Creating and experimenting with new recipes requires precision that an overheating oven can’t deliver. Use the guide below to learn 8 possible causes for an oven that overheats, how long it should take your oven to cool down and tips for preventing overheating for next time.
8 POSSIBLE REASONS WHY YOUR OVEN IS GETTING TOO HOT
Your oven relies on complex processes and a variety of components to reach and maintain consistent temperatures, but there are a few potential causes that could be the source if your oven gets too hot. See 8 possible causes for an overheating oven below and learn what you can do to troubleshoot the problem.
1. NOT PROPERLY CALIBRATED
An oven’s temperature matching its settings is key to creating tender baked goods and flaky pies. Your oven may need to be calibrated if an oven thermometer doesn’t detect the same temperature as the oven’s settings. Consult your owner’s manual or the manufacturer's website to learn more about how to calibrate your oven.
To use a manual oven thermometer, place it in the center of your oven’s middle rack, then preheat the oven and check the thermometer once the preheat is finished. If the manual thermometer’s temperature is 15 degrees above or below the oven’s programmed temperature setting, you may need to recalibrate your oven.
2. BROKEN THERMOSTAT
A handful of components play a pivotal role in maintaining your oven’s temperature, and the thermostat is one of them. The thermostat communicates with the temperature sensor to turn heating elements on and off according to the oven’s temperature, but a broken thermostat can lead to overheating. If the temperature is still off after recalibrating your oven, the thermostat may be to blame. If you suspect the oven’s thermostat may be broken, consult a professional to inspect or replace it.
3. FAULTY HEATING ELEMENTS
Both gas and electric ovens use heating elements located at the bottom, top and sometimes back of the oven.These elements can endure daily wear and tear, but if they are damaged, knocked loose or too much grime is allowed to build up over time, they may not heat properly. Be sure to cut power to the oven prior to inspecting them for visible signs of wear.
4. DAMAGED TEMPERATURE SENSOR
An oven’s temperature sensor communicates with parts like the thermostat to influence oven functions and help regulate temperature, but a damaged sensor can throw off oven temperatures. Check that the temperature sensor is positioned at a 90° angle and not too close to any heating elements. Inspect the temperature sensor for damage to help determine if it’s the cause of an overheating oven.
5. WARPED THERMOSTAT KNOB
If your oven has a temperature control knob, rather than electric touch controls, the knob may have cracks or chips that misrepresent the oven’s true temperature settings. Inspect the knob for breakage and make sure it fits tightly in place. Purchase a replacement if necessary, as they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to install.
6. BROKEN COOLING FAN
The cooling fan in an oven helps cool the oven’s controls, but a fan caked with grime or one that’s malfunctioning may contribute to an oven overheating.Not all ovens include cooling fans, but those that do typically run the fan on high while heating to high temperatures and may continue running the fan once the cooking cycle is complete. A certified professional can inspect the oven’s cooling fan and let you know if it needs to be replaced or simply cleaned.
7. IMPROPER OVEN LINERS
Lining an oven rack or the bottom of the oven with aluminum foil can block proper airflow, obstruct vent openings and reflect heat to overcook foods, causing the oven to overheat. If you’d like to keep your oven clean, try using empty baking dishes or trays underneath the top rack to catch drips and spills.
8. BLOCKED VENTING
All ovens have a vent that allows some hot air to escape the oven cavity as cooler air enters the bottom of the oven. A vent working well can help keep oven temperatures consistent, but those blocked by grease build-up or bakeware won’t release heat properly and can cause the oven to overheat.
You can help keep your oven vent clear by sticking to a regular cleaning schedule and leaving at least a couple of inches between dishes and the walls of the oven.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE AN OVEN TO COOL DOWN?
If equipped, you’ll likely hear your oven’s cooling fan continue cooling the compartment and controls for several minutes after the bake cycle is complete. Cooling time can vary depending on the oven’s temperature, capacity, fuel type and surrounding environment, but it generally takes about 30–45 minutes to cool completely and can take up to an hour.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY OVEN IS STILL HOT LONG AFTER TURNING IT OFF?
If you’ve switched your oven off but it continues to heat, you may have a faulty part or parts that need inspecting. Your oven’s control board, heating elements, temperature controls or knobs and switches may be malfunctioning. Shut off your oven using your home’s electrical control panel, then consult a professional to help you find the source of the problem.
TIPS TO PREVENT YOUR OVEN FROM OVERHEATING
Overheating can lead to dishes that are undercooked in the middle, burnt on the edges or dry in texture. Follow the tips below to maintain your oven and help prevent overheating.
Don’t overcrowd the oven: try to leave a couple of inches between dishes and the sides of the oven. This promotes airflow and prevents bakeware from blocking vents that keep the oven from overheating.
Keep a regular cleaning schedule: wipe up spills and splatters as soon as possible, and aim to deep clean your oven every three months or so. This helps prevent grease and grime build-up that can impact the performance of your oven’s components. Plus, keeping the glass clean increases visibility so you can keep a closer eye on delicate baked goods.
Use proper bakeware: sometimes an oven that seems to be overheating is really overcooking food due to the type or size of bakeware used. Be sure to use the bakeware size and type recommended in the recipe and position the rack according to the type of food you’re cooking.
Test for recalibration when necessary: test your oven to see if it needs to be recalibrated. Bake one pan of refrigerated biscuits on a shiny aluminum cookie sheet with low sides following the packaging directions exactly. If biscuits are overly browned following the minimum cooking time, you may benefit from recalibrating your oven by following your owner’s manual instructions or consulting the manufacturer's website.
EXPLORE KITCHENAID® WALL OVENS
Upgrade your existing oven to aKitchenAid® wall ovenwhen the time is right for features that help you experiment, explore and multitask in the kitchen. Roast, broil or bake with confidence in a KitchenAid® single, double orcombination wall oven. Select wall ovens feature the Even-Heat™ True Convection that combines a heating element and fan to flake, crisp, brown and caramelize dishes. Plus, SatinGlide™ Roll-Out Extension Racks on select models provide easy loading for large or heavy dishes so you can explore a wider variety of recipes with ease.
LEARN MORE OVEN TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS WITH KITCHENAID BRAND
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