In this section of Home Improvement, explain some of the basic problems related with kitchen ranges, cooktop and ovens and their solutions and how to repair and fix these problems. I will try to explain in the simplest way so that you can do it yourself.

Single Burner of My Electric Cooktop doesn’t heat properly. What Electric Cooktop: Single Burner Doesn't Heat Properly. What is the problem and how to repair and fix this?

This is one of the most common problems with single burner of electric cooktop. Here is how you can fix this problem:

- Turn off the power and determine what type of burner you have.

- Test the faulty burner in another receptacle. If it is working you need to replace the faulty receptacle. If it doesn't work, you may need to replace the burner.

- If you have a flip-up burner, disassemble and try to find out the faulty parts. Replace the faulty burner and any other faulty parts if required.

- Restore power and test the burner. If it is still not working, you may need to call an appliance repairperson.

The most common problem with gas ranges is that of the flame – ether the flame is not right or it is nonexistent. Many of the new gas ranges have electronic ignition. These spark igniter starts the flame as gas flows through the burners.

When you turn on a burner and it fails to spark but you hear sparking at other burners, it is possible that the igniter or the burner switch needs replacement. If your range has a pilot light, make sure the pilot light is lit.

What to do if the burner doesn't work at all?

- Make sure the circuit breaker is "On" or the fuse has not blown. Reset the circuit breaker or replace the fuse if required. If the circuit blows again, most probably there is a short in the electrical system. Call an electrician or technician to repair and fix it.

- If there is now problem with the circuit breaker or the fuse, make sure the appliance is plugged in and the switch is turned on. Also make sure that the appliance's power switch itself is turned on. If it isn't on, turn it on and wait a few minutes.

- If there is now problem with the power supply, make sure the thermostat or heat dial is set properly.

- If the appliance has a pilot light, make sure it is working.

If none of the above steps solve your problem, you need to call your gas utility or an appliance service technician or appliance repairperson.

If your oven doesn't maintain the set temperature, the first thing to do is to make sure no one is allowing the heat to escape by opening its door. If this is not the case, the oven control either needs to be re-calibrated or replaced.

If your oven has a calibration on the knob, you can calibrate it as follows:

1) Remove the oven temperature knob by pulling it off its shaft. Be careful while pulling the knob.

2) Note the current setting and carefully move the pointer in either direction to adjust the temperature slightly up or down. On some models you may have to remove a couple of screws before doing the calibration. Moving the pointer one notch will change the setting by 10 degrees F.

If there is no calibration point on the knob, you may have to call an appliance repairperson to adjust the thermostat's calibration.

If your oven bakes food unevenly or burns food, it generally means that the heat is not getting distributed evenly throughout the oven. Some heat may be escaping through the door there is some problem with the adjustment of the controls.

Here is what you can do:

1) Remove any aluminum foil from racks or the bottom of the oven.

2) Check the door gasket. Replace it if required.

3) Make sure nothing is obstructing the vent.

4) Reposition the oven racks so that the baking pans are not too close to the heat sources. This could be one reason why the food is getting burnt due to overheat.

5) Dark baking pans may be burning your food. Reduce the temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit when baking in dark metal or glass pans.

If you think there is some problem with the controls you can recalibrate them by following the steps mentioned above.

If the burner doesn’t turn off, most probably; the gas valve or furnace limit switch is defective.

Turn off the gas to the furnace by turning the inlet valve.

Because you cannot do this repair work yourself, call your utility company or a furnace repair technician.

Is your oven electric or gas?

There can be two reasons why your electric oven's bake or broil element is not working properly:

1. It is not receiving electric power; or
2. There is some problem with the element or oven control and it may need to be replaced. In most cases, the wiring to the elements gets burnt or broken.

Here is how to check if the element is burnt or broken:

- Make sure the stove is plugged in. If it is plugged in, check the circuit breaker or fuse.
- Make sure the controls are set on the proper setting.

If everything is ok, most probably the element is burnt or broken.

Here is how you can replace the element:

- Unplug the oven and let all the parts cool.
- Unscrew the mounting screws that secure the element bracket to the oven, and carefully pull out the element.
- Take the element to a parts dealer, along with your oven's model and serial number, and buy a replacement. Try to get the replacement parts as suggested by the manufacturer.
- Reverse the process to install the new part.

If you are not sure how to replace the faulty element, call an appliance repairperson.

If you have a gas oven and it doesn't get hot, it could be because of any of the following reasons:

1. It is not receiving gas;
2. The gas valve isn't distributing gas to the oven burner; or
3. The ignition system (electronic ignition or pilot light) is not working properly.

Most common problem with ovens that have a pilot light is that the pilot light has gone out.

Here is how to troubleshoot your gas range:

1) Make sure the controls are set to the proper setting.
2) Check the gas valve and make sure the gas supply is turned on and that the house's main gas valve is also turned on.
3) On a stove with a pilot light, make sure the pilot light is burning. If not, relight it.
4) If you have an older stove, adjust the pilot flame.
5) Turn off the gas, and unplug the stove.
6) Using a stiff wire, clean out the oven burner ports.
7) Plug in the stove and turn the gas on. Relight the pilot if any.

If your oven still doesn't work properly, call an appliance repairperson.