DIY Appliance Repair: The Do’s and Don’ts of At-Home Oven Repair

Getting dinner on the table can be a major pain when your oven or stove isn’t working right. However, the great news is that, in many cases, homeowners can complete oven repairs both safely and effectively. That means you can save money over hiring an appliance repairman and still get your range returned to complete working order. When it comes to oven repairs, safety is the number-one priority, so keep these do’s and don’ts at the forefront of your mind.

Do: Turn off the electricity prior to starting the repair process. This step seems obvious, but you’d be amazed at how many people forget to cut the power before they start tinkering with their appliances. For your safety, make sure that your stove is unplugged and/or that the relevant breaker in your electrical panel has been tripped.

Don’t: Attempt to work on a gas oven or stove. While taking safety precautions with electric stove repair is as simple as disconnecting the power and using personal protective equipment, dealing with gas appliances is much, much more complicated. The risks simply outweigh the benefits. Instead of potentially creating a gas leak, starting a fire, or causing other hazards, when you find yourself in need of gas range repair, call in the pros!

Do: Use the resources available to you. Doing your own appliance repairs doesn’t really mean going it alone: There are numerous at-home oven and range repair resources available to you. From your appliance’s owner’s manual to online forums, how-tos, and diagrams, there is a ton of information out there that can help you diagnose and repair your stove. Many appliance repair stores that sell parts also offer advice for do-it-yourselfers, so don’t forget to ask for installation recommendations when you stop to purchase any stove repair parts you need to complete the job.

Don’t: Use an oven that is sparking, smoking, or on fire. If you’ve completed your repairs, plugged your oven back in, and something goes wrong, turn it off immediately! Make sure you have a chemical fire extinguisher on hand to put out any electrical fires, as water can actually make an electrical fire worse. If you end up in this tricky situation, where your repairs have somehow gone awry, you’ll probably want to leave the troubleshooting in the hands of the pros. Once you describe both your repair process and the resulting smoke, sparks, or fire, your appliance repairman should be able to pinpoint what went wrong and properly resolve the oven repair issue(s).

And remember, if you don’t feel comfortable with trying to fix your own range or you get in over your head, it’s always best to call a professional appliance repair company. The health of your appliance and the safety of your home (as well as your personal safety) should always win out over saving a buck or two.