Oven Won't Maintain Temp

That should cure the problem. Had several in the shop that had that problem. They sent us new pilots probably because we were a dealer.

Here's the rest of the story.

I called Suburban, and the person I spoke with confirmed that my problem has been seen before with their ovens, but she didn't provide any help in confirming that my oven's serial number was within the range of known bad pilots. Also, she said there was no recall on the ovens, but replacing the pilot may correct the problem.

I got a new pilot online, replaced the old pilot with it, and it seems to have fixed the problem. It was easy to do. Well, as easy as it could be given I was on my knees and reaching into the rear of the oven.

When I tested the fix, I noticed the "el cheapo" door gasket was not seating against the oven face. My wife searched the internet and found an "adjustment procedure" where you roll up two small hand towels or wash cloths and place them next to each hinge. Then you raise the door and gently compress the towels a few times. Worked like a charm! The door now seats perfectly against the face of the
oven.

The issue was with the orifice of the pilot. It would not maintain a flame big enough to heat the thermocouple while the oven burner was on. When the burner cycled off the pilot would also go out.

About as big as what you get from a wooden stick match. If it is a digital
oven it still may have a calibration screw or setting some where.

Cobra21 wrote:
I would be tempted to try a new thermocouple, about 8 dollars. Also is the piolet flame big enough? For the 50 degree diff. some models used to have
a calibration screw under the oven temp. dial. You pull the dial off and
there should be a real small screw close to the stem. I think counter clockwise
is cooler. (If you have one)
Brian

Thanks for the tip about a calibration screw. I'll look for it.

Regarding the pilot flame being big enough, how big is big enough?

I would be tempted to try a new thermocouple, about 8 dollars. Also is the piolet flame big enough? For the 50 degree diff. some models used to have
a calibration screw under the oven temp. dial. You pull the dial off and
there should be a real small screw close to the stem. I think counter clockwise
is cooler. (If you have one)
Brian

katysdad wrote:
Call Suburban, they had some bad pilots back then. when the burner cycled off the pilot would also go out. Give them the model and serial# and they can tell you if it was an affected unit.

I emailed them about 5 days ago with no reply, but will give them a call. Thanks.

doxiemom11 wrote:
When you originally turn on the oven, is your pilot on, or do you have to light it? DH said the thermocouple is supposed to keep your pilot lit.

We only light the pilot when we are going to use the oven, and then turn it off when done cooking. (Wife does not like the smell of burned propane when we leave the pilot on between uses.) The pilot will stay lit as long as we don't actually set the temp for cooking.

Call Suburban, they had some bad pilots back then. when the burner cycled off the pilot would also go out. Give them the model and serial# and they can tell you if it was an affected unit.

When you originally turn on the oven, is your pilot on, or do you have to light it? DH said the thermocouple is supposed to keep your pilot lit.