We have a built in fan oven and a couple of months ago I went into a panic... the fan was turning, the thermostat light came on (and stayed on) but only cold air was circulating around the oven. I left it for nearly an hour hoping it would heat up, but nothing happened!
At this point I was thinking it was going to be a very expensive job. The cooker itself is built into the kitchen units and therefore I couldn't simply buy a new one if needs be. I was also worried about how much time I would need to take off work to wait in for a repairman - not to mention the extortionate call out fees some can charge!
So as we do in this technological age I Googled for a solution. I found out that the cause was likely one of two things; either the thermostat had gone, or the fan element had. Searching further I established the following: -
- If the thermostat light doesn't switch on - the thermostat is likely be the problem - this was not my problem - sorry I can't offer any advice on this
- If the fan itself is working and the thermostat light switches on, but doesn't go out - it is likely that the fan element is faulty - this was my problem - keep reading for a solution
Before you remove the fan element or start any repairs to your oven make sure that it is turned off at the wall. For additional safety I would also recommend turning off the electricity.
If the fan element is faulty, there may be visible signs of burning or splitting.
If the fan element is faulty, it can be replaced. We found a replacement fan element for as little as £10 from a reputable ebayer. If you use ebay however make sure you choose the correct element for your oven make.
Once you have found your new fan element follow the below link for a detailed step by step guide we used to replace our fan element. Thank you to ransomspares for their easy to understand guide and who also stock many oven fan elements!
How to Replace a Faulty Fan Element
Things to watch out for
- Do not attempt any repairs to your oven until the electricity is disconnected
- Do not touch the fan when it is spinning
- Make sure you use the right replacement fan element for your make of cooker
- Some cookers (like ours) are built into the kitchen units and cannot be accessed from behind - luckily our fan element could be accessed and removed from the front - make sure yours can too
- Some cookers will have very short leads running to the fan element - be careful not to let these slip down behind the cooker when removing/replacing the element
- I would recommend wearing a mask to prevent breathing in of fumes which may linger in the oven
- Make sure you tighten the screws attaching the element to the oven - to prevent the slippage or the element coming away
It could cost you as little as £10-£20 to fix your oven rather than around £100 for a repairman or a new cooker!
Disclaimer: Information given either on this blog or via the above link is for information purposes only. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage that may occur from attempting the advice.
