Electric oven DIY repair

[diyer1453]

I have a Zanussi electric oven with a fan. The lid covering the fan at the back came off due to rust damaging the screw holders. I went ahead and made a few holes in the back to hold the lid in place with wires. These holes will definitely introduce risk of fire with heat getting out of the oven and outside of oven having insulation material.

My question: can I cover/fill these holes with heat-resistant glue to avoid heat going out? Will that be safe enough or do I need to replace the oven now?

[electrofix]

if the holes are small it wont be a problem

the insulation cant catch fire

Dave

[diyer1453]

electrofix wrote: if the holes are small it wont be a problem

the insulation cant catch fire

Dave

Thank you for the reply!

When you say if the holes are small, are you saying these because bigger holes would mean more heat lost and therefore making the oven very inefficient? Or do you mean there would be higher risk?

Thanks for the info that insulation cannot catch fire. I thought you’d be saying this by knowing but as it’s quite important I went ahead and took a small piece from the insulation and tried to burn it with a lighter! Yup, like you say, it doesn’t catch fire even when I hold fire directly to it for seconds. So obviously manufacturers use the right materials lol

To also help with efficiency I will still go ahead and close the holes with heat-resistant glue (gasket maker).

Thank you very much for your helpful reply

[electrofix]

bear in mind that the temp by the element is going to be far hotter than the oven in general

you will be dealing with more than the ovens hottest temp of about 200 degrees possibly double

Dave

[diyer1453]

electrofix wrote: bear in mind that the temp by the element is going to be far hotter than the oven in general

you will be dealing with more than the ovens hottest temp of about 200 degrees possibly double

Dave

Sorry just so I’m clear, do you mean by trying to close holes with glue, I shouldn’t only be thinking about highest oven temp but more? E.g. if oven max temp says 250 degrees, I should use glue that is resistant up to, say, 450-500 degrees? Because the holes are at the back side, close to the element.

Sorry I’m just trying to be very clear so I dont mess something up.

[electrofix]

the holes close to the element will be hotter and the fan is blowing already hot air across an element thats glowing red. Steel starts glowing red at 460 degrees

Dave

[diyer1453]

electrofix wrote:the holes close to the element will be hotter and the fan is blowing already hot air across an element thats glowing red. Steel starts glowing red at 460 degrees

Dave

Ermm.. OK thanks. I know you’re being helpful but I was really trying to be clear on what I’m doing is OK and safe. You’re giving me information in bits with no cohesion.

Your replies have still been helpful so thank you.

[electrofix]

basically if the holes are 5mm or so, and the insulation is behind them, just ignor them

there is no sealant avaiable that will take the heat for long periods and you also have to think of any chemicals given off might taint your food

if holes are really big you into metal plates and self tapping screws

Dave

[diyer1453]

electrofix wrote:basically if the holes are 5mm or so, and the insulation is behind them, just ignor them

there is no sealant avaiable that will take the heat for long periods and you also have to think of any chemicals given off might taint your food

if holes are really big you into metal plates and self tapping screws
Dave

Now that is much more understandable for me 🙂 I may have a thick head sorry.

Thank you!

[RachelInouye]

Ok, thanks

[Author]

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