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Common cooking appliance problems explained
We’ve rounded up some of the most common cooking appliance issues, along with some simple checks, quick fixes, and advice on when it’s time to get on the phone to an engineer.
Whether it's an oven that won't stop serving up cold spots, a stove that just won't start, or an induction hob that can't sense your pans, issues with your appliances can leave you short on solutions and shorter on patience. Luckily, most of them tend to be caused by the same few repeat offenders, if your kitchen kit is playing up, we might just know why.
Before picking up the phone to call in professional help, there are a few simple checks you can do to make sure you don't waste time with an engineer for an easy fix. So, let's cover off the basics before we start thinking about more complicated issues.
- Make sure the appliance is switched on at the wall.
- Check fuses and circuit breakers.
- Read any error codes on the display, taking a look at the user manual if you need to.
- Make sure settings, timers and clocks are correctly set up.
- Deep clean the appliance, including fans, vents and ignition points.
- Give the instruction manual a good read for advice on your specific model.
If these steps don't sort it, it's safest to call up a professional. DIY jobs should only ever be basic upkeep and cleaning, anything that needs more know-how could be dangerous to try to fix and could invalidate your warranty.
Why is my oven not heating up?
If your oven just can't seem to get to the heat you need, it could be caused by anything from a problem with the power to a faulty internal part. Finding the issue is the first step to knowing whether it’s something you can sort yourself, so let’s start there.
Things to check
- Make sure the oven is switched on and receiving power. If a digital screen comes on or the oven light illuminates when you select a setting, you'll know your appliance has power.
- Check whether a fuse has blown in the plug.
- Make sure the built-in clock is set correctly, since some ovens won't work if this is wrong.
- Check that you’ve picked the right cooking setting. Your oven might look like it’s on but won’t heat up if its set to the wrong function.
- Take a look at the heating element for signs of damage like blistering, cracks, or breaks.
Possible quick fixes
- If the oven light and heating conked out at the same time, a blown bulb might have broken the internal circuit. Try replacing the bulb and resetting the circuit breaker to fix the problem.
When to call an engineer
If you can spot signs of damage on the heating element, or if it looks intact but the oven still isn't warming up, the issue could be caused by the thermostat, wiring, or other electrical fault. These are problems that should only be fixed by a professional, so you should get an engineer on the phone.
Why is my oven cooking unevenly?
Uneven cooking is an easy way to ruin that recipe you spent all night cooking, and it's even more annoying when you can't figure out why it's happening. And if you're cooking meat dishes, undercooked spots can actually be dangerous as well as unpleasant.
Things to check
- Make sure the shelves are in the right position according to your recipe.
- Try not to overcrowd the oven because this can stop air from moving around properly.
- Make sure any trays and dishes aren't blocking the fan.
- Rotate trays midway through cooking to see if this helps food cook more evenly.
- Check if built up grease or baked-on grease is blocking the fan area.
- Check the door seal for signs of wear and tear.
Possible quick fixes
- If built-up muck is blocking the fan, give this area a good clean and see if this solves the issue.
- If the door seal has worn down, replacing it is as easy as unclipping the old one and hooking the new one on.
When to call an engineer
If giving it a proper wipe down and installing a new door seal haven't sorted the problem, it could be caused by a faulty fan motor, temperature sensor, or heating element. In that case, you'll have to give your local engineer a ring.
Why is my induction hob not detecting my pans?
Induction hobs might be chock-full of clever tech, but when they stop being able to do the basics, it'll send all your dinner plans down the drain.
Things to check
- Induction hobs need a magnetic field to detect your pans. Use a magnet on the base of your pans to see if it sticks, if it doesn’t, you'll know they’re not compatible.
- Make sure your pan is centred on the cooking zone. It being off-kilter can make it difficult for the hob to detect.
- Check that the base of the pan is clean and flat, it’ll need to be both to connect with the hob effectively.
- Try another pan to see if the problem is your cookware or the hob.
Possible quick fixes
- Even if you can figure out what the issue is, you shouldn't try a DIY solution to fix your induction hob, as there are very few safe repairs you can carry out yourself.
When to call an engineer
If the hob won't recognise any of your cookware and you’re confident it’s compatible, it's time to get a professional on the phone to fix the issue.
Why has my hob stopped working?
If your hob suddenly stops working, it can be something as simple as a power cut or as complicated as an internal fault.
Things to check
- Make sure the hob is switched on at the wall. You’d be surprised how often this is missed, especially with new installations.
- Check the fuse box to see if a switch has tripped.
- Look for any error codes or symbols on the hob's display.
Possible quick fixes
- Try turning the hob off and on again, following the instruction manual.
- If your hob has an electric ignition, check if the batteries need replacing.
When to call an engineer
If the hob still won't work after the checks above, or it’s persistently tripping or displaying an error code, it's time to get a professional engineer 'round to have a look.
Why does my hob keep switching off?
Most modern hobs have built-in safety features that'll turn your appliance off if they sense certain issues, so it can be useful to see if it’s one of these common triggers.
Things to check
- Make sure nothing is blocking the air vents around the hob.
- Check that the pans you're using are the right size for the cooking zone.
- Shift any utensils, cloths, or spills that might be putting pressure on the controls.
- If the hob seems too hot, let it cool down before giving it another try.
Possible quick fixes
- Have a clean around the hob and air vents to make sure there's no dust, grease, or dirt built up.
- Follow the instruction manual to reset the hob.
When to call an engineer
If the hob keeps switching itself off, even after the fixes above, it could be a bigger problem with the cooling system, sensor, or controls. There's no DIY fix for this and you'll need to get a professional to have a look.
Why is my cooker not turning on?
If your cooker won't start up at all, it's usually a problem with your electrical supply rather than the actual appliance
Things to check
- Make sure the cooker is switched on at the wall. This is missed surprisingly often, especially with new installations.
- Check your fuse box to see if a switch has tripped.
- If it's got a built-in clock or timer, make sure it's set correctly. This can cause more issues than you might think.
- Look for any signs that the cooker has power, like lights, displays, and controls being on. This could mean that just the heating is affected rather than the entire appliance.
Possible quick fixes
- If you've recently had a power cut, make sure to reset the appliance following the instruction manual.
- If it's safe to do so, replace a blown fuse from inside the plug.
When to call an engineer
If the cooker remains completely unresponsive, the fault could be caused by a damaged power cable, blown internal fuse or faulty control board that’ll all need some professional attention.
Why is my oven taking so long to heat up?
Slow preheating can ruin even the best-planned recipes, especially when you've already got the sides simmering on the hob, but you're tapping your foot, waiting for the main to go in the oven.
Things to check
- Try not to open the door during preheating.
- Double check that the door closes fully and is properly sealed.
- Make sure you've chosen the right cooking setting as some energy-saving features might take a little longer.
Possible quick fixes
- Give the area around the fan and air vents a clean.
- Replace the door seal if it looks worn out.
When to call an engineer
If all else fails, it's probably a failed heating element or faulty thermostat. You'll need to call a professional to get this sorted.
Why is my oven smoking?
Smoke is one of the most common oven complaints, but don't panic, it's usually pretty easy to fix.
Things to check
- Check if there's built-up food, grease, or spills inside.
- See if there's grease building up around the edges of the door seal.
Possible quick fixes
- Deep clean the oven, using a self-cleaning cycle if yours has one.
- Replace the door seal if there's a lot of grease build-up.
When to call an engineer
If the smoke continues after it's been fully cleaned, or if you can notice a burning electrical smell, stop using the oven right away and call a professional for an inspection.
Why is my hob making clicking noises?
It's normal to hear clicking when a gas hob is getting started. But hearing constant clicking after its already ignited is a sign that something's not working right.
Things to check
- If the burners have just been cleaned, make sure they're dry.
- Clear any food debris from around the ignition.
- Check the burner caps are fitted correctly.
Possible DIY repairs
- Make sure the ignition parts are properly cleaned and dried.
- Adjust the burner caps and pan supports.
When to call an engineer
If the clicking continues after ignition or when the hob isn't being used, the ignition switch or spark generator probably needs replacing.
While some issues with kitchen appliances can lead you to assume the worst, they've usually got some pretty easy fixes. But if you're unsure, safety should always come first. If the problem involves electrical parts, gas systems, or internal faults, stop troubleshooting and contact a qualified engineer.
