Almost every Westinghouse oven is designed to be durable and withstand the highest temperatures possible in the house. Although this might be the case, your oven can still malfunction or, even worse, break. Unknown to many, most cases of malfunctioning or broken-down ovens aren’t because the ovens are of poor quality but rather a result of your baking habits. Here are some of the things/habits that might be hurting your Westinghouse oven.
1. Cleaning The Oven with Abrasive Cleaners
Although all you want is to ensure your oven is all clean and shiny, it wouldn’t be a good idea to use abrasive cleaners on/in your range. While they might seem efficient, they will only damage the enamel and other sensitive parts. That said, you want to pick your cleaners carefully and avoid any cleaners with abrasives on your oven.
2. Overloading It
While your oven might have loads of space in it, this doesn’t mean you should fill it to the door. Cramming dishes and trays in the oven only leads to inadequate air circulation, meaning your food will probably not cook properly or, even worse, burn. Nutritionist Lisa Ren emphasises the health issues that can arise when food is burnt or not cooked properly, which should be avoided at all costs. Overloading also means it will strain to cook the food, or even create a fire hazard. While your Westinghouse oven might take two turkeys comfortably, you need to make sure there’s enough space between the two for even cooking and to allow hot air to circulate correctly.
3. Placing Foil at The Bottom
Most people will cover the lower part of the oven with foil, all in an attempt to catch drippings and avoid a mess. Although this might seem like a noble idea, the foil impedes airflow from the bottom of the oven, causing the heating element to either overheat or break down altogether. That said, it would be advisable to use a tray or dish to catch the drippings, and never a foil.
4. Using The Self-Clean Feature Alone
Some Westinghouse ovens come equipped with a self-cleaning feature, which, according to Melbourne Architect Sally Holbrook, has become a regular choice for clients building or renovating new kitchens. This feature works by blasting temperatures of over 300C to kill any microbes in the fridge. Although a nice feature, it cannot handle the mess built up for weeks or months. This is why manufacturers recommend manually cleaning the oven at least once a week or per month, depending on how often you use it. Manual cleaning makes it possible to remove dirt build-up easily and helps the self-cleaning tool clean more efficiently.
5. Using The Oven as A Heat Source
As tempting as it might be to use your fancy Westinghouse oven to heat your home or kitchen, you simply shouldn’t. The oven is specially designed to cook food and maintain certain temperatures inside the oven cavity. While it might seem like a viable option to heat your home, doing so will only shorten its lifespan. According to Victoria Wide First Aid, using a gas oven to heat your home also presents a fire risk, should there be a gas leak. For this reason, the oven should remain closed at all times whenever in use and only open it momentarily when checking if the food is done.
It is never too late to start caring for your Westinghouse oven. But first, you’ll need to call Local Appliance Repairs Sydney to get it back in shape and running again!
You may call them on 0298633217 or fill in the online form
For more information please see the price page on their website.