Your oven heats unevenly. One side of your baking tray browns faster than the other. Or it's not reaching temperature at all. Or the interior smells strange.
These aren't minor inconveniences. An oven that doesn't work properly makes cooking difficult and wastes energy. Unlike some appliances you can ignore for a while, an oven affects your daily life. So, from us at National Appliance Repairs, here’s the thing: know when to call for repair versus when to keep troubleshooting. That’ll save you a lot of time and money.
Quick Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Most Likely Cause | What to Try First | When to Call a Pro |
| Not reaching temperature | Faulty heating element or thermostat | Check if oven is plugged in (electric). Check gas supply (gas). | If still not heating, heating element or thermostat has failed. |
| Uneven heating | Dirty interior or misaligned racks | Clean the oven interior. Ensure racks are level and fully seated. | If still uneven, thermostat or element is failing. |
| Taking longer to heat | Partially failed heating element or dirty interior | Clean the oven. Run at normal temperature and time. | If heating time doesn't improve, element needs replacement. |
| Strange smells (burning, electrical) | Food residue, dust, or electrical fault | Remove any visible food or debris. Run empty oven at 200°C for 15 minutes. | If smell persists, electrical problem. Stop using and call service. |
| Temperature fluctuations | Faulty thermostat or sensor | Check oven temperature with a separate thermometer. Compare to display. | If actual temperature doesn't match setting, thermostat has failed. |
Not Reaching Temperature
You set the oven to 180°C. You wait. Minutes pass. The interior doesn't feel hot. You put your hand near the door and feel barely any warmth.
First, confirm the oven is actually on. Check that the power switch is engaged and the setting is correct. For gas ovens, check that the gas supply is turned on at the valve. For electric ovens, confirm the circuit breaker hasn't tripped.
If the oven is on and the supply is there, the heating element is likely failing. A heating element can burn out completely or fail partially. When it's completely failed, the oven produces no heat. When it's partially failed, it heats slowly or inconsistently.
You can't repair a heating element -- it needs replacement. Call a technician for diagnosis. A new heating element costs $150-300 depending on your oven type (electric or gas).
For gas ovens, another possibility is a faulty ignitor. Gas needs an ignition source. If the ignitor is broken, the gas won't light. A technician can diagnose this by checking whether you hear a clicking sound when you turn on the oven. If you hear clicking but no flame, the ignitor has likely failed.
Uneven Heating
One side of your baking tray browns quickly. The other side is barely cooked. Or food on the left heats while the right side stays cool.
First, clean your oven thoroughly. Buildup inside can block heat distribution and cause uneven heating. Remove any obvious debris or grease.
Check that your oven racks are properly seated. Racks should sit fully on their supports. If a rack is partially off its support, heat distribution around that area suffers.
Position food in the center of the oven, not pushed to one side. Food placement affects how heat reaches it.
Use an oven thermometer to check the actual internal temperature versus what the oven displays. Place the thermometer in the center of the oven and let it sit for 15 minutes at 180°C. If the thermometer reads significantly different from the oven's display (more than 10-15°C difference), the thermostat or temperature sensor is failing.
Uneven heating that persists after cleaning and repositioning usually means the heating element is degrading. One part of the element is failing, causing that area to heat less. You need a new element.
In some cases, the thermostat itself is failing, causing the oven to heat unevenly as it cycles on and off inefficiently. A technician can diagnose which component is the problem.
Taking Longer to Heat
Your oven used to reach 180°C in 10 minutes. Now it takes 15-20 minutes. Or you preheat, put food in, and realize the oven wasn't actually hot enough yet.
A partially degraded heating element heats more slowly. The element is still functional but not operating at full capacity. You'll also notice increased energy consumption -- the element runs longer to reach the same temperature.
Clean the oven interior first. Buildup insulates the interior and traps heat, making the heating element work harder.
If the oven still heats slowly after cleaning, the element is likely degrading. Replacement stops the problem and restores energy efficiency. A slow heating element wastes electricity.
Strange Smells Coming From the Oven
You open the oven and smell burning. Or you smell something electrical or acrid.
A burning smell during the first run of a new oven is normal. The interior coating is curing. Open windows and run the oven at 200°C for 15 minutes. The smell should disappear.
But if you've owned the oven for years and suddenly smell burning, something is wrong. Food residue, grease, or dust inside the oven can burn off when heated. Run the oven empty at 200°C for 15 minutes. This burns off surface debris. The smell should clear.
If the smell persists, something inside the oven is failing. An electrical smell (like burning plastic or wiring) is a red flag. Stop using the oven immediately and call a technician. This might indicate an electrical fault that could be dangerous.
Gas ovens shouldn't smell like gas when operating normally. If you smell gas when the oven is on, turn it off immediately. Check your gas connections for leaks. If you detect a gas leak, leave your home and call the gas company's emergency line.
Temperature Fluctuating or Not Accurate
You set the oven to 180°C, but the actual temperature inside varies between 160°C and 200°C. Food cooks unevenly because the temperature isn't stable.
Use a separate oven thermometer to check the actual internal temperature. Place it in the center of the oven and let it stabilize at your set temperature. Compare the thermometer reading to the oven's display.
If the actual temperature is significantly different from the display (more than 10-15°C), the thermostat or temperature sensor has failed. The oven can't maintain consistent temperature. Cooking becomes unpredictable.
A faulty thermostat is a common oven problem, especially in older ovens. Replacement cost varies by oven type but typically ranges from $150-300.
When to Call a Technician
Call for professional service if:
The oven won't heat at all after confirming power supply and settings are correct.
Heating element or thermostat failure is suspected (based on the troubleshooting above).
You smell burning or electrical odors that don't clear after running the oven empty.
You suspect a gas leak or gas connection problem.
Temperature is significantly inaccurate and affecting cooking results.
The oven has been repaired multiple times in the past year. It might be more cost-effective to replace it.
Don't attempt to open the oven yourself to inspect internal components. Modern ovens have components under tension that can cause injury. Let a technician handle internal diagnosis and repair.
Maintenance to Prevent Problems
Clean your oven regularly to prevent buildup that blocks heat distribution.
Check that racks are properly seated and level.
Avoid spilling food directly on the heating elements (for some oven types).
Have the thermostat and heating element inspected annually if your oven is over 8 years old. Early detection of failure prevents unexpected breakdowns.
Use your oven according to the manual's guidelines. Don't exceed maximum temperatures or use it for purposes it's not designed for.
When to Replace vs. Repair
Repair makes sense if your oven is less than 8-10 years old and the problem is a single component like a heating element or thermostat.
Replacement is smarter if:
- Your oven is over 10 years old and requires a major repair.
- It's had multiple repairs in the past 18 months.
- The repair cost exceeds 40-50% of a new oven's price.
- You're willing to invest in a newer, more efficient model.
Modern ovens are more energy-efficient and have better temperature control. The upfront cost might be recovered through lower energy bills over the oven's lifespan. Still wondering which is the better option? Give National Appliance Repairs a call, and our technician will give you a professional estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
My oven temperature doesn't match my thermometer. Is it dangerous to use?
Not inherently dangerous, but it's unreliable for cooking. Temperature accuracy matters for baking especially. If your oven is off by more than 20°C, get the thermostat checked. It likely needs recalibration or replacement. An inaccurate thermostat also wastes energy.
Can I fix a broken heating element myself?
Heating element replacement involves electrical or gas connections that require professional installation. Improper installation can be dangerous or create electrical hazards. Call a technician.
How much does oven repair typically cost?
Heating element replacement: $150-300. Thermostat replacement: $150-300. Ignitor replacement (gas ovens): $150-250. Labour adds $50-150 depending on complexity. A full diagnostic and repair typically costs $200-450.
My oven is 12 years old and just needs a heating element. Should I fix it or replace it?
Get a quote first. If the element costs under $200 and the oven is otherwise working well, repair makes sense. If the quote is $300+ or the oven has had multiple repairs, replacement might be smarter. Ask the technician for their honest recommendation based on the oven's age and condition.
Why is my electric oven taking longer to preheat than it used to?
Likely causes: degraded heating element, thermostat failure, or interior buildup. Clean the oven first. If preheating time doesn't improve, the heating element is probably degrading. A technician can diagnose definitively and recommend repair or replacement.
