This is the place to discuss not just allotments but all general gardening problems and queries which don't fit into the specific categories below.
(formerly allotments and tips, hints and problems)
Has anyone does it? Is it easy to do.
The last time I used it the oven stopped working half way through cooking sunday dinner
The cooker has a gas hob, electric grill and electric fan oven.
Everything works - the lights, fan, grill etc, but the oven no longer gets hot. I can only think the element has broken, it is only four years old. I don't want to have to buy a new cooker for the sake of an element.
It is a Simpson brand
Hi Possum. Try looking for a set of fuses. Not sure if your stove has them, but we use to have one. The fuses were in the back of the upstand.
Some oven elements just push in. Give it a gentle pull and see if it comes out ok. Or ring an appliance repair firm and ask their advice.
Robin
'You know you are a hard-core gardener if you deadhead flowers in other people's gardens.
To err is human. To blame someone else, is management potential.
hi, I had a look in the instruction book and it doesn't mention anything about fuses (though neither does it mention changing the element, so can't go by that I guess)
It's not impossible that the element has gone, but is is quite far down the list of likely causes; it could be the switch or thermostat; it could be a broken or loose wire. A fuse is really eliminated by the fact that everything else works.
You are going to have to take the back off the oven to check further. Before you do this, however, be aware that the law now forbids you fiddling with electrical stuff in the kitchen these days, beyond basic stuff like changing a lightbulb. Having said that, with a bit of intelligence there are things you can test for safely, and I promise not to tell anyone.
Diagnosing the cause of the problem is really a process of elimination; if you have some sort of AVO meter (it measures Amps, Volts and Ohms) it will make things a whole load easier, but one of those neon screwdrivers would help. Basically, you need to follow the flow of current through the circuit and find where it isn't getting through. Changing the part is usually pretty straight forward, once you have found it. But if you have any doubts, I guess you're gonna need an electrician.
Edit:
As you're NZ based, the bit about not being able to do your own kitchen electrics may not apply.
Being NZ based means that you are allowed to do even less yourself as far as electrics goes. Other than replacing an electric light switch, you really aren't meant to do anything.
I rang a place about getting parts and the guy said pretty well what you did. that it could be anything and it probably would be cheaper to get them to look at it and fix it first time rather than randomly buying parts and trying it, he thought it was probably the thermostat. So I am dropping it off to them to have a look this week, I would have done it yesterday(friday) but I have guests coming to dinner on sunday so need it till then
It might be small, but I reckon getting it repaired has to be more environmentally friendly than buying a new one.
