An oven that doesn't heat correctly makes cooking unpredictable. Whether food is coming out undercooked, burned, or your oven just won't reach temperature, here's what's usually behind it.
Oven Not Reaching Temperature
The most frustrating problem — you set 375°F but the oven never gets there.
Most likely causes:
- Faulty bake element (electric) — the heating coil at the bottom of the oven has burned out
- Weak gas igniter (gas) — the igniter glows but isn't hot enough to open the gas valve
- Faulty temperature sensor — the sensor that monitors oven temperature is sending wrong readings
- Oven needs calibration — ovens drift out of calibration over time
Quick test: Put an oven thermometer inside and set the oven to 350°F. Check the actual temperature after 20 minutes. If it's more than 25°F off, you have a problem.
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Book an Oven Repair
Oven Heating Unevenly
Food burns on one side or the bottom while remaining undercooked on top:
- Failed broil element — the top element has failed, affecting heat distribution
- Faulty temperature sensor — reading incorrectly, causing temperature swings
- Worn oven door seal — heat is escaping from around the door
- Convection fan failure (convection ovens) — the fan that circulates heat has stopped working
Oven Taking Too Long to Preheat
If your oven takes 30+ minutes to preheat:
- Weak bake element — partially working but not at full power
- Weak igniter (gas) — same issue, partially functioning
- Oven door seal worn — heat is escaping
Most modern ovens preheat to 350°F in about 10–15 minutes. Significantly longer than this indicates a component issue.
Gas Oven Won't Light
If your gas oven clicks but won't ignite, watch the igniter in the dark — it should glow bright orange within 90 seconds. A dim, slow glow indicates a weak igniter. Never try to manually light a gas oven that isn't igniting.
When to Call a Professional
Test oven calibration yourself using an oven thermometer. Everything else — bake element replacement, igniter replacement, sensor replacement, gas system issues — requires a certified technician.
FixWell serves San Francisco and Marin County with fast, same-day oven repair.
FAQ
Why does my oven burn the bottom of everything?
The bake element is running too hot, or the oven temperature is running higher than set. Test with an oven thermometer.
Can I use my oven if the bake element is broken?
You can use the broil element only, but the oven won't heat evenly. Get the bake element replaced before using it for normal cooking.
How much does oven repair cost in San Francisco?
Most repairs range from $220–$390. Bake element replacement is one of the most affordable. FixWell provides upfront pricing before any work begins.