Is your oven ready for holiday cooking? Make sure it can bake

What to do if your oven won’t bake

Your oven has probably been lying dormant all summer. Make sure your oven is working so it can cook all those tasty holiday meals and treats.  Here are some common reasons why gas and electric ovens do not bake and how to fix them.

Gas oven does not bake.

Check the timer controls. An automatic cycle setting could be preventing the oven from lighting. If you have an electronic display, try unplugging the oven to reset the controls.

Most gas oven systems today use an electronic ignition to ignite the gas flame in your oven.  An electric current will pass through the ignitor and the ignitor in turn allows the gas safety valve to open. It does this by heating an internal piece of bimetal to open the gas valve.

Most times when an oven won’t bake, it’s because the bake ignitor has gotten weak or it’s just burned out. The ignitor is a small round or rectangular device located near the burner. The ignitor is wired in series with the gas safety valve.

If this ignitor is weak or burned out, it won’t heat enough to lower its resistance to the point where the bi-metal strip gets enough electricity to heat up and allow the gas safety valve to open, and it will not release gas to the burner assembly. When this happens, you may have to replace either the ignitor or the gas safety valve. Many times it’s the ignitor that is to blame, and cheaper to replace.

Gas Ignitors come in two basic types, ‘flat’ and ‘round’, and these parts are not interchangeable, so make sure you are ordering the correct part for your oven. You can do this by looking up parts by your Gas Oven’s Model number. The part list will show you the correct parts you need for your particular gas oven model.

• Examples of Flat Gas Oven Ignitors
• Examples of Round Gas Oven Ignitors
• Read more about Gas Oven Glowbar Igniters and how they work.
• Read more gas oven repair tips online

Electric oven does not bake

Check the controls and make sure the delay-cook or delay-start options are not running. Some ovens have a lock-out feature and the oven will not work until this feature is unselected.

The most common reason for an oven not to bake is that the heating element is burned out. Check the bake element for continuity with an Ohm meter or simply look at the terminal ends for signs of corrosion. Look for obvious signs of burning, bubbling, or blistering on the element itself and replace the bake element if you see any signs of damage. A properly working element glows cherry red.

Read more about why electric ovens do not bake online here: http://www.apwagner.ca/index.php?main_page=page&id=7#Q13

Canadian affiliates can earn 13% commission through the new APWagner.ca Affiliate Program

Approved Canadian affiliates can earn 13% commission on sales of appliance parts and accessories each month in Canada through the new APWagner.ca Affiliate Marketing Program.

Canadian webmasters and bloggers who provide appliance repair and appliance-related information on their site are invited to join APWagner.ca’s Affiliate Marketing Program which is run through the LinkConnector.com Affiliate Network.

After applying and being approved, download and place APWagner.ca banner ads, links, coupons and search boxes to your site. Each time a person clicks on one of APWagner.ca’s ads from your site and purchases something from the APWagner.ca Website, you earn a portion of that sale depending on your commission rate.

Commission rates ranging from 11% – 13% are offered and vary based on the total amount of sales for the month generated through Apwagner.ca Ads on your site. The more you sell — the higher commission you earn and the more money you receive.

In addition to attractive commission rates, the program also offers affiliates a 90-day sale cookie duration. This means that if a user visits the APWagner.ca Website through an ad placed on your web site and, in 89 days, returns to APWager.com to make a purchase, you will receive a commission for that sale.

Canadian and U.S. based web sites and bloggers who provide web users with valuable, original, and well-written content about appliance repair, appliances, and home improvement projects are encouraged to join.

To apply to the affiliate program, sign up for a free account on LinkConnector.com.

Visit APWagner.ca to learn more about the program.

Apwagner.ca has one of the most comprehensive appliance parts inventories in the industry with over 4 million parts in stock. We carry new, factory-direct appliance parts for over 150 manufactures including Maytag, Inglis, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, General Electric, Kenmore and Sears.

APWagner.ca offers quick shipping throughout Canada on parts for all major household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, gas and electric ranges, clothes dryers and more.

Make money selling appliance parts from your website or blog

APWagner.ca Launches Canadian Affiliate Marketing Program

Aqua Secure Hoses for the Environment and Wallet

Hot and Cold Water Aqua Secure Hoses

Hot and Cold Water Aqua Secure Hoses - Sale price: $50.22 (individually) --You Save: $10.80

Sale price: $50.22 (individually)

Compare at: $61.02

You Save: $10.80

Effectively impact the environment and your wallet with these aqua secure hoses. The aqua secure hoses which come individually for hot and cold water are designed to be a resource saver. The 5′ aqua secure hose consists of a sealed inner and outer hose and a leak detection / shut-off assembly. A spring holds a plunger open allowing the inner hose to carry water. If an inner hose ever should leak, water fills the outer hose where a sponge in the hose end (connected to the water line) absorbs water, pulling a plunger down to stop water flow and show red in the indicator window. The outer hose is sealed and won’t leak. Both hot and cold water aqua secure hoses are available for sale at AP Wagner.

Appliance Repair Questions?

Is your washing making a strange thumping noise?  Does your refrigerator not stay cold?  Why isn’t your dryer turning on?  For these questions and more visit AP Wagner’s Appliance Repair Forum for knowledgeable answers.  For best results know your appliance model number.  AP Wagner has been a trusted source for appliance parts since 1928!  Right answers, right parts, right away!

Visit the Appliance Repair Forum Today!

AP Wagner Becomes Authorized Dealer of Samsung Appliance Parts

Buffalo, NY, May 21, 2009 – AP Wagner, a top appliance parts company, is proud to announce, that they are now a fully authorized distributor for Samsung appliance parts.

We are a fully authorized distributor for Samsung appliance parts.

AP Wagner has the most popular Samsung appliance parts already in stock and plans to continue growing its Samsung inventory as the most comprehensive source, for Samsung appliance parts in the US.

Additionally, Samsung appliance parts purchased from AP Wagner can be used by authorized servicers to complete Samsung product warranty calls.

AP Wagner is very excited to offer their customers the ability to purchase Samsung appliance parts, as well as the added convenience of being able to fulfill all of their parts needs at once.

AP Wagner is a dedicated leader in the distribution of appliance parts and accessories with 81 years experience. They service appliance dealers, service technicians and do-it-yourselfers. AP Wagner’s main headquarters are located at 2205 George Urban Boulevard in Depew, New York.

For More Information:
Christine Smith
716-961-7142
Csmith@apwagner.com
www.apwagner.com
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How your energy efficient appliances could be costing you money

Here’s an interesting article from USA Today about how people buying energy efficient appliances are actually not saving any money. That’s because people are using their appliances more and in inefficient ways. This whole phenomenon is called the “Snackwell Effect.”

“Just as dieters might binge on Snackwell’s low-calorie cookies, people who buy energy-efficient items for their homes sabotage their efforts to save power – often by using the appliances more heavily, studies have shown.”

Read the rest of the story here: “Consumers can sabotage their energy conservation efforts.”

The article does offer a suggestion: “One solution: Devices that tell people how much electricity they use hour-by-hour, so they know the power consumed by a particular appliance.”

That could be helpful if it makes people develop new habits that help them save energy. Obviously, buying energy-efficient appliances and products, is not enough in itself, people need to develop new habits and practices in order to save energy and money.

• Always wash a full load of laundry and/or dishes. Exclusions to this rule are heavily soiled items of laundry or clothing you think might “bleed” and delicate items of clothing. For your dishwasher, wash fine china, delicate glassware, or hand-painted items by hand.
• Wash items in cold water, it often gets your laundry just as clean.
• If your clothes dryer has drying detecting sensors, use them. They are more reliable on detecting when your laundry is dry, than set time limits on your clothes dryer’s timer.
• To avoid unnecessary ironing, remove clothes from the dryer right away.
• If you live in a warm climate or if it’s summer, hang a clothes line and let your clothes line-dry.
• If you are preparing small meals or snacks, see if you can microwave the food rather than popping it in the oven.
• Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
• Maintain and clean your appliances. If appliance parts are cracked or broken, you could be losing money by having your appliance work harder to maintain proper temperatures, such is the case with the refrigerator.

Get the most out of your energy-efficient appliances and make sure you are using them in a way that saves you money.

Common problems with range vent hoods

Here are a few problems range vent hoods have and some answers on how to fix them:

Why is there no power to my range vent hood at all?

Fan and Light Switch Kit Maytag 12001128 -Sale price: $28.71

Most range vent hoods are designed to be wired directly into the household power supply, so if you have no power, check your fuse box or circuit breaker panel.

Why doesn’t my range vent hood fan work?

If the light is coming on, but the fan isn’t, your problem is with the fan switch or the fan motor. You can access these from under the hood, without removing it. Check the fan switch (in the on position) for continuity. If there is continuity, then replace the fan motor.

Why is my vent fan running at only one speed?

Aluminum Range Vent Hood Filter Set Misc 97007893, sale price $19.06

The first thing to check are the filters on your range vent hood. If these are full of grease, they could stop the flow of air and the fan may sound like it is only running at one speed. Once your filters are clean, you can check the fan switch and the fan motor to see if they are the problem. You can get to these from under the hood, without removing it.

Why is my fan moving air, but it’s not going outside?

Many vent hoods circulate air, but not all push the air outside of the home. You can tell if yours is a circulate-only, a vent-type hood, or a convertible hood by close examination of it.

Models with vent openings near the top front that the air blows through could be a circulate-only type of hood or a convertible type hood.

Models that have duct work coming out the top or back are probably a vent-type hood. Close examination will reveal what type you have.

If your hood has the vents in the front and the metal ductwork, then it is convertible. Careful inspection of the control panel may show a switch or lever to change where the range vent hood directs the air.

More Information:

• Range Vent Hood Repair Tips
• Range Hood Appliance Parts
• Locate the model number on your appliance
• Get diagrams of your range vent hood in order to fix it
• Charcoal Range Vent Hood Filters

FixIT: Burners do not work on gas stove

Make sure you have turned the knob to the light position first. Then turn the

Burner Knobs Maytag 12200034 - Sale price: $39.06

knob to the desired heat setting after you have a flame. If you have recently cleaned your range, are you sure everything is dry? Moisture may prevent the electric ignition from working properly. If you hear clicking when the burner is supposed to be off, make sure the knob is turned all the way to off, and that the knob has popped out.

Gas Range burners are round and have small holes evenly placed around

Gas Range Sealed Burner Kit Maytag 74003963 -Sale price: $32.43

their perimeter. These holes allow gas to flow out and create a controlled flame when lit. Sometimes the gas orifices get plugged and the gas can’t get through to be ignited. The trick is to clean them without making the holes any bigger. You need to clean the burners thoroughly. Many people use a toothpick, old toothbrush, or a small pin to clear the holes, allowing the gas to flow freely. If, after cleaning the burners, they still don’t light, you should call a professional appliance repair person.

Sometimes ranges have different size burners on them. If you have recently

Gas Burner Control Valve Maytag Y07596101 - Sale price: $71.04

cleaned the burners, it is possible you put a small burner cap on the large burner, or vice versa. Double check to make sure this isn’t the problem, and make sure they are seated properly.

 

 

For more information:

• Gas Range/Stove/Oven Repair Help
• Common Questions about Gas Ranges
• Gas Stove Repair help – where to post your question to get an answer
• Gas Oven Replacement Parts
• Kenmore Gas Range Replacement Parts
• Frigidaire Gas Oven Replacement Parts
• Maytag Gas Oven Replacement Parts

Upgrade your clothes dryer duct work to prevent fires in your home and business

All too often, I come across stories in the news about dirty clothes dryers and lint-clogged vents causing fires in homes and businesses. Here’s such a story from HartfordCourant.com in Hartford, Connecticut.

“EAST HARTFORD: Clothes Dryer Malfunction Cited In House Fire“. The cause of the fire was, “Backed-up lint in the clothes dryer.”

Plastic, foil covered clothes dryer ducts sag and bend easily, creating pockets that catch lint which can lead to a fire.

“The incident, while minor, should serve as a lesson on appliance maintenance, said Assistant Fire Chief William Perez, who said the dryer’s vent pipe was clogged with lint,”

Need more convincing? Here’s another story from The Grand Rapids Press in Michigan, about a business that was destroyed by fire. The cause of the fire was, again, lint in the clothes dryer.

“Dryer suspected as cause of business fire”

“Fire investigators told owners of a spa damaged by a fire Tuesday that lint in a clothes dryer likely caused the blaze.”

“Amy Glass was at the spa Tuesday morning and had been doing laundry. She started the dryer and left to go to her daughter’s home about a mile away. When she returned, the building was in flames. A passing motorist reported the fire.”

Read the rest of the story online: “Dryer suspected as cause of business fire”

If you have the kind of clothes dryer ducts made from easily bendable foil or plastic, upgrade your ducts to ones made of metal, like this Deluxe Dryer Venting Kit

Deluxe Dryer Venting Kit Whirlpool SK8WF -Sale price: $14.32

made by Whirlpool.  This clothes dryer venting kit will not only protect you against dangerous dryer lint build-up, it will also help your clothes dryer be more energy-efficient, helping you  save money on your energy bills.

If you have a long exhaust line, due to the design of your home or apartment, then  get the  Dryer Jet Booster by Whirlpool (Part number:9460DJ).

The Clothes Dryer Jet Booster will boost the drying power of your clothes  dryer and has an automatic on and off switch which can be  aligned  with the drying times used by your clothes dryer.

The Clothes Dryer Jet Booster will help reduce drying times, saving you money,  not to mention wear and tear on your clothes dryer.

Dryer Jet Booster Whirlpool 9460DJ -Sale price: $164.95dryer.

After replacing your old dryer duct work with better, safer, metal duct work, go outside to where your duct work exhausts and make sure your outside clothes dryer vent is properly protected with a dryer vent hood. This dryer vent hood by Whirlpool (Part Number: GVHAW4) comes preassembled and includes removable bird and pest guard to keep rodents and birds from entering your home.

If you are looking for more clothes dryer installation parts, check out

Dryer Vent Hood Whirlpool GVHAW4 - Sale price: $5.99

the selection online at AP Wagner Appliance Parts.com.

Jacoby Appliance Parts Store moves and becomes new AP Wagner Appliance Parts Store

Jacoby Appliance Parts has moved its appliance parts store to 15 Industrial Park Rd. in Albany, N.Y. This has been the location of their parent company, AP Wagner.  With the move, Jacoby Appliance Parts will do business as AP Wagner Appliance Parts.  Jacoby Appliance Parts was formerly located at 1656 Central Ave. in Albany.

“We had two facilities in the Albany area and we wanted to consolidate them, said Mike Taggart, Director of Marketing for AP Wagner.  ”We have a 112,000-square foot warehouse at 15 Industrial Park Road that houses and ships parts for our website business, so it just made sense to have our store in the same building.  Plus, the 15 Industrial Road location is a more central location and is right off of the toll-free section of the I-90 New York State Thruway, so it’s easily and quickly accessible to customers. “

AP Wagner acquired the Jacoby Appliance Parts chain in March of 2008. 1656 Central Ave. was a former Jacoby Appliance Parts store location.

“The Jacoby employees have helped the people of Albany with their appliance parts needs at the Central Ave. location for over 30 years,” said Taggart.  ”We would like our customers to know that they will continue to get the same great service at our new location, along with an improved selection of appliance parts and accessories.”

AP Wagner sells factory-direct appliance parts to the consumer. AP Wagner carries appliance parts for all major household appliances including dishwasher, refrigerators, clothes dryers, washers and more.

Founded in 1928, AP Wagner is one of North America’s largest multi-national distributors of appliance parts and accessories and has stores in the U.S. and Canada.

For More Information visit APWagner’s Appliance Parts News and Press Releases.