Maytag Electric Oven Problem

[suesue]

I have the same model electric oven (maytag CWE9000ACB)with the same problem as ohara6z91. We have replaced the oven sensor probe and that did not fix the problem. the lower bake element seems to work and the broil also heats up when you switch to broil but the bake temp is WAY off (about 75-100 degrees) we dont own an ohm meter. should we buy one and start checking things out?

[Dan O.]

Originally Posted by suesue

the bake temp is WAY off (about 75-100 degrees)

Well there's only 2 things that can be responsible for the oven temperature being out, the oven sensor or the electronic control. Since you say you replaced the sensor and the symptom is still the same, that just leaves the electronic control?

same problem as ohara6z91

Not quite, theirs doesn't heat above 220 when set on 550! That's considerably different than only being out 100°?

we dont own an ohm meter. should we buy one and start checking things out?

There's not a lot of checking that can be done for such a symptom. The sensor would be one but if it's new, I would be leaning toward it being good. As long as the element(s) glow red when the oven is turn on, they are doing all that can so that just leaves a defective control which can't be checked itself.

You're certain whatever you're using to judge the actual temperature is accurate? Cheap, store bought oven thermometers are notorious for being inaccurate.

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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[suesue]

It is a cheap store bought oven thermometer I am using to check the temp. But it is probably pretty close based on the time it is taking to cook things now vs. when it was working correctly.

I was hoping you weren't going to say the electronic controls because from what ohara6z91 said these arent even available anymore and even if they are I am sure they are pretty expensive. probably not worth putting that much money into at the age it is. (14 years old). sounds like I may be going oven shopping this weekend.

[Dan O.]

Originally Posted by suesue

I was hoping you weren't going to say the electronic controls because from what ohara6z91 said these arent even available anymore

Yes, some controls can however be repaired/rebuilt. There is one company I know of that specializes in that, you can find them listed at the following link:

LINK > Appliance411: Appliance Links: Restoration

and even if they are I am sure they are pretty expensive.

Electronic controls often cost $150-250+ new.

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

[suesue]

thanks for the link for the place that may be able to rebuild the controls. I will check that out. a coworker of mine mentioned that the broiler element should turn on during the bake cycle. I don't think mine does. it does work during the broil cycle though. do you think this could be bad?

and another question.....could I just adjust my temperature and keep using my oven? I could just set the oven the 100 degrees higher than whatever the recipe calls for? or would that cause other problems? I would like to hold off on replacing as long as possible.

[Dan O.]

Originally Posted by suesue

the broiler element should turn on during the bake cycle.

On most ovens, the broil element is only used during the initial 'pre-heat' cycle of a bake. After that only the bake element cycles on and off to maintain temperature.

I don't think mine does. it does work during the broil cycle though. do you think this could be bad?

No. An electric range/oven element will usually either work or it won't, all the rest is determined by the control. If the element is working at all, it is likely good.

LINK > How do I test an electric stove element?

could I just adjust my temperature and keep using my oven?

An oven can usually still be used when the temperature is out... depending. Unfortunately, most electronic controls will not allow you to adjust the temperature display more than ~ +/-35°F. Check you owner's manual.

I could just set the oven the 100 degrees higher than whatever the recipe calls for? or would that cause other problems?

I can't see why that wouldn't work. Hopefully the amount the temperature is out stays uniform and does not creep up over time.

I however would suggest you NOT leave the range unattended while in use just in case of some other type of control malfunction occurs.

I would further suggest you NOT use the self-clean feature as the oven normally gets to 850°F+ during a 'clean' cycle. Who knows what might happen if the control doesn't know what the true oven temperature is at.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~