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Every year, about 800,000 ranges are sold to consumers that are unsafe, but how can you know if you are one of the unlucky ones?  There are certain signs that will tell you that your stove is not working properly and might even be a hazard. They are as follows: 

• If you have a gas range and find that your eyes and/or nose are constantly irritated, there may be a leak somewhere and you need to call for assistance immediately. You might also be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. For any stove, if you feel dizzy or lightheaded, your stove may be polluting the air and you need to leave the house immediately.
• If the top of the range becomes very hot when the oven is on, there is a problem with your range.
• If the range seems lighter than you’re used to or seems to wobble, it could be easily tipped and injure you or someone in your household. Choice magazine ran an article recently warning consumers of this hazard.
• If you purchased an electric stove and the oven won’t heat up or the burners won’t go on, it indicates that there may be a short in the system.
• If you have a ventless gas stove and you find that the air quality in your home is poor – this is a common complaint about this type of stove. Canada has banned ventless appliances, but they are still sold in the United States.
• Knobs on the stove come off too easily.

Finally, if there is a recall on your stove, don’t use it. Some range hazards are created by you and should be taken care of immediately. These include: 

• You have an overloaded outlet, if two or more major appliances are plugged into the same outlet.
• You find frayed chords connecting the range to the outlet.
• Smoke from the oven when baking indicates that there is likely a build-up of grease inside. This is a potential fire hazard.
• The oven door won’t close properly, so whatever you bake does not cook in the allotted time.
• Food and other debris have built up on the burners and smoke arises when you turn them on.
• Your stove is quite old and often needs repairs.

Many of these should be taken care of by you as soon as possible. Make sure that your range is cleaned regularly as well to avoid any potential hazards. As soon as you notice food or grease spills, let the oven cool and wipe them up.  If you purchase a good range, proper care and maintenance will keep it operating effectively and you shouldn’t have any serious problems.

However, if you find that you do need assistance with maintenance, parts or repairs and live in the Los Angeles County area, go to www.chiefappliance.com.  A West Coast Chief Appliance service technician will be happy to help you. The technicians are also available at no extra charge at night and on weekends and holidays. West Coast Chief Appliance also sells various models of new ranges. 

There are a number of potential problems you can run into with your gas or electric range, but many of them you can fix yourself. Before you attempt any repairs, make sure the power or gas is turned off first. Some things you should be able to fix include: 

• If a burner on an electric stove doesn’t work, you need to determine how it is wired. If it is direct-wired, you need to pull out the element to get to the insulator. Once you’ve opened it, inspect both halves. If the element is the plug-in type, take a look at the prongs first. If they look burned or appear damaged, you need to replace them. If they look fine, put the element back in place. Sometimes, this is enough to get it working again. If not, you need to replace it. If you have a range with a glass top over the elements, you need to lift it to get at the wiring. Carefully disconnect the receptacle and replace it with a new one.

• If you have a gas range and the ignition fails to turn on the burners, there may be a problem with the igniter or burner, or the pilot light is out.

• If the burner ports seem to be clogged, you can use a thin wire or needle to open them.

• If the oven and/or broiler don’t heat up, the pilot light is likely out on gas ranges. On electric stoves, this can indicate a blown fuse or that the circuit breaker needs to be reset.

• If you bake something in the oven and it is not ready in the allotted time, the capillary bulb has probably been pushed out of place or the vent is blocked. If neither one seem to be the problem, check that you set the temperature correctly.

• If your meat or other items don’t broil as they should, you need to check the thermostat. Also, ensure that you’ve put the rack in the appropriate position.

• If the power goes out and when it comes back on the burners on your gas range won’t work, you can restart them yourself. Turn the control to Start and light the burner head.

• If you find that your oven smokes while baking, whatever you are broiling may be too close to the burner or the broiler drawer needs cleaning.

• If your range wobbles, you can correct this by adjusting the feet underneath.

To keep your range operating at peak performance, you need to keep it clean as well. However, if something still goes wrong, you can refer to the owner’s manual to help you understand how your range works. If you cannot fix the problem yourself, it is time to call a professional. 

If you live in the Los Angeles County area, go to www.chiefappliance.com. West Coast Chief Appliance offers maintenance, parts and repair at reasonable prices and service technicians are available nights, weekends and on holidays. If you need to replace your range, West Coast Chief Appliance also has various models for you to choose from.