An oven that doesn’t heat up properly can ruin any meal. So if you’re wondering, “Why won’t my oven heat up as it should?” it may be due to a common problem we know how to fix. Check out these tips to troubleshoot a GE oven not heating properly so you can get back to making perfectly-cooked meals.
How to Troubleshoot a GE Oven Not Heating Like It Should
A GE oven not heating properly can be caused by various factors, such as wear and tear, user error, or faulty components which can prevent your oven from operating correctly. It may be helpful to conduct a thorough troubleshooting process to determine the specific cause of the oven not heating correctly.
Heating Issues from User Error
If your oven isn’t cooking evenly or won’t reach the desired temperature, it may be due to how you’re using the oven. Making a couple of small adjustments can make all the difference in how your meals turn out. Before we dive into troubleshooting why your GE oven won’t heat up properly, make sure you aren’t guilty of any of these common mistakes:
- Check if your oven is level: To ensure even cooking, it’s important to make sure the racks are resting evenly in the oven. If you find that the oven is installed unevenly, a professional can adjust the appliance so it’s perfectly level with the floor.
- Keep the oven door closed: When cooking, try to keep the oven door closed as much as possible. This helps to contain heat and ensure consistent cooking times.
- Give your oven time to preheat: Before you start cooking, make sure to give your oven adequate time to preheat to its set temperature. Failing to do so can result in longer cooking times and excessive browning on top of your food.
- Use the right cookware: The type of cookware you use can also affect the outcome of your cooking. Dark pans absorb heat, which can lead to deeper browning. If you want to reduce browning, try using shiny pans that reflect heat instead.
Oven Needs to Be Calibrated
If your oven isn’t heating to the set temperature, it may need to be recalibrated. While your oven is calibrated by the manufacturer, it can be adjusted if your dishes aren’t being cooked properly. Most ovens allow you to raise or lower the temperature up to 35℉ for improved accuracy.
However, before recalibrating, make sure you always preheat your oven properly. Allowing the oven to fully preheat before cooking will ensure that it gets hot enough and maintains its temperature.
*Note: Calibrating your oven’s thermostat can be a delicate operation. We recommend hiring an oven service professional to recalibrate the thermostat properly.
GE Oven Element Failure
Is your electric oven not heating properly? It may have a defective heating element. These metal coils at the top and bottom of the oven provide heat when they receive electrical current. The coils will glow bright red when operating properly and produce steady, even heat.
Signs of a defective GE oven element include:
- Uneven heating
- Blistering or breakage
- An uneven red glow
A defective heating element can’t be repaired and must be replaced. In some cases, the heating element can suffer damage after exposure to the high temperatures of the oven’s self-cleaning cycle. Our oven cleaning tips recommend cleaning with a vinegar solution to prevent damage to multiple components.
Image Courtesy of Café
Oven Igniter Failure
A gas GE oven not heating up properly is often due to a failed igniter. This component produces a spark to light the gas which then heats up your oven. If the igniter isn’t working correctly or has failed completely, the oven won’t heat up at all.
How can you tell if your GE oven igniter has failed? Observe it after turning on the oven. When it takes longer than 90 seconds for the gas to ignite, the igniter may be too weak to open the gas valve or ignite the gas. We recommend professional service to repair this and any other gas oven malfunction.
Blown Oven Thermal Fuse
A thermal fuse is a safety device that blows if the oven is in danger of overheating, preventing damage to other oven components. A GE oven not heating up properly or a lengthy self-cleaning cycle can result in high temperatures that cause the fuse to blow. It may also blow if the fuse itself is defective.Â
The fuse will need to be tested by an oven technician to confirm that it’s blown. A blown fuse can’t be repaired and must be replaced for the oven to function.
*Note: An oven thermal fuse will rarely blow for no good reason. Chances are that a blown a fuse is due to another problem with the oven. We recommend service from an oven repair specialist who can identify the root cause and help you avoid yet another blown fuse.
Convection Fan Motor Failure
Convection ovens utilize a fan to circulate the hot air inside, resulting in faster cook times and more even heating. If the fan motor fails, it won’t be able to circulate the air, leading to longer preheating and cooking times and uneven cooking.
The convection fan is found inside your oven’s back panel and can be difficult to remove and test. If you notice noise coming from the fan or if your oven is experiencing uneven cooking results, we recommend having it checked by an appliance service professional.
Why Does My Oven Not Heat Evenly?
Another repair issue we see frequently is an oven not heating evenly. No one wants to eat a cake that’s half cooked and half mush! Similarly to when an oven doesn’t heat enough, uneven cooking is usually caused by a failed bake element, broil element, or igniter.
A less common reason would be a broken temperature sensor, but even something as simple as the placement of your oven racks, opening the oven door too often while baking, and even the cookware you’re using can lead to uneven cooking.
The oven repair professionals at Cody’s Appliance Repair can fix a GE oven not heating up or any other problem you may be experiencing. Schedule your expert service today!
