Your oven is the heart and soul of your kitchen. If it stops working then making meals becomes a lot harder than it should be.
No one wants to spend money on repairs if they don’t have to. The good news is you can keep your oven running longer with just a few easy habits. And if your oven ever does break down then Prime Fix is here to help it get up and running again.
Here are seven ways to avoid calling for oven repair sooner than you should.
1. Keep Your Oven Squeaky Clean
A dirty oven can break down faster. Bits of food and grease build up over time. They block vents and burn up your heating element.
Make sure to clean spills as soon as your oven cools down. Remove racks and wash them in warm soapy water. For the inside be sure you scrub with baking soda and vinegar. Skip harsh chemicals since they can damage the finish.
A clean oven works better and cooks food evenly every single time.
2. Always Close the Door Gently
Lots of people slam the oven door without thinking twice. But slamming this way can break the hinges and damage the seal around the door.
When that seal wears out then heat leaks out. Your oven has to work harder to keep the right temperature consistently. That costs you more money in the long run and leads to uneven cooking.
Make an effort to close the door softly every time you use it. Small moves like this can save you big headaches down the road.
3. Check the Door Seal Frequently
A tight door seal keeps heat inside. Over time the seal or gasket can crack and come loose. If you feel heat escaping when the oven door is shut then this probably means the seal needs to be replaced.
Check it once every couple months. Run your hand around the door when the oven is on. If you feel warm air leaking then it’s time to call in the pros at Prime Fix.
You’ll want to get it looked at before you waste any more time and energy. (Or even worse: ruin your next meal).
4. Skip the Foil on the Bottom
Some folks line the bottom of their oven with foil to catch drips. This sounds smart but can actually block airflow and damage the heating components in your oven.
Instead do this: place a baking sheet on a rack below your food to catch spills. This keeps your oven safe and still makes cleaning up easy.
Better airflow means better cooking and less strain on your oven.
5. Become an Expert on Your Oven
Every oven is different. Despite this fact most people never read the manual for theirs.
Take a few minutes to learn what settings you have. Some have a convection mode or self-clean cycle. Others don’t. Using the right setting for the right food helps you get the best results possible.
It also helps you avoid problems like burnt edges or undercooked centers. Knowing your oven’s limits will help it last longer and work more effectively.
6. Test the Temperature
If you notice your cookies burn on the bottom or your pot roasts take forever then your oven might not be heating up right. Buy a standalone oven thermometer and test the temperature when you cook to see if this is an issue.
Place the thermometer inside while your oven is on. If the reading is way off from what you were expecting then you need a pro to check the thermostat ASAP.
Fixing a small temp problem like this early is better than replacing a broken oven later.
7. Schedule a Check-Up
Maintenance matters when your oven works hard around-the-clock. A quick check-up once a year or so can spot problems you might miss otherwise. Loose wires or worn-out parts can be fixed before they become expensive repairs.
Just like you see a doctor for a check-up your oven needs the same care. It saves money in the long run and keeps your kitchen running the way you want it.
Let Prime Fix Help When You Need It
You might be the most careful cook in the world. But no matter how careful you are, things can still break. That’s life.
When the worst case scenario happens and your oven breaks down you don’t want to stress about who to call. Prime Fix is ready to save the day.
The Prime Fix crew fixes ovens fast and gets your kitchen back on track. You don’t have to worry about unnecessary fixes either. The team is always honest about what your appliance needs.
To keep your oven working at its best follow the simple steps above. Take care of your oven and it will take care of you. But if you ever do need a helping hand, visit Prime Fix to book your tune-up today.