Has your GE oven prepared hundreds of meals to perfection but is no longer heating properly? With time, components like the igniter or thermal fuse can wear out or malfunction, resulting in uneven heating or no heat. Whether you have an electric oven not heating or a gas oven not heating up at all, we’ll review the common part malfunctions for a GE oven not heating and how to fix them to restore oven function.
How to Troubleshoot a GE Oven Not Heating Up
If you’ve experienced the frustration of preheating your oven only to find out it’s not heating up, you’re not alone. One of the most common issues with ovens is that they stop heating properly, or the GE oven won’t turn on at all. If you own a GE oven and it’s not heating up, there could be several reasons. Damage from the self-cleaning feature is a common cause. In this troubleshooting guide, we’ll take a look at some of the most common causes of a GE oven not heating correctly and provide some tips to help you fix the problem yourself. If the issue persists, it’s always best to contact a professional for further assistance.
Why Is My Oven Not Heating Up but the Stove Works?
There could be several reasons your oven is not heating up, but the stove works. If your oven isn’t getting hot, one possibility is an issue with the oven’s heating element or thermostat. These components regulate the oven’s temperature; if they malfunction, the oven will not heat up properly. Another possibility is that the issue is with the oven’s electrical circuit, such as a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker, which can prevent power from reaching the oven. It’s also possible that the issue is with the oven’s controls or thermostat, and the problem may be resolved by adjusting the oven’s settings or calibrating the thermostat. It’s recommended to check the owner’s manual for troubleshooting steps and to contact a professional for further assistance if necessary.
Why Is My Oven Heating Up So Slowly?
There could be several reasons why your oven is heating up slowly. One possibility is that the oven’s heating element or thermostat is not working properly, and this can cause the oven to take longer to reach the desired temperature. Another possibility is that the oven’s ventilation is blocked, which can cause heat to build up inside the oven, slowing down the heating process. It’s also possible that the issue is with the oven’s controls or thermostat, and the problem may be resolved by adjusting the oven’s settings or calibrating the thermostat. Also, a malfunctioning door seal can allow heat to escape.
Common Part Failures: GE Oven Not Heating Up
It may seem like there are hundreds of possibilities for a GE oven not heating properly, but an oven only has so many parts. The following list troubleshoots the most common components responsible in both gas and electric ovens to help make a quick repair.
Faulty Igniter
When your GE oven won’t heat up, a faulty igniter is one of the most common reasons. This vital component in gas ovens has to draw enough electricity to open the safety valve that allows gas to flow. Next, it must get hot enough to ignite that gas in the oven’s burner. The oven will not heat up if it cannot perform either of these functions.
To diagnose a faulty igniter, observe it as it tries to light the burner. A functioning igniter should take no more than 90 seconds to ignite the gas. It needs to be replaced if it takes any longer or if the igniter shows no continuity with multimeter testing.
Broken Bake Element
An electric oven’s bake element is a metal coil located at the bottom of the oven that provides heat for cooking. When wires inside the coil generate electricity, the coil glows red with heat. However, a broken bake element can exhibit these signs:
- An interrupted red glow
- Breakage to the metal coil
- Blistering or burnt spots
When this happens, you may notice your oven doesn’t heat evenly, and food is underdone in some areas and burnt in others. If multimeter testing shows that the bake element no longer has continuity, it requires replacement.
Damaged Broil Element
Similar to the bake element, the broil element is also a metal coil with wires that generate electricity to cook food. However, the broil element is located at the top of the oven. While it provides heat with the bake element for baking and roasting, when used on its own, it’s the sole source of the oven’s heat. This broil function produces a crisp and flavorful browning on the surface of food as it cooks through from the top.
A damaged broil element will exhibit the same visual signs as the bake element with blistering, breakage, or an interrupted red glow. This results in oven temperature problems with unevenly cooked food that’s underdone on top. A damaged broil element also requires replacement.
Blown Thermal Fuse
An oven’s thermal fuse will trip when the oven gets too hot to guard against a more serious malfunction. Once this happens, power cannot be restored to the oven until it cools to a safe temperature. Unfortunately, the fuse can blow if the oven temperature gets too high, also resulting in a GE oven not heating. A blown thermal fuse cannot be repaired and needs to be replaced.
How Do You Fix an Oven That Doesn’t Cook Evenly?
Are you tired of dealing with unevenly cooked meals in your GE oven? We’ve all been there, and it can be frustrating when your roast comes out perfectly cooked on one side and underdone on the other. But don’t worry. It’s a problem that can often be fixed with a little troubleshooting. We’ll go over some common causes of uneven cooking in GE ovens and give you some tips on how to fix them.
What Causes an Oven to Heat Unevenly?
Several factors can cause an oven to heat unevenly. Some of the most common causes include:
- Unevenly placed or sized cookware: If the cookware is not placed or sized correctly, the heat may not be distributed evenly.
- Malfunctioning heating element: If the heating element is not working correctly, the oven may not heat evenly.
- Faulty thermostat: A faulty thermostat can cause the oven not to maintain a consistent temperature.
- Obstruction in the oven: Any obstruction in the oven, such as an unused rack, can cause the heat to be blocked and not distributed evenly.
- Incorrect oven settings: If the oven settings are not properly adjusted, it can cause uneven heating.
- Age of the oven: An older oven may have worn-out parts causing uneven heating.
- Lack of maintenance: If the oven has not been properly cleaned and maintained, it can prevent the oven from heating evenly.
How Do I Know if My Oven Element Is Blown?
Uneven cooking can be caused by a broken or malfunctioning heating element. Several signs can indicate a blown oven element. Some common symptoms include:
- The oven is not heating up: If the oven is not heating up, the heating element may be blown.
- The oven is not heating evenly: If the oven is heating unevenly, it may be a sign that the heating element is not functioning properly.
- The element is visibly damaged: If you can see that the heating element is visibly damaged or has burn marks or cracks, it may be malfunctioning or broken.
- The element is not heating when turned on: If the heating element is not heating up when the oven is turned on, it may be blown.
It is recommended to unplug the oven, let it cool down, and not touch the heating element, as it can be extremely hot. It’s always best to consult the owner’s manual and contact a professional oven repair technician to inspect the oven and confirm if the heating element is blown.
A GE oven not heating can require some professional assistance. For the best oven repair Tampa technicians, call Appliance Repair Specialists.
