Troubleshooting Halogen Oven Problems

A halogen oven.

Halogen ovens are a great alternative way to cook meals while saving time, energy, and space (they sit on your counter top). With the price of electricity slowly rising over the past few years, purchasing a halogen oven is also one way you can help lower your home’s energy costs (if you normally use an electric oven).

Halogen ovens use a halogen lamp as the heat source to efficiently cook food faster than traditional ovens. However, like any other kitchen appliance, halogen ovens can develop problems over a span of time. Luckily, there are a few steps you can follow to discover whatever problem your halogen oven is having and fix it.

Problem One: Your Halogen Oven Doesn’t Have Power

If your halogen oven fails to power on, the first thing to check is the power plug. Make sure the plug is securely connected and check the outlet to make sure it's switched on. If the plug is securely connected to the outlet and nothing seems amiss, then take a look at your home’s circuit breaker to ensure a breaker hasn’t been tripped.

If the breaker has been tripped, simply switch it back on and your oven should power up. If the issue isn’t a loose cord or tripped breaker, then the problem is electrical. Depending on your model, you may be able to purchase a replacement part for the power cord, which is one option if the issue is electrical in nature.

Problem Two: Your Halogen Oven Won’t Power Down

In contrast to the oven not powering up, sometimes a halogen oven has issues turning off at the appropriate time. If this is the case, then the most likely culprit is the oven’s thermostat. To replace the problem thermostat, you will need to locate the right thermostat model for your oven.

You can sometimes find the correct thermostat at a local hardware company or online. Before installing the new one, make sure the oven is turned off and disconnected from the outlet. Then, unplug the old thermostat—this step will vary from model to model, so consult the oven’s manual—and install the new one. After a successful installation, the oven should be able to turn off properly.

Problem Three: The Halogen Bulb Burns Out

The key component to any halogen oven is, of course, the halogen bulb. The oven uses the bulb to generate heat, which eventually cooks the food. If the bulb burns out then the oven will not be able to perform any sort of cooking. Luckily, replacing the bulb is easy after you find out which type of bulb your oven requires. Typically, the bulb is located in the lid, which needs to be removed from the rest of the unit. With the lid detached from the oven, simply remove the glass, unscrew the bulb, and install the new one. Test the oven after replacing the bulb to ensure it's working properly.

Problem Four: The Glass Bowl Breaks

Halogen ovens incorporate a glass bowl to cook food. The bowl normally sits on a rack inside the oven, and it can be easy to accidentally break the bowl when taking food in and out of the oven. If you do end up breaking the bowl, it will need to be replaced before you use the oven again. Unfortunately, you can’t just replace the bowl with any glass bowl you may have on hand. Halogen ovens use specific types of glass bowls and therefore you will need to contact the manufacturer of your halogen oven to find a replacement part.

Problem Five: The Fan Quits Working

Halogen ovens are able to cook food 60 percent faster than traditional ovens in large part due to their ability to reach high temperatures quickly. How are they able to do this? Well, halogen ovens heat up fast because, along with the heating element, they incorporate the use of a fan.

The fan helps circulate the air inside the oven, which in turn distributes the heat evenly. When the fan goes out, the oven isn’t able to accomplish this amazing feat. If that is the case, then you will need to look up the appropriate fan model from the manufacturer. Then, by following the steps outlined in your oven’s manual, replace the old fan with the new and you should be up and running in no time.