If the thermostat indicator light on your Rangemaster cooker isn't working, or if your oven is burning food, then it is likely that the thermostat has failed. When this happens, you'll need to replace the thermostat and switch to get your cooker back in working order. That's why we're here to show you how to replace the thermostat and switch on a Rangemaster cooker, so you can cook your food properly and safely once more!
If your thermostat and switch need replacing but you own a different brand of cooker, however, don't worry. Our article on how to replace an oven thermostat in an electric cooker is here to help.
What you will need
How to replace the thermostat and switch on a Rangemaster cooker
Let's get started with the replacement! Simply watch the video or follow our step-by-step guide below to learn how to replace the thermostat and switch on a Rangemaster cooker.
Safety first!
Remember, always make sure your appliance has been switched off and is disconnected from the mains before carrying out any work, repairs or faulty part replacements.
Step 1: Remove the vent
To access the thermostat and switch, you'll first need to remove the top vent at the back of the appliance. Using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the five screws that hold the vent in place.
Before going any further, it's important to note you will need to remove quite a few screws from your cooker throughout this replacement. We recommend using an item like an ice tray to keep your screws stored and separated, so you can keep them safe and organised. This will especially come in handy when it comes to reassembling the appliance later.
Step 2: Remove the top panels
Next, lift away and place aside the rectangular hotplate from the top of the cooker. This will be on the left-hand side when looking at the cooker from the rear.
With the rectangular hotplate removed, unscrew the two screws found beneath it. These screws will be on the right-hand side of the opening when facing the cooker from the rear.
With the screws removed, you can move that half of the cooker top to one side slightly.
You will then need to remove the top panel on the right side of the cooker when facing it from the rear (the half with the circular hobs). To do this, remove the two screws at the back that hold the panel in place.
You can then lift the top panel up and shift it slightly to one side.
Step 3: Remove the control panel
Next, you will need to remove the front control panel. Start by removing all of the control knobs from the front of the panel. You will be able to simply pull these off by hand and place them aside.
Then remove the three screws that hold the panel in place at the top, along with the three screws that hold it in place at the bottom.
For the last couple of screws at the bottom, you will need to use your stubby screwdriver. This is because the grill door blocks access for a longer screwdriver to reach the screws.
Once you have removed all of the screws, you can pull the control panel away. However, it will still be connected to the cooker by all of its wires and electrical connections from the inside.
Step 4: Photograph the electrical connections
You will now be able to see the thermostat and switch, as pictured below. Before removing them, take a photo of their electrical connections. This is important, as the photo will provide guidance for where you need to reconnect the electrical connections when it comes to fitting the new thermostat and switch shortly.
Step 5: Replacing the thermostat and switch
To start removing the thermostat and switch, first unscrew the two screws that keep them held in place.
Then pull the old thermostat and switch out of their slot. Using your photo as guidance, disconnect the electrical connections from the old thermostat and switch and fit them onto the replacements in the same positions.
Once you have the new thermostat and switch hooked up to the connections and slotted in place, secure them by returning the two screws you removed a moment ago.
Step 6: Fit the new capillary
With the thermostat and switch securely in position, you need to also fit the new capillary. This is connected to the thermostat by a curled wire and it serves to sense the temperature inside the oven.
As you can see in the picture below, the old capillary is still in place. It feeds through a hole in the roof of the cooker and is held in place by two clips inside.
To replace the capillary, first place the control panel back into position on the cooker to move it out of the way. Make sure you don't trap any wires as you do this.
You can then remove the shelf from inside the oven...
And also the roof liner inside the oven, which will simply slide out.
Then, if you look inside the oven, you will be able to see the two clips holding the capillary in place at the back by two screws. To remove the clips, unscrew the two screws.
You can then lift the old capillary off the oven's rear interior wall and remove the two clips connected to it.
Then finish removing the old capillary by feeding it up through the hole in the oven roof and out of the oven.
To fit the new capillary, first slide it into the hole at the top of the oven.
With the new capillary inside the oven, reattach the two clips that you removed from the old capillary.
Then secure the new capillary by screwing its clips into place at the back of the oven with the two screws you removed earlier.
Once the new capillary is fully secure, you can return the roof liner and shelf back inside the oven.
Step 7: Refit the control panel and knobs
You can now secure the control panel into place by returning the screws you removed earlier. These are the three that go into the top of the panel and the three that go into the bottom.
Once the control panel is screwed back into place, refit the control knobs by slotting them back onto their spindles.
Step 8: Refit the top panels
To refit the left top panel (when looking at the appliance from the rear), first make sure it is properly in position.
Then return the two screws you removed at the beginning of this process to secure the panel into place. These are the screws that go to one side of the opening beneath the rectangular hotplate.
Once the panel is secure, return the rectangular hotplate back into its opening on the panel above the two screws.
You can then refit the other half of the top panel (the half with the hobs). When fitting this panel, make sure the two recesses on the underside of the panel slot onto the two locking screws at the front of the cooker.
You can then screw the panel into place at the rear with the two screws you removed earlier.
Step 9: Refit the vent
Finally, finish by refitting the vent at the back of the cooker and screwing it into place with its five screws.
And there you have it! How to replace the thermostat and switch on a Rangemaster cooker. Your oven should now be safely and properly cooking food again.
Now that you've fixed your oven, it's important to make sure you're also keeping it clean and in good shape. After all, a dirty or grimy oven is not only a health hazard but will also be more susceptible to faults. Our article on how to clean your oven will teach you everything you need to know! You can also find any other spares or accessories you might need for your cooker in the extensive oven spares and accessories collection on our online shop.
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