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Cooker & Oven Troubleshooting Guide
At the heart of every kitchen, you’ll find an oven or a cooker. We rely on them to cook that frozen pizza after a long slog at work, or to create those delicious cupcakes for that bake sale. So, when something goes wrong it can have a huge effect on our day to day lives. This guide gives you the top warning signs that your machine is on its way out. Or, head to the FAQs where we'll guide you through unblocking your machine and giving advice on some of the most common problems.
Signs you need a new cooker or oven
Here's 5 things that your cooker or oven might be on its last legs. They usually last 10-15 years, so if your model’s older, it might be time to serve up a replacement.
Your electric oven won't heat up
Ovens have one job, right? To cook your food properly. So, if yours is struggling to get up to at least 200°C, or that quiche keeps coming out underdone, then it could be a sign the heating element’s not up to the job anymore.
Your gas oven won't light
There’s a few reasons why your gas oven could lose its spark and stop lighting. If it’s not getting enough oxygen, then you’ll be getting a weak orange flame instead of a strong blue one. Another reason could be a dodgy switch, and trying to get hold of replacement parts can be more hassle than it’s worth. Faulty gas ovens can lead to all sorts of nasty risks, so if yours is starting to misbehave in any way, make sure you get it seen to ASAP.
It's not efficient anymore
Chances are the older your oven or cooker is, the harder it needs to work to deliver the same results. But those tasty treats from an old model come at a cost – literally. They get through more energy than younger models, which means those bills will start creeping up.
It's too dirty
Sometimes there’s only so much scrubbing you can do. No matter how much elbow grease you put into cleaning, years of cooking will eventually take its toll. Rust and stubborn stains can build up and start smoking to ruin your food – no one wants a smoky-flavoured cake. If your Battenberg is starting to taste more like bacon, have a look at our range of Pyrolytic ovens. They use really high temperatures that turn food splatters into ash. All that’s left to do is simply wipe it away.
Scorched worktops and hot handles
If you’re noticing scorch marks on your worktops or the oven’s handles are too hot to touch, it could be a problem with the cooling system. And that’s something we’re definitely not a fan of. This can usually be fixed, but if the same thing happens again, it’s probably time to get hunting for a replacement. It won’t take you long to find a new one – we’ve cooked up a huge range of ovens to choose from right here.
Did you know we can do the hard work for you?
Remove & Recycle
With our Remove & Recycle service, we'll take away your old appliance
AO Care
Our monthly plan protects your appliances from accidental damage and breakdowns
FAQs
- My oven isn’t working but the top grill is
If your top oven or grill isn't working, it may be something simple to fix. First, it’s worth checking that the clock has been set to the correct time of day to allow both your oven and grill to work. If this doesn’t fix the problem, then the quickest and best way to resolve this is to contact the manufacturer directly, they may suggest an engineer visit. When you get in touch with them, make sure you have your serial number to hand, which can be found on your product. You’ll also need your invoice and manufacturer contact number, which can be found in your My Account. To sign up or log in click here.
- My new cooker makes a burning smell – is this normal?
Don't worry, you're not burning your dinner. It's completely normal for new ovens and cookers to produce a burning smell. Your user manual will have instructions on how to get rid of this smell.
- Why is the fan on my oven so noisy?
This is usually because the fan is getting old, it could be becoming loose and unbalanced meaning it’s catching on the back of the oven. In this case you’ll need to call the manufacturer, and they may recommend a visit from an engineer.
- My cooker ignition keeps clicking
This only applies to gas models and is usually when the ignition or control dial is stuck in and trying to light the gas. This can usually be fixed by cleaning the dial, but if that doesn’t work then you’ll need to contact the manufacturer, and they may recommend a visit from an engineer.
- The light in my oven is not working
This most likely means that the bulb has run out of power. All you have to do is simply replace it with a brand new suitable bulb.
- My oven door isn’t closing properly
This could be because the hinges or catch are getting a little old. If this is the case, they will need replacing.
- How do I know if my oven is heating to the right temperature?
Most modern ovens will have an indicator light that will go out once the selected temperature is reached. Some ovens will even let you select the precise temperature on the display for more control.
- Can you still use an oven if the glass is broken?
If either the inner or outer glass on your oven door is cracked, broken or smashed, then we highly recommend not using it and calling the manufacturer straightaway for their advice.
- How to change an oven lightbulb
The method to do this can vary between models and manufacturers, so we would recommend checking your product manual for the exact instructions.
- How to reset an oven
We’d recommend taking a look at your product manual for the exact instructions.
- Why is my oven smoking?
This is most likely due to spills from the last couple of times you used your oven. In this case you just need to give your oven a good clean to stop this from happening again.
- Why does my oven keep tripping the electric?
This might be a result of your oven or cooker being faulty. You should contact your manufacturer or local engineer to help sort this out.
- How to change the temperature sensor on an oven
We would recommend checking your product manual for the right instructions.
- How to replace an oven thermometer
We would recommend checking your product manual for the right instructions.
- How to unblock gas oven jets
The best way of doing this is giving your oven a thorough clean.
