Signs Your Oven Thermostat Is Failing (And Why It Matters)

If your oven isn’t performing like it used to — burning the edges of food, undercooking meals, or taking ages to heat up — the problem might not be with your recipes. It could be your thermostat.

At The Repair Master, we frequently replace or recalibrate faulty oven thermostats in homes across Sussex, Kent, and Surrey. While thermostats may be small components, they play a huge role in your oven’s performance and safety. Here’s what you need to know about oven thermostats, how to spot signs of failure, and when to call in a professional repair expert.

1. What Does the Oven Thermostat Do?

The thermostat controls the oven’s internal temperature. Once you set the temperature on your oven, the thermostat signals the heating element or gas burner to reach that level and maintain it throughout the cooking process.

If it’s not working correctly, your oven will either:

• Overheat, causing burnt or dried-out food

• Underheat, leaving food raw or uncooked

• Fluctuate wildly, making baking or roasting unpredictable

A faulty thermostat compromises consistency, energy efficiency, and safety — especially in gas ovens.

2. Common Signs Your Thermostat Is Failing

Here are the tell tale signs that your oven’s thermostat needs repair or replacement:

a. Uneven Cooking

Food is done on one side but raw or cold on the other. This is especially common in baking, where precision matters most.

b. Oven Runs Too Hot or Cold

Your oven might beep to signal it’s ready, but the temperature inside is way off. You may also notice food cooking much faster or slower than usual.

c. Oven Takes Too Long to Heat

If your oven takes significantly longer than normal to reach temperature, the thermostat may not be triggering the heating element correctly.

d. Temperature Doesn’t Match Dial Setting

If you set the oven to 180°C but it runs at 220°C (or 140°C), it’s likely that the thermostat is misreading or malfunctioning.

e. Inconsistent Results

If the same dish comes out differently every time, or some meals are half-burnt and half-raw, the thermostat might be sending irregular signals.

3. Thermostat Faults in Gas vs. Electric Ovens

While the symptoms are similar, the repair process differs:

• Gas ovens use thermostats that regulate flame size and ignition timing. A faulty thermostat can lead to incomplete combustion or temperature spikes — a serious safety concern.

• Electric ovens rely on thermostats to control heating elements. A failed thermostat may cause elements to stay on too long or not at all, leading to poor temperature control.

At The Repair Master, our engineers are trained to handle both systems and use brand-specific diagnostic tools to verify faults and calibrate or replace the thermostat correctly.

4. Can a Thermostat Be Repaired?

In some cases, yes — particularly if the issue lies in calibration. But often, especially in older ovens, a full thermostat replacement is the safest and most effective option.

We stock thermostats for major brands including:

• Aga, Rangemaster, Falcon

• Bosch, Neff, Siemens, Beko

• Zanussi, Hotpoint, and more

Most replacements can be completed on-site during the first visit.

5. How to Prevent Thermostat Failure

While age and use eventually wear out most thermostats, here are some tips to extend its life:

• Don’t slam your oven door — it can loosen internal components

• Clean around the temperature sensor regularly

• Avoid extreme temperature shifts (e.g. cooking at max temperature often)

• Book a yearly oven service, especially for gas or LPG appliances

We offer servicing throughout Sussex, Kent, and Surrey to help you avoid unexpected breakdowns.

Final Thoughts

A failing thermostat might start as a minor inconvenience — but left unchecked, it can waste energy, ruin meals, and even create safety hazards. Whether you have a traditional gas oven or a modern electric model, trust The Repair Master to diagnose the issue and get your appliance back to working perfectly.

Book your oven repair today at https://therepairmaster.co.uk — your trusted local experts in Sussex, Kent, and Surrey.