If you are someone who relies on your convection oven for meal preparation, the last thing you would want is for it to break down. While an appliance repair professional is a call away, you should be familiar with the common issues and how to fix them. Sometimes, convection ovens simply stop working without any signs & symptoms. To help you get through the situation, we will list down a few tips that will get your oven running back to normal in no time.

Check The Power Supply

If your convection oven is not working, you should start by having a look at the power supply. Sometimes, the problem is not the unit itself but the power outlet. However, if the oven happens to be old, the wires could lose their strength and might also catch fire.

In such a situation, you should inspect the wires for cracks and damage. If everything seems fine, you should change the power outlet. If the oven starts working, it means the power outlet is the problem and you will need to replace it.

But if that does not work, you will need to check the main power supply or the circuit breaker. Circuit breakers have fuses installed that act as a safety feature in case of a power surge. If the fuses are worn and the circuit breaker has tripped, the oven will not be able to receive enough power supply.

You can try replacing the fuses and flipping the switch on the circuit breaker but even if that does not solve the issue, you will need to check for other problems.

Check The Bake And Broil Elements

One of the most common issues in convection ovens that impede performance is the bake and broil elements. The problem with electrical components is that they can give up without showing any signs or symptoms. If the oven happens to be old, the baked and broiled elements might have burned out due to wear and tear.

If you notice that your oven is not heating up to the desired temperature, it means the bake and broil elements are most probably gone. Although the bake element is located at the bottom while the broil element is located at the top, depending on the make, model, and variant of the oven, the locations might differ.

The best way to know is to consult the user guide. You will need to access the elements and inspect them up close and visually for any damage. Normally, the bake and broil elements should be glowing red. If one of the two elements or both are bad, you must replace them.

Thermostat Issues

If you were not aware, a convection oven comprises several different parts. One of the most important components is the thermostat. Ovens have sensors installed that keep a check on the temperature inside and adjust accordingly. With time, the thermostat can also malfunction.

If you have installed an aftermarket thermostat, you will need to check if it is either working properly or needs to be calibrated. Unfortunately, visually inspecting the thermostat might not get you the answers you expect. You can put a thermometer or a similar device inside the oven and later match its readings with the readings of the oven’s thermostat. If they don’t match, replace the thermostat.

Plus, a thermostat cannot be repaired. So, do not be fooled by someone just trying to make some money. A thermostat can be calibrated, however. But if a thermostat can be fixed or calibrated, there is no guarantee it will work for long. So, opt for a replacement.

Control Board Issues

The majority of the home electronic appliances come with a control board installed. The control board is where everything takes place. Every component inside the oven is connected to the control board and uses signals to communicate and receive information. Even though control boards are rigid components and do not malfunction easily, when they do, your oven will stop working.

Control board problems occurs because of power surges. Even though there are fuses inside as well that help protect it if the power surges are extreme, the fuses will not be able to stop the impact. In the case of a control board malfunctioning, you will need to replace it as it cannot be repaired.

You should hire a cooktops repair Springfield technician for the replacement of the control board. Because control boards are not cheap and they all might look the same from the outside but differ based on the oven variant. So, an expert can help you opt for the exact replacement.

How To Prevent Convection Oven Problems?

Convection ovens just like other household appliances need regular maintenance. If you use the convection oven daily, multiple times throughout the day, you will need to ensure it is well-kept. Most homeowners are not even aware of the fact that convection ovens need maintenance only to end up in expensive repairs and replacements.

Fortunately, maintaining convection ovens is quite easy. All you need to do is grab a cleaning agent and use a soft cloth to wipe away all the oil, grease, and accumulation. If ignored, the leftover food items might end up inside the unit and create problems.

That said, you should maintain a maintenance schedule and hire an expert to perform the task. Professional maintenance doesn’t mean only cleaning. A professional will thoroughly inspect the unit and repair or replace components if there is a risk of the unit breaking down in the future.

It might be that you perform the maintenance yourself but without the proper tools and skills, you might not be even able to spot minor problems. Therefore, instead of saving a few hundred dollars, invest them into your convection oven and live a trouble-free life.

How To Clean A Convection Oven?

Using the right tools is not enough for maintaining a convection oven. You will need the right skills as well to ensure you do not damage anything during the process. To begin with, make sure the oven is turned off from the main power supply and isn’t hot. If it is, you will need to wait for it to cool down.

Wear gloves and other safety equipment and grab the tools needed to remove the panels. While cleaning the oven, make sure that you are careful with the delicate areas and parts. Do not overspray the components with the cleaning agent and use a gentle scrubbing technique to remove the dirt, oil, grime, etc.

Once you are done cleaning, allow the unit to dry. Keep its door open and leave to air dry from a few hours to a day. Then, re-plug the unit. If possible, use a torch to check everything is working fine. Finally, re-install the panels and double-check to make sure everything is in place. Turn it on and check if it’s working fine.

Conclusion

Convection ovens are known to run into problems but you should not panic. Instead, keep the tips mentioned above in mind to troubleshoot and prevent the issues from taking place. Moreover, get an oven repair Alexandria expert to inspect your oven and fix the problem. Even when it’s fine, consult them for maintenance annually. And follow the user guide to keep the oven running flawlessly in the future.