GE JT5000SF2SS Wall Oven - Proofing mode is *incredibly* slow

[MrPete]

Model Number

JT5000SF2SS

Brand

GE

Age

6-10 years

Even when it was brand new in 2015, our GE convection wall oven has had a proofing mode that's SO slow, we thought for years it did nothing.
Now I watched and tested it carefully using four digital thermometer probes. Here are my observations:
* The oven light is forced on. Could that be the source of warmth?
* The temp slowly rises, stabilizing at 95-97 degrees... After 2 1/2 hours!
* Starting at a room temp of 68, it takes over an hour to hit 80 degrees, a minimal proofing temp.

The oven is a bit slow to heat in other modes, but nothing serious. We can watch the Digital temp rise... Can get to 450 in 20-30 min.

QUESTIONS:
* is there supposed to be an actual heating element for proofing?
* is there a spec for proofing temp and time to reach it?
* what could be wrong (if this is not expected)

Thanks!

 

[Jake]

Hi, another member had a similar question about this feature, but I've never run across this before myself.

Here's that thread:

GE/Monogram ZET2PH2SS, double wall oven no longer proofing

A GE/Monogram ZET2PH2SS, double wall oven came with a new house we bought. It worked well. After about a year, the proofing function for both the top and bottom ovens stopped working. All of the cooking functions still work. After running the proof function for an hour, the oven has heated to...

www.applianceblog.com

 

[MrPete]

Thanks, Jake! Following the link provided there (relating to a small standard-clean range oven... but at least it's electric ) GE says (for that oven):

"When this feature is selected, the broil element is energized with 120 volts for two minutes to slightly warm the oven cavity and is then turned off. At this point, the only heat furnished is from the 40 watt cavity light bulb. This provides a sufficient amount of heat to encourage the rising action in the bread. The temperature holds at about 100 degrees."

That's a LOT more than is said in our own oven manual. It fits my experience with this oven, although I have a hunch they added the two minute initial "broil" more recently.

We have been thinking we'd try an initial heating "pulse" to bring it up to temp, then let the Proof mode take over. Sounds like trying a brief low-broil would be a great start.

(This also highlights the importance of retaining access to various incandescent "heat lamps" which are crucial for various home functoins.)

 

[Jake]

We have been thinking we'd try an initial heating "pulse" to bring it up to temp, then let the Proof mode take over. Sounds like trying a brief low-broil would be a great start.

That sounds like a good plan, let us know how it goes.