Ge Oven: not maintaining temperature

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your GE oven struggling to maintain the set temperature? This common issue can lead to improperly cooked meals, with significant fluctuations causing frustration in the kitchen. Understanding the underlying causes, such as faulty heating elements or thermostat calibration, is crucial for achieving consistent cooking results.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Ge Models

  • GE ovens allow thermostat calibration via control panel; refer to model manual for exact steps
  • Some GE models automatically adjust temperature in convection mode affecting perceived maintenance

Possible Causes

Faulty or damaged heating elements (electric models)

How to Identify: Visually inspect elements for breaks/blisters; element doesn’t glow red when heating

Part: Bake and broil heating elements

Incorrect oven thermostat calibration

How to Identify: Oven temperature measured with thermometer varies significantly from set temperature even with good elements

Part: Oven thermostat / calibration setting

Faulty oven temperature sensor

How to Identify: Sensor gives incorrect resistance on multimeter; oven cycles erratically or doesn’t reach temperature

Part: Temperature sensor probe

DIY Solutions

Inspect and replace heating elements (electric)

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, multimeter
  1. Turn off power at breaker and ensure oven is off
  2. Visually inspect lower and upper heating elements for damage
  3. Test elements for continuity using multimeter
  4. Remove mounting screws and replace faulty element with matching GE part
⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power before servicing electrical components

Calibrate oven thermostat

Easy 10–20 minutes
Tools Needed: oven thermometer
  1. Place oven thermometer inside oven on middle rack
  2. Preheat to set temperature and compare thermometer reading
  3. Use oven control panel calibration feature (per manual) to adjust temp up/down
  4. Re-test until internal temp is within acceptable range
⚠️ Safety First: Refer to specific model manual for calibration instructions

Test and replace temperature sensor

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: multimeter, screwdriver
  1. Turn off power to oven
  2. Locate interior temperature sensor (usually at back wall)
  3. Disconnect sensor and measure resistance with multimeter
  4. Replace sensor if out of spec
  5. Reassemble and test oven temperature
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure correct replacement part for model

Inspect and adjust oven door gasket

Easy 15–30 minutes
Tools Needed: none or basic tools
  1. Inspect gasket for tears or gaps
  2. Clean gasket and surrounding surfaces
  3. If gasket is worn, order replacement and install

Professional Repairs

Replace igniter (gas models)

Estimated Cost: $80 - $200

Control board diagnostics and replacement

Estimated Cost: $200 - $450

Replace thermostat or internal control components

Estimated Cost: $100 - $300

When to Call a Professional

Evidence of gas-related problems (igniter, gas valve)
Persistent failure after DIY checks (elements, sensor, calibration)
Faulty wiring, error codes, control board issues

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean oven interior regularly: Heat distribution issues due to grease or debris
    Frequency: monthly or as needed
  • Test oven temperature with thermometer periodically: Drift in thermostat calibration or sensor accuracy
    Frequency: annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my GE Oven not maintaining temperature?
Common causes include faulty heating elements, incorrect thermostat calibration, or a malfunctioning temperature sensor.
How do I fix GE Oven not maintaining temperature myself?
You can inspect heating elements, calibrate the thermostat, or test the temperature sensor with a multimeter.
How much does it cost to fix not maintaining temperature?
Professional repairs range from $80 to $450 depending on the issue, such as replacing the igniter or control board.
When should I call a technician for not maintaining temperature?
Consider calling a technician if DIY solutions are unsuccessful or if you're uncomfortable with complex repairs.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

25%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Temperature sensor malfunction (2 mentions)
  • Heating element issues (2 mentions)
  • Control board failure (1 mentions)
  • High limit switch failure (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replace faulty oven sensor

    Success rate: 17.0%

  2. Test and potentially replace heating elements or control board

    Success rate: 0.0%
Analysis based on 4 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Diagnosing faulty oven
  2. GE 30” slide-in front controls gas double oven, lower oven n...
  3. GE Oven Next Step beyond Replacing Sensor and Element
  4. How do I test GE oven High Limit Switch?

Community Discussions

Propane stove won't maintain temperature

Replace the ignitor as it may be weak.

DIY View on Reddit →

lower oven not maintaining temperature

Test the oven sensor for resistance; if faulty, replace it.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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