As a restaurant owner or kitchen manager, you know that when your commercial oven stops working, it can feel like a culinary nightmare. When your oven malfunctions, it can feel like the heart of the kitchen has come to a halt. The potential financial consequences, including wasted ingredients and lost revenue, can also add to the stress.

Whether it happens as you're getting your restaurant ready for service or right in the middle of the lunch rush, it’s essential to know precisely how to address the situation. At ATECH, a commercial kitchen equipment service company in Tennessee, we specialize in helping restaurants fix equipment issues quickly. As part of our series on preventing downtime, we wanted to offer some practical insights into what to do if your commercial oven stops working. 

When Your Commercial Oven Fails: Five Immediate Steps to Take

Here are five steps to take if your commercial oven stops working suddenly: 

1. Stay calm and assess the situation.

The first and most crucial step when facing an oven shutdown is to remain calm and assess the situation. Panic can lead to rushed decisions, which may make the problem worse. 

Determining exactly what's wrong with your oven might be challenging, but identifying signals is a helpful first step. Is it not turning on at all? Is it not heating up properly? Is it making strange noises? Once you better understand the problem, you can start to troubleshoot it.

2. Check key components for common issues.

The simplest things to check first are the power supply and pilot light. If the oven is not getting power, check the fuse box or breaker panel to see if a fuse has blown or a breaker has tripped. If the pilot light will not stay lit, there may be a problem with the thermocouple or safety valve.

Other common problems include damaged heating elements. The heating elements may be burned out if the oven is not heating up properly. You can check the heating elements by visually inspecting them. If they are red hot, they are working correctly. If they are black or discolored, they may need to be replaced.

3. Contact a certified local commercial kitchen equipment service company.

When your commercial oven fails, time is of the essence. That’s why it is crucial to have a relationship with a local service provider with the knowledge and experience to fix the issue.

At ATECH, our team offers same-day service for our planned maintenance customers to support any unexpected emergencies. When you call, be ready to share information your service technicians need to know about your oven, such as the make and model, any error codes displayed, and a description of the issue. This information will help our technicians arrive prepared to promptly diagnose and address the problem.

4. Maintain open communication with your staff and consider temporary solutions. 

While awaiting the arrival of our technicians, maintain open and transparent communication with your kitchen staff. Let them know about the oven issue and discuss alternative cooking methods or adjustments to the menu. Collaborating as a team will help minimize disruptions and ensure a smoother transition during the downtime.

You may also need to adapt your menu until the technician arrives. Prioritize dishes that can be prepared using alternative equipment like stovetops, grills, or cold preparation. Flexibility in your menu planning will allow you to continue serving customers while maintaining the quality of your food.

5. Invest in regular maintenance and keep spare parts on hand. 

Once our ATECH technicians have resolved the issue with your commercial oven, consider starting a planned maintenance plan. This includes scheduling routine inspections and servicing to delay future breakdowns and keep your kitchen equipment operating smoothly.

You may also want to keep a spare parts kit that you can use to make minor repairs quickly without waiting for a technician to arrive. We recommend keeping a commercial oven ignitior and thermostat on hand in case of a broken oven. 

If you routinely use the repair services of a company like ATECH, it is not uncommon to ask the company to stock a “GO BOX” for your critical equipment like ovens. Just ask!

Commercial Oven Troubles? ATECH is Just a Call Away!

It can be tough to deal with when your commercial oven breaks down. But with the right plan, you can keep your restaurant running smoothly. Following these tips, you can minimize the disruption to your business if your commercial oven breaks down.

Call our team if you run a restaurant or commercial kitchen in Tennessee and experience oven issues. We have offices strategically located across the state with certified technicians who can address your equipment problems. We can also help you prevent future issues with a customizable planned maintenance program. 

When it comes to repairing and maintaining your commercial kitchen equipment, our technicians go above and beyond to ensure you can keep your kitchen running smoothly.