Even the best appliances break down from time to time. When your oven starts to show signs of age, it can be difficult to decide whether to try to repair it or replace it. On the one hand, repairs can be less expensive and buy you time. On the other hand, one component that fails can be a sign that other parts of the oven are about to fail. Plus, many repairs cost almost as much as replacement. So how do you know when your stove needs replacing?
ContentHow to know when your stove needs to be replaced: cracked glassSigns that you need to buy a new stove: inefficient heatingHow to know when your stove needs to be replaced: strange soundsSigns that you need to buy a new stove: strange smellsHow to know when your stove needs to be replaced: constant repairs
There are several key problems that you should pay attention to so that if they occur, you can consider replacement options. WomanEL will list several signs that you need to replace your oven.
How to understand that you need to change the stove: cracked glass
Most home ovens come with glass doors, which allow you to monitor your food while it’s cooking without opening the oven and letting heat escape. But if that glass cracks, it can pose a serious safety hazard to anyone who comes into contact with the oven. Additionally, cracked oven glass can cause your oven to use too much energy to maintain its internal temperature, as glass is an important element of insulation.
The ability to replace the glass depends on the type of oven you have. Some manufacturers offer replacement oven glass, while others require you to buy the entire oven door. Depending on the age of your oven, it may make sense to replace the entire appliance.
A sign that you need to buy a new stove: inefficient heating
If your oven is not heating efficiently, it can be difficult to determine the cause, as different types of ovens produce heat differently. In electric ovens, inefficient heating can be due to a faulty heating element, which is fairly easy to replace yourself. In gas ovens, heating problems can be caused by a faulty igniter.
In both types, the cause of the problem can also be a faulty thermostat, which tells the oven when and when not to start a heating cycle to maintain a set temperature. In gas and electric ovens, the problem can be caused by a faulty control board, which controls all aspects of the oven's operation and is a more complicated and expensive repair.
Regardless of why your oven is not heating efficiently, it can be difficult to determine the cause, and therefore the repair may be too expensive to justify.
How to understand that you need to change the stove: strange sounds
There are certain sounds that the oven makes that are part of the normal operation of the appliance. However, these sounds should be predictable and constant, such as the sound of the gas being ignited when you start to heat the oven.
If you have started to notice new sounds, this may be a cause for concern. Even if the sound is familiar, but it seems to be repeating more often than before, it is most likely due to improper operation of the stove.
Sign that you need to buy a new stove: strange smells
Strange smells coming from your stove may not be a big deal, depending on what you're cooking at the time. It could mean that your stove needs cleaning. However, strange smells coming from a stove that has no food on it or an oven that isn't even on can be a serious cause for concern, especially if you have a gas stove.
A gas leak is very serious and requires immediate attention. If you suspect that your oven is leaking gas, immediately turn off the gas supply and open the doors and windows. If the smell does not disappear quickly, leave the house and call 104.
How to understand that you need to change your stove: permanent repairs
If you've had your oven repaired in the past, but repairs seem to be becoming more frequent, it's probably time to consider a new oven. Even if you're able to handle oven repairs yourself, analyze the cost of the recent repair and weigh the potential cost of more frequent repairs.
While you can expect repairs over the life of any oven, most new appliances will allow you to go several years without maintenance, which can help save on initial costs.
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