Don’t Get Burned: Essential Tips for Testing Your Oven Igniter
Oven igniters are an essential part of any oven, as they are responsible for lighting the gas that is used to cook food. It is important to test your oven igniter regularly to ensure it is working properly. A faulty igniter can cause your oven to not heat up properly, leading to unevenly cooked food and potential safety hazards. Testing your igniter is not a difficult task and can be done with a few simple tools.
The first step in testing an oven igniter is to disconnect the power to the oven. This can be done by unplugging the power cord from the wall, or turning off the breaker in the circuit box if the oven is hard-wired. Once the power is off, locate the igniter inside the oven. Depending on your oven model, the igniter may be located at the bottom, back, or side of the oven.
Once you have located the igniter, use a multimeter to test the igniter. The multimeter will have two probes that are connected to the multimeter itself. Place one probe on each of the igniter’s terminals and set the multimeter to the ohms setting. If the igniter is working correctly, the multimeter should read between approximately 3 and 5 ohms. If the multimeter reads higher than 5 ohms, the igniter is not working properly and needs to be replaced.
If the multimeter reads between 3 and 5 ohms, the next step is to test the igniter’s functionality. To do this, you will need to reconnect the power to the oven. Once the power is back on, turn the oven on and watch for the igniter to glow. The igniter should glow bright orange if it is working correctly. If the igniter does not glow, it is likely faulty and needs to be replaced.
Once you have determined that the igniter is working correctly, turn off the power to the oven and replace any panels or covers that may have been removed during the testing process. It is also a good idea to vacuum out the back of the oven to remove any debris that may have built up over time.
Testing an oven igniter is an important task that should be done regularly to ensure the oven is working properly. With the right tools and a bit of knowledge, testing an oven igniter is a relatively simple process. Remember to always disconnect the power to the oven before attempting to work on it, and if you are ever unsure of how to proceed, it is best to call a professional.