Will an Oven Work if Dented in the Back?

Electrical Damage

• Ovens have a significant amount of electrical components and wiring -- some inside the back oven panel. Dents can disrupt some of this wiring. If you notice that the oven turns off on its own, doesn’t reach the right temperature or the timer doesn’t work, the dent may be causing the problem.

Broken Heating Elements

• Most conventional ovens have heating elements on the top and bottom of the oven, but some have an element at the back of the oven. Dents can break through the heating element and chip, snap or nick it. Though damage is more likely to occur if the element is at the back of the oven, severe dents can also damage top and bottom heating elements.

Disrupted Racks

• If the oven dent is severe, it will prevent you from being able to slide the oven racks all the way into the oven. Depending on where the dent is located in the back wall, this can affect all or some of the oven racks, which may prevent you from using the oven.

Broken Convection Oven Fans

• Convection ovens have a fan that is generally located on the back of the oven. If the back of the oven is dented, it is likely that the fan has been damaged to the point that it will either not operate or will not operate efficiently. If this is the case, replace the oven back as well as the fan.