your cooktop or range as well. We have provided some tips on how to clean your range with this article. While you’re cleaning, be careful! Unplug the appliance and don’t take off the knobs to clean – you can cause an electrical short by doing this.
Maintain and Lubricate the Blower Motor
A blower motor is an important part of an oven. It runs a fan into the oven that blows the hot air around, maintaining a set temperature for even baking. If your oven needs lubrication on its blower motor, you should be adding oil to it every 6 months. Read your oven owner's manual to learn exactly what type of oil you’ll need and how to apply it.
Be Gentle with the Glass Door!
Glass oven doors shatter if you don’t take care of them. When you hit your glass oven door, tiny fissures can begin, and with warm temperatures inside of your oven and continual stress on the glass, your oven’s door may eventually shatter and break! Make sure to never hit your glass oven with a kitchen utensil or shut the oven door without pushing your pans all the way into the oven.
Inspect Your Oven
As you’re using your oven, make sure to pay attention to any signs that may spell trouble. If you have one spot on your electric heating element that’s brighter than the others, that doesn’t bode well for the lifespan of your range. We have two articles that you can use to troubleshoot common problems with your oven:
For electric oven troubleshooting tips go here.
For gas oven troubleshooting tips go here.
Give Your Oven Space
Ovens need airflow, and if you have dirt, dust, or something else blocking that airflow, it can cause your oven to fail prematurely. Make sure to clean around your oven and don’t let clutter build up around the appliance. Keep the motor (which is located on the back side of your oven) clean from dirt and dust by vacuuming the back of your appliance.
Calibrate Your Oven
One of the most important parts of maintaining your oven is having the temperature match the temperature you choose on the control panel. Use an internal oven thermometer to calibrate your oven’s temperature. Check the thermometer every 10 to 15 minutes after preheating, and if you find a huge temperature shift (50 degrees or more) see if your owner’s manual has information about recalibrating your oven.
Ovens can fail even with maintenance. This is where a home warranty can help!
Here at Landmark Home Warranty, we know better than anyone that even with proper maintenance, an oven can get old and stop working from normal wear and tear. If your oven breaks down from normal wear and tear, and it has been correctly maintained, Landmark Home Warranty will repair or replace it for a small service call fee.
If you are interested in getting a home warranty, take a look at our plans here.
