Did you know that more than 40 million homes in the United States of America use gas stoves for their cooking needs? Nothing is worse than getting ingredients around to cook a delicious home-cooked meal only to discover that you’re in need of stove repair. The frustration of the issues with your stove will combine with that creeping feeling of “hangriness” and make for a bad time.
Taking steps for stove maintenance is a great way to prevent issues with all types of stoves. Taking things into your own hands to fix an oven or a stove can save you money and teach you new skills.
Luckily, you’re in the right place to learn more about stove and oven repair and the things that you can do to maintain your cooking appliances. Keep reading this article to learn more today!
1. Deep Cleaning
It isn’t a pleasant experience, but you need to remain diligent and use deep cleaning on your oven and stove at least two times each year. Don’t start the cleaning process unless you know that your stove and your oven are completely cooled off. If you’re using an electric oven and stove then you should also take extra precautions and unplug them before starting the cleaning process.
It’s also a good idea to avoid using cleaning solutions under the knob locations. The cleaning solutions could cause issues with the wires that will require expensive oven repair and stove replacement parts. Don’t forget to plug the stove back in once you’re finished with the deep cleaning process.
2. Avoid the Self-Cleaning Option
Any stove owner that has experienced stove repair knows well that the self-cleaning option is useless. This cleaning feature will cause your oven to produce heat in excess of 500 degrees Fahrenheit in an attempt to get rid of any food residue inside. If you’re cooking a meal like a lasagna or pizza that got overcooked and spilled onto the floor of the oven then the self-cleaning option has value.
Not only will using this feature fail to clean your oven most times, but it will also overwork your oven if you use it too often. You could find yourself in need of a costly stove repair by over-exerting your stove.
3. Check Your Gas Line
Another key to stove repair and maintenance is remembering to check the gas line. This is especially important if you’ve just installed a new stove as the existing gas line could get messed up or broken. Issues with the gas line will result in small leaks of explosive gases in your home.
If you’re worried that you have a gas leak in your home then you should consider using a leak-detecting device or substance. The leak-detecting substance comes in the form of a goo that you’ll need to place on the gas line connector. You don’t want the goo to bubble as that indicates that there is a gas leak in your gas line that could have disastrous results.
4. Replace Damaged Burners
Cooking takes a definite toll on your stove, and a big way to avoid paying more money for expensive repairs is to replace any damaged burners on your home’s stove. A telltale sign to keep your eyes out for when cooking is a deep red spot in the burner’s coil. This is an indication that the burner is past its prime and on the brink of failing.
It’s best to contact an expert in stove maintenance if you experience this while cooking with your stove. Burner coils are inexpensive, so you’ll save yourself a lot of time and trouble by spotting this potential issue early. The new ignitor that you’ll need if you fail to spot the damage will set you back a few hundred dollars.
5. Avoid the Lowest Setting
If you plan on cooking with a gas stove then it’s important that you avoid using the lowest setting. Starting up the burner involves turning on the gas and waiting for it to accumulate enough for you to light it. Putting the gas on the lowest setting is dangerous because you’ll lose the flame that you’ve ignited while still allowing gas to leak into your home.
Make sure that you’re turning the burner off completely before walking away from your kitchen. If you do turn the gas down to low then you should check to see if the flame is still lit to keep you and your family safe.
6. Don’t Move the Stove
Another mistake that many new homeowners make when it comes to stove repair and maintenance is to avoid moving the stove. Gas lines aren’t known for the amount of flexibility that they bring to the table. Moving your stove could result in a broken gas line and a massive leak in your home that could spell danger.
Always confirm the location of the gas line before moving your stove in any direction. It’s the best approach to maintaining a safe living space.
7. Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide is one of the most dangerous gases for humans since it is colorless and odorless. The last thing that you want is to start taking time to fix an oven only to discover that you’re falling ill from carbon monoxide poisoning. If you have plans to use different types of stoves that use gas then you should invest in a carbon monoxide detector.
It’s best to place the carbon monoxide in a low place in your home. Unlike smoke, carbon monoxide likes to linger closer to the floor. Look for a good spot outside of your kitchen to avoid a false positive carbon monoxide test each time you ignite your gas stove.
Avoid an Expensive Stove Repair Today
Discovering that you need stove repair is never a good time, but handling stove maintenance on your own will help you save money on repairs while keeping your stove and oven burning strong. Make sure that you install a carbon monoxide detector to keep yourself and your family safe. You should also be extremely careful when moving your stove to avoid rupturing the gas lines.
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