RANGE/STOVE/OVEN COOKTOP Repair

RANGE/STOVE/OVEN COOKTOP

How To Fix It?

Whether you’re working on your latest batch of brioche buns or simply heating up some soup later for lunch, the oven and stove are huge assets in the kitchen. When this crucial appliance stops working properly, you may be able to get through the week with just the microwave, but it’s hardly a sustainable alternative. That’s why it’s so important to have your oven and stove or range frequently serviced and maintained, as well as to have contact with a qualified appliance repair technician who can promptly help out with repairs as necessary.

Common Range Problems

In all kitchens with a range, you’ll see either a stove with gas-powered burners, or an electric induction cooktop. Both have their pros and cons, as well as their differences, but one thing is the same—you count on them to work properly as a part of your routine. Here are some of the most common issues we run into in the course of our work servicing electric ranges and cooktops.

- Electric burners aren’t heating up

If one of the burners on your induction cooktop isn’t getting hot, it could be because of one of two reasons. Either the burner itself has broken, and must be replaced, or the connecting hardware, such as the infinite switch or socket, is at fault. An infinite switch is the dial that allows you to select the precise heat you want, versus the simple ‘low-medium-or-high’ switches sometimes seen on older ranges. These infinite switches are great for temperature control, but will sometimes malfunction. In the case of a faulty infinite switch, a burner that won’t heat up is actually preferable to the alternative, which is a burner that remains on high no matter where the dial is set.

When your technician looks at your electric stovetop, they’ll do a series of tests to figure out which part is broken by a process of elimination. First, they’ll test the offending burner by plugging into a separate power source. If it still isn’t turning on, it can be safely assumed that the burner just needs to be replaced. However, if the burner is working normally in this test, they’ll take a look at the burner socket, which is responsible for transferring heat to the burner. Faulty sockets will often be visibly scorched or damaged, signalling that it’s time to replace it. If the socket isn’t the issue, then the technician will look at the infinite switch and determine if it should be replaced.

- Electric burners are heating slowly, or not at all

They say a watched pot never boils, but that’s only really true if your electric burner is not heating at all. If all of your burners are heating at the same rate, that is, very slowly or not at all, it’s probably an electrical issue, or may signify that your whole cooktop needs to be replaced. A technician will also check the electrical connection to your burner coil, which will sometimes become knocked loose over time. If none of these solutions work, but the issue is contained to a single electric burner, it may be necessary to have the coil replaced.

Common Oven Problems

Like stovetops, ovens can be heated either with gas or electricity. In the case of electric ovens, electric currents activate the heating elements, which become extremely hot. Although both types of oven achieve essentially the same effect, the problems faced in their maintenance, and the techniques needed to repair them, can sometimes differ. A few of the common issues we find with electric oven units include:

- Electric oven won’t heat

In the case of a cold electric oven, the problem will most likely be with your heating element. Assuming the oven is receiving the right amount of power, and the electrical connection is working normally, you will probably need to replace the heating element itself. Because of the risk of electric shock with improper procedure, as well as the placement of the element on some units, this is a job that should only be taken on by experienced appliance repair people.

- Oven isn’t heating to the correct temperature

A frustrating problem that’s hard to discover without accidentally ruining a meal, an oven that doesn’t heat enough or heats too much is definitely worth getting some professional help with. Your technician will again verify that the heating element or igniter is functioning properly, depending on what type of appliance you have in your home. If it’s in good working order, the problem likely is your oven’s internal temperature sensor. Sometimes the sensor is knocked out of place slightly, allowing part of it to touch the inside wall of the oven and throw off its reading. If this is not the case, your repair technician will probably replace the sensor and verify that it’s giving an accurate readout.

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About Starfix

From home-baked bread to frozen taquitos, filet mignon to fried rice, you rely on your oven and range to work as expected. Experiencing a malfunction with this appliance can be a huge disruption to your routine, and by extension, your life. Any stove, range, or oven-related issue can be terribly frustrating, but remember: it’s your oven that should be heating up, not you. That’s why Starfix offers top-of-the-line cooktop and oven repair services all across Langley BC, Vancouver, the Tri-cities, and the Lower Mainland areas. Our team’s extensive experience and skill in appliance repair covers just about every brand of appliances found in residential homes, including:

  • Samsung
  • LG
  • Whirlpool
  • KitchenAid
  • GE
  • Kenmore
  • Electrolux
  • Maytag
  • AEG
  • Miele
  • Frigidaire
  • Bosch
  • Thermador

If you’re experiencing one of the above issues, or anything else to do with your electric stovetop and oven, look no further than Starfix. We’re prompt, professional, and above all else, get the job done right. Don’t resign yourself to the microwave— contact us for repairs today!