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irishh7 · Sep 25, 2007, 09:28 AM

Hi! I have a White-Westinghouse gas oven with electronic ignition, model #GF835FXW and serial #XFF7016T. It is approximately 23 years old. It was here when we moved into this house 2 years ago. Two times in the past week ,(9/20) and (9/23), when I preheated the oven, it took a long time to reach the temperature I put it on. On 9/20, it took @ 1 1/2hours to cook two frozen pizzas. That night I purchased an oven thermometer to check the temperature. I set it to 400 degrees and it took about 25 minutes to reach that. On 9/23, the same thing happened when I was trying to cook a roast. I had to turn the oven up more than 400 degrees and then back down once it heated up. Once it reaches the right temperature, it does stay there. I checked it again yesterday morning, 9/24. Once again, I set it to 400 degrees and it took @ 25 minutes to reach that temperature. This is the first problem I have noticed with this oven.

Does anyone have a possible reason for this? Is it even worth getting fixed?

Any help would be appreciated,

Irish

tickle · Sep 25, 2007, 10:09 AM

I have had that problem with my older oven every time I start playing with the buttons on the control panel. The last time that happened (slow heating) I found (after playing with the buttons again) it was the time set for the oven. The other time it was one of the elements, so I couldn't blame my fingers again.

Are both elements working in the oven, top and bottom. You may need one of them replaced.

irishh7 · Sep 25, 2007, 10:16 AM

Hi! Thanks for the quick reply! My husband looked at it last night and the top element (for the broiler) is working, as well as the one on the bottom for the oven (it turned red, so I guess that means it is working). My husband seems to think it could be a thermocouple (spelling?), but I am not sure if an oven uses that. It seems as though the gas is taking a while to be brought into the oven to heat it. As far as controls, mine are the old fashioned manual ones (no digital). I did check these to make sure, but they are o.k.

Any ideas on how much it would cost to repair if an element was bad?

Thanks again,

Irish

labman · Sep 25, 2007, 11:55 AM

Can you hear the gas cycle on and off? It should come on and stay on until it reaches the temperature. Can you see the flames? If so, do they look the way they always have? If not, a simple cleaning of the jets might work. If they are yellow, it may not be getting enough air. This is serious, because it could be producing carbon monoxide. You may or may not be able to find and fix the problem, but it is very important to do so. See

When it comes to fixing old stuff, I intend to hang on to all the old stuff I have. I can fix much of what might go wrong. Too many new appliances have those &^%$#@$*&^***@%%$$** electronic controls that quickly start flashing lights that only a technician can figure out. Or perhaps you could just spend half the price of a new on on a control board yourself.