How Does an Electric Oven Work?

Using an electric oven to cook a meal has been a way of life since the first half of the 20th century when they were first introduced on a mass scale. Although they are found in millions of homes, their inner workings are usually taken for granted. An appliance as common as an electric oven should be understood, if only to become more familiar with the technology. Becoming more familiar with the ins and outs of an electric oven could also help you if you were to install one yourself.

Basic Components

There are a couple different types of electric ovens, including the freestanding-range stove combinations and wall ovens. The oven works in the same way for all types. Smaller, countertop-convection ovens also operate under the same principles, although they are used for less-thorough heating and cooking. 

The basic components of the interior of an electric oven are the top and bottom heating elements, which are contained in an enclosed steel box. The elements are controlled by the thermostat and the selector switch. There is also a timer for precise cooking. Most electric ovens are equipped with a clock as well as other features such as an interior light switch and a self-cleaning control. Older appliances controlled the elements with dials, while newer and more advanced models have all-electronic controls.

Inner Workings

When you first set the temperature on the electric oven with either the mechanical dial or electronic control, the bottom heating element is activated. There is a copper wire that connects the temperature control to the oven box that reads the temperature and can make appropriate adjustments. As the heating element increases its temperature beyond the setting, power to the element is cut, and the temperature decreases until it reaches the level indicated by the dial. An electronic-temperature gauge does essentially the same thing, only the temperature-detecting rod sends a signal to a circuit board, automatically adjusting the interior temperature.

The heating elements do not move. They consist of wires surrounded by metal sheaths. Electrical power heats the wires, which in turn heats the metal surrounding them. Convection ovens have a fan to blow the hot air around inside the oven. Some electric ovens may include a convection feature that you can use alternatively when you wish.

Selector Dial or Control

Many electric ovens use electronic controls, but not all of them do. Some models have a selector dial that lets you indicate the type of cooking you want the oven to perform. The biggest distinction is between baking and broiling. Setting an electric oven to bake uses the bottom heating element, while the broiling function uses the top element. The broiler is designed to cook food from top to bottom. On older electric ovens, they are not controlled by the temperature gauge in the same way as the baking element, but in newer ovens it may have its own control.

Other features of an electric oven are fairly self-explanatory. The timer on an electric oven lets you bake or broil for a desired amount of time, while the self-cleaning switch heats the elements to high temperatures and reduces any residue that bakes onto the interior to dust. These vary between oven types, though, some being more complicated than others. Most ovens are combined with a cooktop consisting of four burners, each with their own controls, although some are wall-mounted and have no range components.

How to Repaint the Inside of a Microwave

If the paint inside a microwave is deteriorating or peeling, repainting is a possible solution instead of just buying a whole new appliance. However, not just any kind of paint is suited for this project, and there are certain preparations that need to be done in order to make the repainting a success. Here are some steps to follow for a functional and polished result.

Step 1 - Preparation

It is important that the microwave be unplugged and that the interior surfaces be prepped for repainting before doing anything else. To clean debris and grease, simply wet a sponge in soapy water, squeeze out the excess, and use it to wipe off the interior surfaces. Clean the external surfaces as well in order to simply sanitize the entire microwave while you are at it. Finish with a dry rag for faster drying time.

If the existing paint is peeling off, remove as much of it as possible, sanding it by hand gently with a medium-grit paper. Afterwards, sand it with a finer grit to smooth it out. If there are rusty spots, this procedure will also be sufficient, but you can use steel wool as well if you need. Wipe the sanded rusty parts clean, and follow it up with a rust prevention spray to stop any more from accumulating.

Step 2 - Choosing the Best Paint

There are two types of appliance paint that can be used to coat the interior of the oven: brush-on and spray-on. The best type to use is spray paint because it saves a lot of time and effort; however, brush-on paint may come in handy for small spot repairs. When going shopping, make sure not to buy just any paint on the market. Because some paints contain toxic chemicals that may enter the food in the oven, always ask for the right type. Ask the store to provide an appliance paint that is designed for microwave use.

Step 3 - Painting the Oven

Never spray paint if the oven interior is still wet or if it still has grease on it. Wear rubber gloves, safety glasses, and a mask for protection while using an aerosol paint to avoid any health risks.

As soon as all preparations are complete, start spraying the microwave until the paint covers the surface completely. Avoid spraying too much in one area; try to keep your coat of paint as even as possible all around.

For the brush-on type, simply apply the paint consistently on all surfaces. Wait for the paint to dry completely before using the oven. It is recommended to allow it to dry overnight while the door is still open. Do not close the door because obviously this will prevent air flow from getting into the microwave, which will slow down your dry time. The next day, touch the paint to check that it is ready for use.