Forum Discussion

zmikers's avatar
zmikers
Explorer
May 01, 2014

Magic Chef oven problem

Hello everyone, here is my first question on this forum..... Probably my first of many;)

I just bought a used travel trailer in really nice shape and everything seems to be in working order, except for the oven (Magic Chef). The stove top works brilliantly, but the oven seems to be having issues. The pilot lights and the flame grows as I increase the temperature, just like it should. The problem is that it is not igniting the main burner. I have researched and learnt that it may be a few different issues (probably the thermocouple), but I can't even start investigating because I have no idea how to get the tray off that sits over the pilot and burner.

Can anybody give me any tricks or easy ways to get this tray off, and then any other ideas of what might be stopping the main burner from turning on?

Thanks in advance:)
  • Jframpey's avatar
    Jframpey
    Explorer
    Dec 22, 2014
    With all of that tequila and the flame in the oven I would think you could have a small explosion!
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Dec 22, 2014
    C.R.
    Great tip! Guess who has a small bird waiting patiently and an extra ceramic tile?

    Pavo con Mole para Navidad!

    On the subject of hornos - does an LED remote sensor thermocouple exist? I sure wouldn't mind keeping tabs on oven temperature from an easy chair.

    Mexican turkey: Pour half a liter of cheapest Tequila into the bird. Makes the white meat unbeliebably juicy and sweet. Sweet potatoes with cinnamon, brown sugar and thick cream.

    Now, to get a pry bar to wedge the bird into the oven...
  • Canadian_Rainbi's avatar
    Canadian_Rainbi
    Explorer
    Dec 22, 2014
    And here is a really good tip for improving the ability of an RV gas oven to provide nice even heat, not hot spots over the burner:

    Measure the flat plate (L X W) that covers the burner. Buy borrow or steal a ceramic floor tile that will cover it WITHOUT COVERING THE HOLES AROUND THE EDGE. The tile will absorb the oven heat and to radiate it more evenly.
  • karsudj's avatar
    karsudj
    Explorer
    Dec 22, 2014
    Finally, after owning a 2008 Cardinal for 4 yrs. and reading today in trouble shooting Magic Chef oven not lighting. "PUSH" THE PILOT KNOB IN WHILE TRYING TO LIGHT FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, THEN TURN TO 265* and WHAAA LAAA, main burner lit!
    THANK YOU SO MUCH FORUM!
  • zmikers's avatar
    zmikers
    Explorer
    May 03, 2014
    Dutch_12078 wrote:
    The oven temp is maintained by cycling the main burner on and off. Once the oven reaches the set temp, the burner will shut off. When the temp drops a few degrees, the burner will fire up again.


    Ah, great! thanks for the info. So it looks like everything is in order. Thank you all for the advice and tips. What a great start to the forum, 1 for 1 so far, LOL!:)
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    May 03, 2014
    The oven temp is maintained by cycling the main burner on and off. Once the oven reaches the set temp, the burner will shut off. When the temp drops a few degrees, the burner will fire up again.
  • zmikers's avatar
    zmikers
    Explorer
    May 03, 2014
    Well, good news. Once I got the plate off, it was much easier to see what was going on. Just like the sink, I really don't think this oven has ever been used, it is spotless. Anyways, I took the thermocouple and moved it slightly forward through the hole it rests in and that did the trick. Oven works spot on. I'm very happy it wasn't an expensive fix, but happier that I was able to do it myself. I love being able to fix things on my own.

    One more question, now that the main burner actually lights. As I adjust the temperature for the oven, the flame does not seem to change much. Is it a gradual change? Or is it so subtle that I wouldn't be able to notice the difference? Or is there something wrong with my temperature gauge?

    Thanks again in advance!
  • zmikers's avatar
    zmikers
    Explorer
    May 02, 2014
    It is a 1992 unit. I actually waited more than 15 minutes last night and nothing happened. The pilot light does get bigger. I will have to have a look tomorrow evening.

    Thanks for the input everyone. I'll let you know what happens.
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    May 01, 2014
    How long are you waiting for the main burner to fire up? It can take a full minute or so for the thermocouple to trigger the gas valve. There should be no gas smell during the delay.
  • aruba5er's avatar
    aruba5er
    Explorer
    May 01, 2014
    When you light the pilot it is very small. The thermocouple doesn't come into play until it warms up and then the pilot light gets bigger ( about twice the size it was when you first lit it) So if the second stage as it were doesn't happen the main will not come on. Could very well be thermocouple. Please be careful and don"t blow yourself up. Just try it and if it doesn't go then shut it off and wait 10 minutes or so to clear it out and try it again.

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,211 PostsLatest Activity: Mar 11, 2025