A toaster oven is a type of oven that is used to toast bread and other items. They are more complex than toasters, and are typically more expensive. This means that repairs are easier to justify. Toaster ovens are less compact than toasters, and are often easier to work on.
Toaster ovens come in two types: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal toaster ovens are simply toasters that toast bread and related food products horizontally. Vertical toaster ovens are miniature ovens that have more wattage and allow you to bake and broil foods.
To use a toaster oven, the user sets the controls, places the food on a tray, and then closes the door. If set for toasting, the toaster thermostat will activate the upper and lower heating elements. If set for baking or broiling, the baking thermostat will activate the heating elements. There are a variety of toaster oven models, but they all generally work in the same way. The following suggestions can be used to diagnose and repair most problems with these ovens.
Toaster oven repairs typically include servicing the main switch, the thermal fuse, the heating element, and the solenoid.
The main switch on a toaster oven is an important operating part that often needs cleaning or replacement.
Remove the side panel.
Check the contact points for pitting. If the contacts are not making good contact, carefully rub them with very fine sandpaper, then clean them with an electrical contact cleaner spray or isopropyl alcohol on the end of a cotton swab.
If the contacts are fused or the leaves broken, the main switch should be replaced. Main switches are fastened to the chassis with clips, screws, or rivets.
A thermal fuse protects the small toaster oven's main switch from damage caused by an electrical overload. If the main switch doesn't work, check the thermal fuse using a continuity tester or multitester. The thermal fuse should show continuity rather than an open circuit. If defective, remove and replace the thermal fuse with one of identical rating.
To test a heating element, simply apply voltage to it. If it is functioning correctly, the element will heat up and glow. There is a clear path for electric current by touching a continuity tester or multitester probe to each end of the element.
If the toaster oven has a clear path, the heating element can be replaced by unscrewing both ends and any support brackets. If the toaster oven does not have a clear path, the heating element must be removed.
Replacing a heating element is a simple process. The heating element is removed by disconnecting it from the power supply and unscrewing it from the heating element housing. The new element is then installed in reverse order, making sure not to distort the shape of the element. Once the element is installed, it is reconnected to the power supply and tested.
If the electric current to the heating elements is turned on and off by the solenoid, and if the heating elements are staying on longer than they should, or turning off when the appliance door is opened, the solenoid may be defective. To test and replace a solenoid, you need to remove the screws that hold it in place, and then unplug it.
To test a solenoid, look for visible damage and smell the area around the solenoid for obvious damage to components. Use a continuity tester or multitester to verify your findings. If the solenoid is damaged, replace it.