Washing Machine, Dishwasher, Cooker, Oven, Water Dispenser, Fridge, Tumble Dryer Installation, Repair and Maintenance Tips & Tricks Articles

is your cooker surface / fascia getting too hot ?

Surface Temperature Test

All appliances are manufactured and tested to satisfy the surface temperature requirements contained in BSEN 60335-1.2002.

Components which are designed to be touched to operate the cooker, such as controls and handles have lower limits than those which may be accidentally touched for example door panels and sides. Limits also vary depending upon the component material (see Standard temperature limits)

Test Equipment:

• Hand held digital thermometer and probe

• Test record sheet

Method:

1. Switch oven on and set to Gas mark 5 or 200°C for electric ovens for a period of 1 hour*

2. After 1 hour record the room temperature (ambient)

3. Place probe on components/panels which require testing and record all temperature results

* Note – If reported high temperature concerns are with the control panel or control knobs then additionally 4 pans of water (½ full) should be simmered during the 1 hour heat up period, also operate the grill on maximum for the last 15 minutes of the 1 hour test, ensuring that the grill pan is correctly positioned on the runners and pushed fully into the grill chamber to the stop position.

Readings:

E.N 30 acceptable limits are the temperature rise of components above the room ambient.

To determine the rise deduct the room temperature from the actual temperature measured and this is the rise.

Standard temperature rise limits: For example:

Ambient room temp = 20°C

Actual component temp = 50°C

Rise temp = 30°C

Maximum allowable temperature rise limits for components which require touching to operate the cooker e.g. control knobs and handles

Metal…………………………..= 35°C

Glass…………………………. = 45°C

Plastic………………………… = 60°C

Maximum allowable temperature rise limits for components which DO NOT require touching to operate the cooker e.g. *Door panels, control panel facia

Metal…………………………..= 60°C (*45°C for door panels)

Enamel/Painted………………= 65°C (*45°C for door panels)

Glass…………………………. = 80°C

Plastic…………………………= 100°C

Note: There is no maximum temperature limit on working surfaces such as Hotplate tops or areas not accessible to a 75mm (3”) ball, such as gaps between doors and the cooker frame.

Kitchen Base & Wall Units Rise Temperature Rise Test

Introduction:

Certain types of vinyl or laminate kitchen furniture are particularly prone to heat damage, shrink back and discolouration. We cannot accept responsibility for the damage caused by normal use of the cooker to any material that de-laminates or discolours at temperatures less than 65°C above the room temperature.

Method for testing adjacent kitchen furniture is detailed below:-

Test Equipment:

• Hand held digital thermometer and probe

• Test record sheet

Method:

4. Switch oven to maximum setting for a period of 1 hour

5. After 1 hour record the room temperature (ambient)

6. Place probe on affected area of kitchen unit and record temperature results

Readings:

E.N 30 acceptable limits are the temperature rise of the adjacent kitchen furniture above the room ambient .To determine rise deduct the room temperature from the actual temperature measured.

For example:-

Ambient room temp = 20°C

Actual temp of kitchen furniture = 50°C

Rise temp = 30°C