Gas Oven Dragging Its Feet? Here's Why Preheating Feels Endless
Whether you're roasting a whole chicken, some savory potatoes and vegetables, or trying out a new cookie recipe, preheating (letting the oven sit while it reaches a fixed temperature, such as 350 degrees Fahrenheit) is the first step for cooking or baking in an oven. It's essential to preheat so everything is cooked through evenly, ensuring good flavor and texture. And if you skip this important step because you're trying to save time, it won't give you the extra minutes you're hoping for; instead it will often extend the cooking time as the food sits while the oven reaches its target temperature. But as vital as preheating is, even the most patient home chef doesn't want to spend more time than necessary waiting for the temperature to rise. Preheating may feel endless either because of the design, size, or condition of your oven. It could also be the result of mechanical issues like a faulty igniter, thermostat, or other part that needs to be replaced. You can tackle these issues by attempting simple repairs on your own or contacting a professional.
Problems with preheating is one reason why your oven may not be cooking food evenly. Once you find the reason it's taking forever for your oven to get hot enough, you can either search for replacement parts or find a qualified repair technician, armed with information about which part seems to need replacing.
Non-mechanical reasons for slow preheating
As you diagnose your preheating problem, remember that not all ovens are the same, and what feels like a long time may be just a more comprehensive process. Some ovens offer timed preheating, which runs on a timer, or rapid preheat. Both of these features work by preheating the top third of the oven. But a true preheat, in which the whole oven reaches the target temperature, could take as long as 20 to 25 minutes. If you're used to an oven with timed or rapid preheating and switch to one that does a true preheat, it might seems like there's something wrong, but you actually have an oven that reaches a uniform heat and you won't have to put your food on the top rack to ensure best results
Beyond the type of preheating your oven is designed for, the size or even cleanliness level of your oven may affect how long it takes to reach your desired preheating temperature. Larger ovens also take longer to preheat because they have more air volume than medium or small models. And if you haven't cleaned the oven in a while, grime can build up and get in the way of the process, since it will absorb heat.
Ideally, your exploration, which can involve using a temperature probe, will reveal how the oven preheats and how much time is normal to wait. When the time comes to replace the whole oven, research the type of preheating it's programmed for, and ensure there are enough oven rack positions for when you need to use the top, middle, or bottom. This way, you can avoid the mistakes everyone makes when buying an oven.
Parts may need to be fixed or replaced
What if your troubleshooting rules out the easiest reasons to remedy? The oven may have a faulty element, which you can address by do-it-yourself solutions or calling in a professional. Start by inspecting the door, where there could be a gap in the seal that most likely formed over time. A gasket replacement will fix this problem, and doing so should be a quick project. If the seal still looks tight, it's time to investigate inside.
The igniter might not be working properly, especially if the oven is older, since these parts are usually made to last just four or five years. Ignition can be delayed. The igniter is usually behind a panel at the bottom of the oven you would need to unscrew when the oven is off. When the oven is turned back on, an igniter that's working correctly will glow orange, and eventually white, before emitting a blue flame. One that doesn't light up at all, is visibly damaged, or takes too long to ignite, is ready to replace. The problem could also lie with the oven's thermostat — if it's not working correctly, your thermostat might not be releasing enough gas to allow the oven to reach the desired temperature within a reasonable time. A repair can address this if it's just a loose connection you're dealing with, but if you measure the temperature in the oven and find inaccurate readings, replacement is needed. Working with a technician may be safer than attempting a replacement on your own, but make sure to ask for written estimates and to see any damaged parts they find to avoid an appliance repair pro is taking advantage of you.