And This Time It's The Oven..
Back in May I wrote about replacing the electronic console on my dual fuel Thermador stove. Recently as I was preparing a meal for a friend of mine, the element in the oven started burning a bright white flame - almost like a welders arc - finally went out and now the oven didn't work. I managed to finish the dinner using my gas grill. Did a little research and decided that replacing the element didn't seem like a big task, so I ordered a replacement from Bosch.
Once the element arrived I compared it to the existing one and it looked right. Was worried since my stove is about 20 years old. Turned off the breaker (stove has 220 volt so you don't want to mess around), pulled out the unit and unplugged it. Had to remove a trim piece at the top and the back panel to get to the electrical wiring. Immediately could see where the old element came through the back and clipped into the wiring. At first I thought the element was soldered but then realized it had blade connectors and I was able to disconnect the element from the wiring by pulling on both ends with pliers.
I was then able to unscrew the element from inside the oven and remove the old element. I was going to reinstall the replacement element but decided instead to clean the oven while the element was removed and finish the installation the next day. I removed the racks and made a paste of baking soda and water. I rubbed it all over the walls, bottom and door of the oven and let it sit overnight. I took the racks up to my bathtub. Lined the tub with an old bath towel, laid the racks in the tub, added about 1/4 cup liquid dish detergent and filled the tub with enough hot water to cover the racks.
Next morning I took a sponge with a scrubber on one side and scrubbed down the racks. All the grease and a lot of the black came off. Laid the racks on another old towel on the floor and dried them off. Looked great.
Next I wiped down the inside of the oven to remove most of the baking soda paste again using a sponge with a scrubber. Lots of the black and grease came off as I wiped. I then put some white vinegar in a spray bottle and sprayed the interior. Used the sponge to again wipe away any paste or vinegar. Finally wiped the interior with a damp old cloth to remove any remaining residue.
Now to finish the element install. Put the new element in place pushing the ends through the openings in the back of the oven. There was some insulation around the hole where the element goes into the back so I made sure that was properly secured. Took the two wires with the blade connectors and pushed them over the ends of the new element. Before I put the back on the stove I plugged it in, reset the breaker and tested that the oven was working. All seemed fine so I cut the breaker again and reinstalled the rear panel and piece of trim. Pushed the oven back into its position (my model is a slide-in type unit), turned on the breaker and I was set to go.
New element and a clean oven to boot. Just wondering what will be the next thing to break on this unit. I can't believe twice now I've been able to repair my stove. Saved myself a lot of money and learned a lot each time as well. Can now add appliance repair to my growing skill set since moving to this farm almost seven years ago. What an adventure!
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| THERMADOR RDSS30RS |
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| BLADE CONNECTORS |
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| NEW AND OLD BROKEN ELEMENT |
I was then able to unscrew the element from inside the oven and remove the old element. I was going to reinstall the replacement element but decided instead to clean the oven while the element was removed and finish the installation the next day. I removed the racks and made a paste of baking soda and water. I rubbed it all over the walls, bottom and door of the oven and let it sit overnight. I took the racks up to my bathtub. Lined the tub with an old bath towel, laid the racks in the tub, added about 1/4 cup liquid dish detergent and filled the tub with enough hot water to cover the racks.
Next morning I took a sponge with a scrubber on one side and scrubbed down the racks. All the grease and a lot of the black came off. Laid the racks on another old towel on the floor and dried them off. Looked great.
Next I wiped down the inside of the oven to remove most of the baking soda paste again using a sponge with a scrubber. Lots of the black and grease came off as I wiped. I then put some white vinegar in a spray bottle and sprayed the interior. Used the sponge to again wipe away any paste or vinegar. Finally wiped the interior with a damp old cloth to remove any remaining residue.
Now to finish the element install. Put the new element in place pushing the ends through the openings in the back of the oven. There was some insulation around the hole where the element goes into the back so I made sure that was properly secured. Took the two wires with the blade connectors and pushed them over the ends of the new element. Before I put the back on the stove I plugged it in, reset the breaker and tested that the oven was working. All seemed fine so I cut the breaker again and reinstalled the rear panel and piece of trim. Pushed the oven back into its position (my model is a slide-in type unit), turned on the breaker and I was set to go.
New element and a clean oven to boot. Just wondering what will be the next thing to break on this unit. I can't believe twice now I've been able to repair my stove. Saved myself a lot of money and learned a lot each time as well. Can now add appliance repair to my growing skill set since moving to this farm almost seven years ago. What an adventure!
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| NEW ELEMENT AND CLEAN OVEN AND RACKS |
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