Kenmore (Roper) stove thermostat calibration

[dalangdon]

My hobby project is this 1960’s Kenmore electric range (probably made by Roper). The burners all work, but the upper oven thermostat is wildly out of calibration. I’m used to calibrating the oven thermostats on Frigidaire ovens, but this one mystifies me. The only way to get to the thermostat seems to be to take both the front glass and the top off, and I can’t imagine that Sears put their customers and repair people through that much expense/labor hours.

 

[combo52]

Roper built Kenmore range

The thermostat would normally be adjusted with a tiny straight blade screwdriver in the middle of the shaft for the thermostat knob.

Bear in mind if it’s off more than 50° you probably need a new thermostat also if the temperature is not consistently off the same amount the thermostat is also wonky and needs to be replaced.

A lot of older ranges like this were quite involved to repair, today. Things are generally easier to repair, but not always.

John.

 

[petek]

Just in case. The sensor in the oven cavity isn't bent and touching or near touching the wall

 

[dalangdon]

I checked the sensor and it seems OK. Here is a picture of the oven control with the knob off. I'll give adjust it a try

 

[petek]

any luck?

 

[dalangdon]

I'm back across the mountains, so I won't have a chance to look at if for a few weeks, but I am looking forward to trying this.

Is the best way to do it to have it set in the off position and turn the screw counter clockwise?

 

[jamiel]

The thing to remember is that you're not actually adjusting the thermostat, you're adjusting the dial by a tiny bit so that the indicator moves just a tiny bit warmer or cooler.

 

[combo52]

Calibrating an older oven thermostat

Set the thermostat to 350° put a reliable thermometer in the middle of the oven and wait until the temperature stabilizes should take around a half an hour.

Then set the thermostat dial to the temperature that the oven has stabilized at say 300 or 400 or whatever then remove the knob without disturbing its rotational position hold the shaft of the thermostat with a needle nose, pliers and take your small screwdriver and adjust the adjustment screw until the heat just goes on or off at the temperature that the oven is at presently.

On this type of thermostat, you actually are adjusting the thermostat and not just the setting or position of the knob, many ovens do have a system where you take the knob off and adjust the orientation or indexing of the knob Only.

John

 

[dalangdon]

Preheat function

I’m working on the calibration, and I think I’m almost there. The trouble with this stove is that there’s not an indicator light or even a click then it reaches temp. (Actually, there is a light, but I think it’s burned out).

While I’m thinking about it: what is the function of a “preheat” mode? Does it heat the oven up quicker? My mom’s 70’s era electric stove had one, but I don’t remember ever using it. We just turned the oven on and let it get to temperature.

 

[DADoES]

 
Preheat typically runs the broil and bake elements simultaneously to more quickly reach the target temperature.

 

[neptunebob]

Now I have a question...

I have the GE Artistry gas range and it may need a new thermostat, as I have adjusted the knob as far as it will go and it still runs cooler than it should, more than 50 degrees.

I have found out that a new thermostat is more than $200 nearly half the cost of the range. This is just a hydraulic (I believe) thermostat in a non-self-clean oven.

Is there anything lower priced I could do? It is away from the oven wall. Or should I just plan on a new range?

 

[combo52]

Older roper, built electric oven

Yes, the preheat setting turns to bacon broil element on full blast until it reaches the temperature selected, with this type of system. Just be sure to turn the oven back to bake before putting food in or it may burn on the top

Bob, usually if a thermostats off more than 50° you need a new thermostat, if you like the stove fix it, if you’ve always hated the stove, replace it.

It is away from the oven wall, what does that mean?

John

 

[neptunebob]

Someone mentioned that the sensor tube might be touching the wall of the oven and that could make the temperature inaccurate

 

[combo52]

Oven thermostat sensor

Touching the inside wall of the oven, this will have very little effect however, it would tend to make the oven run a little hotter if anything, not cooler.

Pictures and model numbers always help Bob if you want us to help evaluate whether you should fix the stove or not, happy New Year’s

 

[dalangdon]

Oven hinges

Happy New Year, Everybody!!!

So I've finally had a chance to take a look at this stove again. I've got the door seated correctly (I think) but I still can't get the tabs to push down to engage with the little round things that hold the door in place. I know the tabs are slightly bent - the former owners did a real number on this poor stove - and I straightened them out a bit, but nothing seems to be holding them up from that part.

Any thoughts?