No one wants to think about replacing their oven. However, since ovens prepare the food we eat, they can pose a huge health and safety hazard if they’re running poorly or improperly. A broken oven rack or stove burner can also pose a huge risk for burns, too, so this is one home maintenance task you don’t want to neglect. If your oven seems to be on its way out, here are some key ways to know for sure that it’s time to shop for a new one.
You see visible rust
Modern ovens come equipped with a rust-resistant (and high-temperature-resistant) coating. However, very old models might not have a coating, and others may have had theirs scrubbed away through years of use and cleaning. While rust—which is a compound created when iron meets oxygen—is actually not considered harmful in small doses, no one wants a meal peppered with metallic flakes. More importantly, visible rust on components you can see may indicate corrosion deeper within, which could lead to a kitchen fire.
You have to constantly relight the pilot light
Older gas ovens are equipped with a pilot light, which you may recognize as the blue flame that ignites the gas emitting from the main burner. If you find yourself constantly having to relight the pilot light before you can start cooking, it’s a sign that your oven is nearing the end of its lifetime. Gas stoves with pilot lights tend to waste a lot of fuel and pose a safety risk, so you might want to consider switching to an electric model, anyway.
Heat is escaping from odd places
In a well-functioning oven, the heat should only exit from one place—a vent located near the top or bottom. If you can feel heat emanating from a place that isn’t the vent, it’s at least time to schedule an inspection. Oven-hot heat rolling out from around the door, underneath the unit, or behind the control panel indicates that the heating mechanisms are no longer safe, and the inner chamber is not properly insulated. It also means your utility bill will be significantly higher than it should be, and your food will take much longer to cook.
Areas around the oven are getting scorched
Pale, brown scorch marks (or circles) developing on your countertops or nearby cabinets are another indication that the oven’s heat is escaping the inner chamber and posing a safety risk. Peeling or yellowed paint on nearby cabinets is also a sign of a deteriorating, dangerous, and inefficient oven—so if you notice these signs in your kitchen, don’t hesitate to schedule a replacement.
Improperly fitting oven racks
Many people are confused why the oven racks that came with their oven are lopsided or tend to fall down. Why would the manufacturer install racks that are too big or too small for the unit? The answer to this riddle is that the racks did fit the oven perfectly, once upon a time. Prolonged, frequent use can cause an oven to flex outward, creating a bubble-like shape within the cabinet. This causes the rack tracks to pull slightly apart, which in turn causes oven racks to fall or slump. If your oven has become bowed from heat and use, there’s not too much that can be done other than a replacement.
Shop for your next oven at Garner Appliance & Mattress!
If you live in the Raleigh, Clayton or Garner area and think you might need a new oven, our team here at Garner Appliance & Mattress is ready to assist you. We pride ourselves on delivering personalized customer service that just can’t be matched by the big-box stores. Let us help you find the perfect new oven that fits your budget and lifestyle, so you can relax and enjoy great meals without worrying! To view our locations, click here.