Learn the 7 clear signs your cooker is broken and when to repair vs. replace. From strange smells to uneven heating, this guide helps you make a smart, safe decision.
Cooker Issues: Common Problems, Fixes, and When to Replace
When your cooker, a key appliance used for cooking meals at home, often including ovens and hobs. Also known as a range, it’s one of the most used pieces of equipment in any kitchen. stops working right, it’s not just inconvenient—it can throw off your whole week. Whether it’s not heating evenly, the oven won’t turn on, or the hob sparks when you touch it, these aren’t just minor glitches. They’re signs something deeper is wrong. Most cookers last between 10 and 15 years, but when they start acting up before then, you need to know whether it’s a simple fix or the start of a bigger problem.
One of the most common cooker issues, problems that prevent a cooker from operating correctly, often tied to heating elements, controls, or gas supply is a burned-out oven element, the heating coil inside an electric oven that glows red when powered. If your oven takes forever to preheat or heats unevenly, that’s usually the culprit. It’s cheap to replace, and you can often do it yourself with a multimeter and a few basic tools. Then there’s the electric cooker, a type of cooker powered by electricity, commonly found in UK homes with glitchy controls. If the buttons don’t respond or the display shows random error codes, it might be the control board. Replacing it can cost as much as a new cooker, so it’s worth checking if your unit is still under warranty or if replacement makes more sense.
Gas cookers bring their own set of problems—ignition failures, pilot lights going out, or flames that won’t stay lit. These aren’t always easy to fix without the right tools or gas safety certification. And if your cooker is older than 12 years, it’s probably using more energy than it should. Rising bills, strange smells, or inconsistent heat aren’t just annoyances—they’re red flags. You don’t need to replace it the moment something breaks, but you should know the signs. A cracked glass hob? That’s not repairable. A faulty thermostat? That’s fixable. A worn-out heating element? That’s routine. But if you’re spending more on repairs than a new model costs, it’s time to think differently.
What you’ll find below are real fixes, real costs, and real advice from people who’ve been there. No fluff. No guesswork. Just clear answers on what’s broken, how to tell, and what to do next—whether you’re in South Shields or just looking for reliable local help.