oven thermostat probe loose December 25, 2007, 08:20:45 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87472Help! The thermostat probe in my oven (1996 Atwood Wedgewood) is hanging loose. I see a little clip on the wire to it, but I don't see an obvious place inside the oven it would clip to, unless it's the vent. I never really looked at it before it came loose, so I have no idea where the tip is supposed to be. Naturally, the exploded drawing in the manual doesn't even show the part! Does anybody know where it should be? And while we are on the subject of stoves... Is there any way I can adjust (reduce) the flame level on one of the burners so the lowest setting gives me a true simmer? Rice still boils over on the lowest setting. I thought I could solve it with a simmer pad like my grandmother had, but I haven't been able to find any in any of the stores I've been in nor have my makeshift attempts worked.Mary Lou KnackGreen Thumb (1996 23.5' TK)http://skip2mlou.us[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: oven thermostat probe loose Reply #1 – December 25, 2007, 08:39:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87473Mary Lou Keep an eye out at flea markets and garage sales for an old fashioned heat diffuser, or do a search for heat diffuser on Amazon. They have one just like mine for $2.95.They'll soak you for shipping, but it's easy. Here's a link http://www.amazon.com/Maxi-Aids-Flame-Tamer-Simmer-Ring/dp/B00012K5P2/ ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1198636565&sr=8-2Kate http://cholulared.blogspot.com &http://www.cholulared.comWant to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096 As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: oven thermostat probe loose Reply #2 – December 25, 2007, 09:18:54 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87474"Naturally, the exploded drawing in the manual doesn't even show the part! Does anybody know where it should be?"You;re right--I found Atwood's diagram online (http://www.eco-rv.com/scripts/pdfretail/get.php?id=336>) and it doesn't show the probe at all. How stupid of them!Well, since that probe is on a metal capillary tube that isn't especially flexible, you should be able to make a good guess at where it was just by swinging it gently up and down until you see a likely place for the probe to clip onto. If you have to stretch or bend the tube, it's probably not the right spot. I suspect it will work OK, though, even if it's not in the exact spot where it's supposed to be. I assume you have an oven thermometer, and you can double-check with that. I never trust an oven's temperature knob--they can be pretty far off. (Although I must say my Magic Chef is spot on--I baked two loaves of cranberry pecan bread this afternoon, and setting the knob to 350 degrees got me exactly 350.)Kate's already given you a source for the Flame Tamer; I'll mention that Camping World carries them as well, if you happen to be near one of their stores.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: oven thermostat probe loose Reply #3 – December 26, 2007, 12:34:53 am Yahoo Message Number: 87482We are looking for some sort of heat difuser for the oven--with the burner in the middle and close to the shelf, it tends to burn the middle while not baking the 2 sides completely--perhaps something sort of like a pizza stone. Any suggestions?"Andy Baird" wrote: I baked two loaves of cranberry pecan bread this Quoteafternoon, and setting the knob to 350 degrees got me exactly 350.) Carl--23 1/2 ft TK--"The Red Baron" with a bobble headed moose named Manfred
Re: oven thermostat probe loose Reply #4 – December 26, 2007, 06:31:55 am Yahoo Message Number: 87485Carl, Previous posts have recommended the Airbake cookie sheet for this purpose: http://www.epinions.com/content_96680644228Search on the work airbake on the LD web site http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/lifewithalazydazerv/ , and you will get lots of posted messages on the subject. We had to buy a package of 3 assorted sizes to get one to fit the LD oven, but the others are useful in the house.Barry 2001 Red RB, TX Where are we? http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=122
Was oven thermostat now eat Diffuser Reply #5 – December 26, 2007, 08:37:50 am Yahoo Message Number: 87488We are looking for some sort of heat difuser for the oven--with the burner in the middle and close to the shelf, it tends to burn the middle while not baking the 2 sides completely--perhaps something sort of like a pizza stone. Any suggestions?I use an airbake cookie sheet set right on the rack. Since I use mainly silicone bakeware, I use the sheet to move things in and out of the oven. but use the cookie sheet every time I use the oven, no matter what. My cake and turkey roll both came out perfect yesterday. With something that's cooking for a while, like the turkey roll, even at a lower heat, it tended to scorch since the heating element is so close to the rack. The cookie sheet works great.On another note, I have started using Ove Gloves, a kevlkar based knit glove. I bought a pair on sale and tehy are so much easier than oven mits, I have full dexterity. They will eventually get hot but the work really great, I recommend them highly. They're available all over the place and if you check sales, I got a pair for $15.00 (they usually sell for $15.00 apiece). I think they're well worth it.Kate http://cholulared.blogspot.com &http://www.cholulared.comWant to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Oven heat diffusers Reply #6 – December 26, 2007, 10:03:09 am Yahoo Message Number: 87491"We are looking for some sort of heat difuser for the oven--with the burner in the middle and close to the shelf, it tends to burn the middle while not baking the 2 sides completely--perhaps something sort of like a pizza stone. Any suggestions?" Carl, we use a gaggle of 5" or so ceramic tiles which are placed on the permanent rack (below the one that pulls out). They work well to diffuse the heat. Naturally, they are removed, banded and stored for travel. BTW, it appears the ranges with larger ovens (like Andy has)are on sale at Camping World.Chris Horst
Re: Was oven thermostat now eat Diffuser Reply #7 – December 26, 2007, 10:08:39 am Yahoo Message Number: 87492Quote We are looking for some sort of heat difuser for the oven--with the burner in the middle and close to the shelf, Kate:I use a 14x14 ceramic floor tile. Fits perfectly and is cheap
Re: Oven heat diffuser Reply #8 – December 26, 2007, 11:42:19 am Yahoo Message Number: 87494A 14" x 14" ceramic tile will work, but I recommend an AirBake cookie sheet because:* It's lighter than a tile * It's unbreakable * It can't bash your oven thermostat bulb if you forget to remove it, so * It doesn't have to be removed for travel... ... and finally, if you use silicone rubber bakeware (which I highly recommend--see below), you're going to need a cookie sheet anyway, because the flexible bakeware requires a solid support to get it into and out of the oven. An AirBake cookie sheet is ideal for the purpose. You want the 12" x 14" size, and as Barry mentioned, you may have to buy a three-size assortment to get it... but it's worth it. Silicone rubber bakeware, if you haven't tried it, cooks very evenly, is easy to clean, lightweight, unbreakable, doesn't rattle, and can be crammed into any convenient space. It has excellent nonstick properties, and its flexibility makes it easy to remove loaves, muffins or whatever. In short, it's the ideal bakeware for an RVer. :-)Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: oven thermostat probe loose Reply #9 – December 26, 2007, 01:48:48 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87496I thought I could solve it with a simmer pad like my grandmother had, but I haven't been able to find any in any of the stores I've been in nor have my makeshift attempts worked. Go to the Vermont Country Store -- www.vermontcountrystore.com -- and enter "heat diffuser" in the Search box. They have two different kinds. We used to have a heat diffuser that was cast iron. I'll continue looking for one on the 'net, and if I find it, I'll post the URL here.Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Re: oven thermostat probe loose Reply #10 – December 26, 2007, 01:52:06 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87497Here's a link to Amazon.com's heat diffusers. They have several kinds, including a few cast iron ones:http://tinyurl.com/2lmv6bLinda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Re: oven thermostat probe loose Reply #11 – December 26, 2007, 05:10:16 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87499"Mary Lou Knack" wrote: "I thought I could solve it with a simmer pad like my grandmother had, but I haven't been able to find any in any of the stores.." --- Those old stove-top simmer pads used asbestos as the "insulator", which is why you can't find them now! ;-)I've been fairly successful getting the flame turned low enough to maintain a simmer, but it does take a bit of manipulating. I suggest getting one of the cheaper "heat diffusers" from Linda's website suggestions (and, for obvious reasons, I think that one with a *handle* would be a better choice!) and seeing how it works for you.On the oven thermostat probe...the probe in the Atwood/Wedgewood oven in my 2003 fits into a clip that "hangs" from a small hole (about 3/8" diameter) in the back of the oven wall. The clip stays in the hole because the top/back of the clip has an attached small metal piece that "snaps" into the hole; it's essentially "spring- loaded" for want of a better term. I don't know if this is how your oven is set up, but I don't think that the basic design of the stove/oven has changed a whole lot in quite a few years.Joan
Re: oven thermostat probe loose Reply #12 – December 26, 2007, 05:57:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87500Quote "Mary Lou Knack" wrote: "I thought I could solve it with a simmer pad like my grandmother had, but I haven't been able to find any in any of the stores.." --- Those old stove-top simmer pads used asbestos as the "insulator", which is why you can't find them now! ;-) Joan is correct (of course) about those old simmer pads being made out of asbestos. I couldn't find any when I began my search a couple of years ago and that's what I learned. Fortunately, my mother (who never throws anything away, bless her heart) had one stashed somewhere and gave it to me. It is, as we speak, under my pot of chili simmering gently on the stove. ;-)I'll bet you could eventually find one at a garage sale. Good luck. (Many years ago while camping, I used my large cast-iron skillet under my soup pot as a diffuser. It worked quite well.)Jeanne
Re: oven thermostat probe loose Reply #13 – December 26, 2007, 06:42:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87501Asbestos is obviously not desirable, and cast iron is less than ideal due to weight. The type I have is made from two discs of perforated sheet metal, joined at the edges and with about a quarter-inch air gap between them, with a folding metal handle. Amazon sells a similar unit with a non-folding wooden handle for $2.95:http://tinyurl.com/2k7lbw> That's the type I recommend. It's very lightweight, and does the job nicely. I also use it for toasting tortillas occasionally.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Oven heat diffuser Reply #14 – December 26, 2007, 09:43:00 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87507QuoteA 14" x 14" ceramic tile will work, but I recommend an AirBake cookie sheet because: Andy:All good points but the tile fits under the oven rack on top of the floor of the oven (doesn't take up any usable room) so you have the rack between the tile and the thermo bulb. I just leave mine in all the time and no problems.
Re: oven thermostat probe loose Reply #15 – December 26, 2007, 09:50:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87508Wow, Linda. Thanks for the search help. I see I was hampered by terminology - I never thought to call them "heat diffusers".Mary Lou KnackGreen Thumb (1996 23.5' TK)http://skip2mlou.us
Re: oven thermostat probe loose Reply #16 – December 26, 2007, 09:50:47 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87509Thanks, Joan I didn't see a hole for the clip in the oven when I looked, but I'll take a closer look tomorrow to see if I can see anything. I just bent the wire around so it's near the top of the oven and it worked good enough for the Christmas ham today (potluck one day delayed due to high winds yesterday).Mary Lou KnackGreen Thumb (1996 23.5' TK)http://skip2mlou.us
Re: oven thermostat probe loose Reply #17 – December 26, 2007, 09:53:16 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87510Hmm, you gave me an idea, Jeanne. I have a cast iron tortilla skillet. Maybe that would work well as a heat diffuser. I'll have to give it a try sometime soon.Mary Lou KnackGreen Thumb (1996 23.5' TK)http://skip2mlou.us
Re: oven thermostat probe loose Reply #18 – January 01, 2008, 06:11:28 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87798Mary LouI recently found a nice heat diffuser that is smaller than the ones with handles and fits nicely into the plastic sleeve I store my Fagor cookset lids
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