Amana Oven: not holding temperature

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Amana oven is not holding temperature, you may notice it heats but struggles to maintain the set temperature, resulting in uneven cooking. This can lead to frustrating cooking experiences, with internal temperature fluctuations during preheat and cooking cycles. Understanding the common causes, such as a faulty heating element or inaccurate temperature sensor, can help you troubleshoot the issue effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Amana ovens can suffer inaccurate temperature regulation due to weak elements or control board voltage issues; official calibration guidance exists for temperature offset. (producthelp.

Possible Causes

Faulty or weak heating element.

How to Identify: Element does not glow evenly (electric or oven takes excessively long to reach temperature; visible damage or blistering on element; gas igniter takes long to ignite and cycles poorly.

Part: Bake element (electric) or igniter (gas)

Inaccurate temperature sensor or thermostat.

How to Identify: Oven temperature measured with an external thermometer diverges significantly from set temperature consistently; sensor may be touching oven wall or show incorrect resistance when tested.

Part: Temperature sensor / thermostat

Oven control board malfunction.

How to Identify: Temperature behavior inconsistent after other components test fine; oven cuts heat too early or fails to cycle correctly.

Part: Control board

Oven calibration drift.

How to Identify: External thermometer shows consistent offset from set temperature within moderate range; adjusting calibration changes accuracy.

Part: Thermostat calibration / control settings

Oven door gasket leaks.

How to Identify: Visible gaps or wear in door seal; heat escapes causing temperature drop; may feel heat at edges when oven running.

Part: Oven door gasket seal

DIY Solutions

Test and Replace Heating Element or Igniter

Moderate 30–90 minutes
Tools Needed: multimeter, screwdriver
  1. Turn off power and disconnect oven.
  2. Inspect the bake element for visible damage or use a multimeter to test continuity.
  3. If broken or lacking continuity, remove and replace element/igniter following model-specific instructions.
  4. Restore power and test temperature performance.
⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power before working inside the oven.

Test and Replace Temperature Sensor/Thermostat

Moderate 30–90 minutes
Tools Needed: multimeter, screwdriver
  1. Turn off power and unplug oven.
  2. Locate temperature sensor inside oven cavity; check that it isn’t touching wall.
  3. Measure resistance with multimeter; if out of spec, replace sensor.
  4. Reassemble and test oven temperature accuracy.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure sensor wiring is reconnected correctly.

Recalibrate Oven Temperature

Easy 10–20 minutes
Tools Needed: external oven thermometer
  1. Place an oven thermometer inside and set oven to a target temperature.
  2. Compare actual temp to set temp after preheat.
  3. Adjust calibration using oven control settings if supported by model.
  4. Retest until within acceptable range.

Professional Repairs

Control Board Diagnostics and Replacement

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

Gasket Seal Replacement

Estimated Cost: $30 - $100

When to Call a Professional

Persistent temperature fluctuations after DIY tests.
Oven shows electrical faults or error codes related to control panel.
Gas ovens where igniter or gas valve work needs inspection.

Preventive Maintenance

  • Use an external thermometer periodically: Unnoticed temperature drift or calibration issues
    Frequency: monthly
  • Inspect oven door gasket: Heat leaks that affect temperature stability
    Frequency: annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Oven not holding temperature?
Common causes include a faulty heating element, inaccurate temperature sensor, or a malfunctioning control board.
How do I fix Amana Oven not holding temperature myself?
You can test and replace the heating element or temperature sensor, or recalibrate your oven's temperature.
How much does it cost to fix not holding temperature?
Professional repair costs range from $150 to $400 for control board diagnostics and $30 to $100 for gasket seal replacement.
When should I call a technician for not holding temperature?
If DIY solutions don't resolve the issue or if you're uncomfortable with repairs, it's best to call a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

65%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty temperature sensor (thermistor) causing inaccurate temperature readings.
  • Malfunctioning control board not properly regulating the heating elements.
  • Worn-out door gasket allowing heat to escape, leading to temperature loss.

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Test and replace the temperature sensor. Unplug the oven, locate the sensor inside the oven cavity, disconnect it, and replace it with a new one. Reconnect and test the oven.

  2. Inspect and replace the control board. Unplug the oven, remove the back panel to access the control board, check for any visible damage, and replace if necessary.

  3. Check and replace the door gasket. Inspect the gasket for tears or wear, and replace it if damaged to ensure a proper seal.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Amana Oven never holds temperature

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