When it comes to kitchen disasters, nothing throws a culinary spanner in the works quite like a temperamental oven.

If your cooker is tripping out more than The Beatles in their ‘60s heyday, the results can be more than a little frustrating.

Keep your oven from blowing hot and cold with this handy guide, guaranteed to help you bring your oven back down to Earth and your cooking back to reality.

Reasons My Cooker Keeps Tripping

If your oven is on the blink worse than the three-eyed fish from The Simpsons, getting to the bottom of the issue can be akin to looking under the car bonnet at a steaming engine. To the untrained eye, knowing what to look for can be virtually impossible.

That being said, for most electric ovens that trip when turned on, the issue is usually related to either the circuit or the wiring. Unfortunately, neither is remedied with a sharp love tap to the side or a simple reset at the mains and, chances are, you’re going to need expert help to resolve it.

Nevertheless, when it comes to fixing a tripping oven, knowledge is most certainly power. To help you get on the right track to ovenary nirvana, here’s a rundown of the most likely causes of your cooker’s triptastic tendencies.

The Circuit

If your oven is causing the electric to trip faster than a drunk on ice, the most likely culprit is the circuit. Sadly, the intricacies of the oven circuitry will almost certainly require a pro in its restoration.

If multiple devices have been linked to the same circuit as the cooker, a professional technician will simply unplug the other devices to identify the issue. This should stop the oven from tripping the RCD (residential current device) and an upgrade may be necessary.

The Wiring

When the oven is off, the power current of the oven should be zero. However, if the current is greater than 0.3A, then there could be a problem with the oven wiring.

Additionally, there may be an issue with the terminal blocks, which are present in most European installations. If these are misplaced or positioned incorrectly, this could also be what’s causing your oven to trip.

Meanwhile, terminal blocks are also prone to deterioration, so it could simply be a case of the blocks needing replacement. A qualified technician will be able to identify this and assist you, if this is indeed the case.

The Components

If the circuit and the wiring are perfectly fine, the components may be the problem and are the next logical feature to investigate.

Once it’s been confirmed that no additional devices are connected, turning on the oven to a low temperature will allow you to identify whether or not it’s the components that are the issue.

If it trips immediately, the issue likely resides in the fuse; however, if it doesn’t instantly trip, it confirms that the fuse is in working order.

From there, if the electric trips when you raise the temperature, the problem is most likely the heating elements and you will require a replacement element. Once again, a qualified tech will be able to arrange this for you easily.

Out of the components, the four most likely elements to break are:

• Thermostats
• Switches
• Fan Motor
• Lamp

Expert Assistance

The world of oven repairs can be a minefield for anyone not well-versed in the art of electrics and any attempts at a DIY solution can leave you cluelessly staring at hardware and exposed wires like Riggs and Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon 3…hopefully with less fireworks.

If your oven does keep tripping the mains, it’s strongly recommended that you consult a professional for their assistance and expertise. While it can be tempting to tackle the problem yourself, attempting to take on any electrical task without the know-how can be extremely reckless and cost you more than just the price of an oven.

For more information on oven repairs or if your technician recommends a specific oven part you need to find, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 02920 452 510 or get in touch online by clicking the button below.

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Buying new cooking equipment can an exciting endeavour for foodies and those that spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Unfortunately, getting rid of the old equipment to make way for the new can be notably less fun.

For those that own a small car, disposing of an old appliance can be a real pain in the boot. Meanwhile, if you have no personal transport at all, it can be nigh-on impossible without a helping hand and four helping wheels.

Luckily, as always, Cooker Spare Parts has you covered. If you have old kitchen equipment in need of shifting, save yourself a headache with this handy guide on how to dispose of appliances.

Recycling Old Appliances

The best way to dispose of any kitchen or household appliance is, of course, to recycle it.

This not only ensures you are safely disposing of the item in a responsible manner, preventing pollution, it also benefits the environment by enabling the materials to be reused.

To make this fact abundantly clear, the WEEE Directive was implemented in the UK in 2006 as a means of reducing waste products and cutting down on littering, fly-tipping and land-fill waste.

Focussing on waste electrical and electronic equipment (hence WEEE), this directive eventually became law in 2014 and allows for the safe disposal of most electrical items.

Despite this fact, government figures estimate that there are still around 2 million tonnes of WEEE items needlessly discarded in the UK every year.

What Appliances Can Be Recycled?

In a nutshell, you can recycle pretty much any electrical item that has a plug or requires batteries (within reason).

From fridges, washing machines and oven disposal to microwaves, toasters and iron clearance, you’d be surprised at just what you can recycle.

This even extends to a myriad of other electrical items, ranging from TVs and computers to games consoles and musical instruments.

If a product isn’t recyclable, it will usually be distinguishable by a small logo of a wheelie bin with an X through it. When in doubt, consult Prof. Google for further clarification.

How Do I Recycle Appliances?

To make things extra easy, there are actually a number of ways in which you can recycle your old electrical appliances.

We’ve listed the most common and popular methods of recycling appliances below for you – so there are no excuses for any of them ending up in your bin come collection day!

Collection on Delivery

If you have bought a new appliance from a high-street store or online supplier, you may be in luck right away. Many stores and suppliers offer to remove your existing piece of equipment on delivery of your new one.

This service is often offered in exchange for a small removal fee, typically starting at £15 for a large item. Meanwhile, some may even dispose of it free of charge if you bring it into the store.

However, it’s worth noting that this by no means a universal service, so be sure to check its availability beforehand.

Council Collection

If such a service isn’t on the table, an easy alternative is to simply put in a request to your local council.

Most councils operate a collection service of electrical items, including bulky items like ovens, fridges and washing machines (provided you let them know in advance).

This is also a great option if you are simply looking to get rid of an appliance that is faulty or beyond repair.

That being said, it’s worth noting that some councils will also charge a small fee for this service, so make sure you read the small print before you book.

Recycling Centres

If you’re mobile and would rather go down the independent route, there’s nothing stopping you from taking the proactive approach and disposing of it yourself.

Now, to be clear here, we’re in no way suggesting you load up your fridge in the back of a van a dump it in a shady layby. That, ladies and gentlemen, is fly-tipping and very much illegal.

We are, however, very much endorsing the use of local recycling centres. Simply take your item to your local recycling point and follow the instructions accordingly.

To locate your local recycling centre quickly and easily, follow the link and enter your address details to find a centre near you.

If you would like to know more about appliance disposal, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 02920 452 510 or click the button below to get in touch via email.

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When someone is cooking up a storm in the kitchen, there are few things that compare to the sweet, sweet aroma of a finely cooked dish.

Whether it’s a freshly made sauce on the stove, a roasting chicken in the oven or even the scent of toast gently browning in the toaster, the slightest whiff can get the taste buds tingling and the mouth salivating.

That being said, the cacophony of odours can create quite the aromatic cocktail over time and leave you with a less than harmonious oven smell (particularly when it comes to fish and meat).

Avoid a smelly oven with these tips to keep your oven smells under control.

How to Remove Odours from your Oven

When your oven smells become too much to handle, you can deodorise an oven in a number of different ways; however, you don’t even need to reach for the industrial power of chemical oven cleaners to do so.

In fact, perhaps the quickest and easiest way to neutralise your oven smells is to enlist a helping hand from Mother Nature. Here are three sure-fire techniques to rid your oven of its nasty odours naturally.

Lemon

A great natural way of getting rid of oven smells is to enlist the awesome citric power of lemons. In addition to smelling great, they also make for a great way to loosen grease for a one-two punch of citric power.

First, fill a large oven-proof dish with about an inch or so of water. Next, slice two or three lemons in half and squeeze the juice into the dish, placing the squeezed lemon halves into the dish as well.

From there, simply pre-heat the oven to 120 C, place the dish on the rack and leave it to boil over for up to an hour, depending on the extent of the smell. Voila – one citrus fresh oven!

Vanilla

Another fantastic natural ingredient for masking odours, vanilla is a great alternative for a sweet-smelling kitchen.

Simply mix a teaspoon of vanilla extract with a small bowl of water and mix. Dip a cloth into the mixture and ring out the excess water until you’re left with a damp cloth.

From there, use the damp cloth to wipe down the inside of the oven, making sure to cover all walls, roof, base and racks. Repeat this process two or three times to ensure the whole oven is appropriately coated.

Much like the lemon method, you can also use the evaporation technique to deodorise your oven. Simply follow the same steps using an oven-proof dish and an inch of water, replacing the lemon juice for a teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Oranges

Much like lemons, the citrusy goodness of oranges makes them the perfect weapon for a fresh smelling oven.

However, unlike the lemon method, you only need the peel for this approach (so feel free to snack on the juicy segments while you prep).

All you have to do is peel an orange and place the skin on a baking tray in the oven. Leave them to bake for up to an hour and – hey presto – you should be left with an odourly wonderful tropical scent.

So, there you have it: three unbelievably easy ways to rescue your smelly oven from the stench of defeat. If your oven trays, racks and pans are simply beyond saving, you can always get a replacement here at Cooker Spare Parts. Click below to get in touch today.

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Has your Zanussi oven stopped working? There's a long list of reasons why your oven has become faulty, but fear not. We can help you determine the root of the problem and advise you on the best way to fix it. 

Zanussi Oven Not Getting Hot

If your Zanussi oven is warming up a little, but not getting as hot as it should be, then it's likely that your thermostat is faulty.

The thermostat in your Zanussi oven regulates the internal temperature, so if you suspect yours is damaged or broken, you should stop using your oven and resolve the problem immediately. Continuing to use your Zanussi oven with a defective thermostat is a serious safety risk! 

At Cooker Spare Parts we offer a selection of thermostats for Zanussi's gas and electric ovens. We're sure you'll be able to find the part you need in a few simple clicks. You can browse our selection of Zanussi thermostats by clicking the appropriate buttons below:

Gas thermostats >      Electric thermostats >

Need help fitting your new thermostat? We've got you covered! Take a look at our step-by-step guide, we'll walk you through the process.

Help me fit my thermostat >

Zanussi Oven Not Working At All

If your Zanussi oven is not heating up at all then it's probable that your oven element is broken. 

If your oven is switched on at the mains, turned on as usual and supposedly 'ready to go', then it should definitely be getting hot! If for you, this isn't the case, then a new oven element is definitely on the cards. Luckily, replacing your oven element is fairly simple and they're not too expensive to replace. You can view all the Zanussi oven elements we offer by clicking the button below.

Zanussi oven elements >

If you find that these spares don't resolve the problem with your Zanussi oven, all hope is not lost! We have a huge range of spare parts for Zanussi ovens. Browse all of them here:

All Zanussi spare parts >

A noisy oven can be a major annoyance for any homeowner, particularly if you spend a lot of time cooking or hanging out in the kitchen.

However, a riotous racket from your cooker could be an indication of something far worse than just audio irritation.

If your oven is turning your kitchen into a clamorous karaoke of cooker noises, don’t chalk it up to being “one of those things” – it’s likely a sign that your oven is need of some overdue TLC.

Investigating a Noisy Oven

In addition to ruining the kitchen ambience with its dinnertime din, a loud cooker can also raise serious alarm bells over the health of your appliance.

A noisy oven can be a tell-tale sign of a serious problem with your cooker. Think of it as a cooker’s cry for help and your oven’s way of alerting anyone in earshot that it’s in dire need of assistance.

If your oven is making such a piercing plea, don’t read it the last rites and fork out on a replacement. The solution could be a lot simpler and a lot less expensive!

Diagnosing a Noisy Oven

More often than not, an uncharacteristically noisy oven typically points to an issue with the oven’s fan motor. That being said, most ovens have two fans: namely the cooling fan and the circulation fan.

Like any appliance, these components can and will wear over time as they reach the natural end of their lifespan. For oven motors, this often causes them to make a loud rattling noise when the oven is on.

To get to the bottom of it, it’s time to channel your inner sleuth and get inspecting. But remember, safety first, kids - be sure to disconnect your appliance from the mains before you do so.

Fixing a Noisy Oven

A noisy oven fan can be the result of something as simple as a loose blade or fixing nut. To eliminate this possibility, it’s worth tightening any loose screws/bolts to ensure everything is securely held in place.

Oven fans usually consist of three separate parts: the fan motor, the blade and the fixing nut. If all parts are securely in place and the noise still persists, you may need to replace a fan part.

If you have diagnosed your issue and would like a replacement fan/motor component, click the button below to browse our stock of replacement parts.

Browse Oven Fan Motor Parts

Replacing an Oven Fan

Once you’ve diagnosed the problem and identified the part that needs attention, you can now tackle the task of solving the issue and replacing the problem part. That being said, it’s often not as easy as you might think.

Replacing an oven fan can be both difficult and dangerous, particularly if you don’t know what you’re doing. What’s more, with so many oven brands, models and variations on the market, prior maintenance knowledge of one oven can be entirely different for another.

A botched DIY job could void your warranty, while a failed attempt of fixing the issue could exacerbate your problems even further. As such, if you’re unsure, your safest bet is to call in a pro to check it out for you.

That being said, if you are intent on flexing your mechanic muscles and intent on doing your own oven overhaul, be sure to do your homework beforehand. Consult your manual and research your oven’s make and model thoroughly before getting your hands dirty.

For more information on fan motors and oven fan parts, call now on 02920 452 510 or use the button below to drop us a message online.

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