Investing in a Wolf oven means owning one of the best cooking appliances in the industry, but that doesn’t exempt it from heating issues. Why won’t my Wolf oven heat up? Make sure you’ve allowed for adequate preheating time so the oven reaches its set temperature. Explore the 5 most common reasons a Wolf oven won’t heat up and how to solve the problem.
Wolf Oven Won’t Heat Up? Here’s What to Do.
When your Wolf oven won’t heat up sometimes the solution is a simple adjustment or DIY fix. In other cases, only a professional repair will do. Use these Wolf oven troubleshooting tips to figure out what’s going on and the right steps to restore function.
Oven Power Issue
If you find your Wolf oven not heating at all, first determine if it’s receiving power. Even gas ovens require electricity for the igniter and other components.
Here’s how to assess for an oven power issue:
- Check the power cord: Make sure it’s plugged in properly and free of damage.
- Make sure the outlet provides the correct voltage: Gas ovens require a standard 120V outlet, while electric models need 240 volts of alternating current. Multimeter testing can confirm that the outlet’s voltage is correct.
- Look for tripped breakers: Check your home’s circuit breaker box and reset any tripped breakers. Keep in mind that a gas oven uses one standard breaker while an electric oven uses a larger, double-pole breaker.
Insufficient Preheating
Regardless of the Wolf oven features, you utilize when cooking, sufficient preheating is essential for achieving the desired outcome. Whether it’s gas or electric, a lack of preheating time results in your Wolf oven not getting hot enough to cook properly. This results in underdone food and longer cooking times.
You’ll know your gas oven is sufficiently preheated when the preheat indicator light is no longer illuminated. On electric models, the letters “lo” should disappear from the display panel. Both signs indicate that the set temperature is reached. If you still feel like your oven isn’t hot enough, even with proper preheating, make sure the door is fully closed. Lastly, check the door seals for gaps or tears that can allow heat to escape, lowering the internal temperature. A broken door seal must be replaced.
Faulty Oven Convection Fan
In convection model ovens, a fan circulates the heated air inside, resulting in faster and more even cooking. If your convection model Wolf oven won’t heat up sufficiently or cooks unevenly in longer amounts of time, the fan may be faulty.
Check the fan blades for obstructions that can prevent their rotation, removing any accessible blockages. If the fan’s blades are damaged or its motor shows no continuity with multimeter testing, it must be professionally replaced.
Wolf Oven Element Failure
A failed heating element is one of the most common reasons a Wolf electric oven won’t heat up. These elements at the top and bottom of the oven glow bright red and generate heat when they receive electrical current.
The following signs indicate that one or both of the heating elements has failed:
- The oven won’t heat up at all or food remains raw on one side.
- Visible damage, like breakage or blistering.
- The heating element fails to illuminate or has an interrupted red glow.
A failed heating element can’t be repaired and should be replaced by a professional service. Sometimes, the high heat of an oven’s self-cleaning cycle can damage heating elements. To avoid this risk, most oven cleaning tips recommend natural cleaning methods with vinegar and baking soda.
Wolf Oven Igniter Not Working
Is your Wolf gas oven not heating up at all? It’s possible the igniter isn’t working properly. For a gas oven to generate heat, the igniter must draw up enough electricity to open the valve that allows gas to flow. It must also create a spark to light the gas and heat up the oven. If the igniter fails to perform one or both of these tasks, a Wolf oven won’t heat up at all.
To determine if the igniter is faulty, observe it while it tries to light the gas. If it glows for more than 90 seconds without lighting the gas or shows no continuity with multimeter testing, it should be replaced.
The technicians at Apex Appliance Service can perform any Wolf range repair. Call us for a professional assessment of this superior luxury brand.
