KODE500ESS20 Kitchenaid Wall Double Oven - Convection Fan Running During Non-Convection Cycles

[StinaK]

Model Number

KODE500ESS20

Brand

KitchenAid

Age

Less than 1 year

We recently purchased a kitchenaid wall double oven (KODE500ESS20) with a convection feature in both the top and bottom oven. During non-convection bake cycles we have observed that the convection fan is often running. I have had poor results as the back side of the oven browns quicker than the front side (and its dried out some quick breads) and the oven vents a lot of hot air heating up our whole kitchen.

Kitchen aid support says that this is how the oven is supposed to operate but it seems that the convection fan running and heat output is much greater than any oven I have previously used and so I am looking for a second opinion.

Thank you so much!

[Note: Date corrected. this oven was purchased brand new in July of this year.]

Added correct model number

 

[Dan O.]

kitchenaid wall double oven (KODE500ESSS)

That model number is incorrect. Did you get it right off the appliance's model and serial number tag? That's the only place the complete information will be found.

You can find tips for locating the model and serial number identification tag on your appliances at the following link:

LINK > Model Number Tag Location Guide

During non-convection bake cycles we have observed that the convection fan is often running.

On some oven designs, that is common during preheat. How yours functions will be listed in the unit's 'tech sheet' but we need a proper model number to look that up.

the oven vents a lot of hot air

All ovens have to vent air (see the following link). That air will be as hot as the oven temp. is. The longer you cook, the more air is vented.

LINK > The Appliance Clinic : Electric Range : Oven Venting


You could check to make sure the doors are closing properly. That's about the only place extra hot air might come from. That could just be due to 'stiff' new door seals which will probably settle with time. I'm not sure where the actual oven vent is located on your model.


Dan O.

 

[StinaK]

Thank you for the reply! After double checking I see typed the end of the number wrong, it should be KODE500ESS20. The convection fan runs frequently during non-convection cycles even after the preheating has been finished. I'm sorry for the trouble.

During baking there is a steady stream of warm air venting out of the bottom, but when the convection fan turns on the air venting out is quite hot (similar to a small electric heater).

 

[Dan O.]

The convection fan runs frequently during non-convection cycles even after the preheating has been finished.

I looked up the 'tech sheet' for that model (linked below) but the one for your oven doesn't show the individual components' operation. I also don't have access to a service manual. I can't say if the convection fan operation is normal.

LINK > Tech Sheet # W11479717

During baking there is a steady stream of warm air venting out of the bottom

Out the bottom of what? Any oven venting should be above the oven, as hot air rises.

when the convection fan turns on the air venting out is quite hot (similar to a small electric heater).

All i can suggest is you insist the appliance be inspected under warranty. Contact KitchenAid and/or the selling dealer if necessary.


Dan O.

 

[StinaK]

As an update, kitchen aid sent someone out and they told me that it is normal for this model to have the fan running during non-convection cycles. At this visit the technician told me I might want to wait an extra 10-15 minutes past when the preheat timer goes off for better results as I have had inconsistent baking results with this oven.

Since the visit I have been using an oven thermometer while baking and have realized that the temperatures are unreliable, and sometimes the oven is not ever reaching the set temperature. For example, on our top oven, sometimes if the preheat is set to 350 it will say it is preheated when it is only at 250 and even after waiting half an hour will never get warmer than 330. But other times, the oven will come up to 350 degrees with no issue and the preheat time will ding accurately. On our lower oven, the preheat seems to be consistently accurate, but once the door has been open to put food in the temperature falls and never comes back up to temp (even after half an hour).

The technician is coming again this week and I am hoping to get some answers.

 

[Dan O.]

Thanks for the followup.

sometimes if the preheat is set to 350 it will say it is preheated when it is only at 250 and even after waiting half an hour will never get warmer than 330.

Newer ovens don't always preheat to the full set temperature but not under by that much. I agree there is definitely a problem with those results. I can't think what would cause it. A sensor failure is usually constant so I think it is unlikely. Maybe a flaky electronic control? They might just replace both just in case.

Keep us posted.

Dan O.

 

[StinaK]

Thank you for response! If anyone is curious, the technician today part of wiring harness was getting pinched by the metal cover of the control board due to how it was placed during production. Some of these wires were those connecting to the temperature sensors which he thought could be why the oven was having trouble with inconsistent temps. He put the wires back into the proper place and they are going to order a new wiring harness in case anything did get permanently damaged. The oven was working well when he tested it today so hopefully this will fix the issues I have been having!

 

[Dan O.]

Some of these wires were those connecting to the temperature sensors which he thought could be why the oven was having trouble with inconsistent temps.

Thar sounds reasonable. Let us know how it goes.

Dan O.

 

[StinaK]

Hello everyone, as an update, we finally had the wiring harness replaced but it did not fix the consistency issues with the oven. Unfortunately, the only whirlpool tech in my town has told me that he is sorry for my oven's poor performance and consistency issues but that there is nothing else he can do.

The preheating issues have actually gotten worse since my last post, with the oven sometimes falling 40 degrees shy of the set temperature even after waiting 15 minutes past the preheat and I've also had it preheat initially up to 40 degrees too hot on other occasions and burned food.

The doors on our new oven visibly warped and bowed outwards upon the first use and I'm wondering if this could be affecting the seal of the doors and causing some of the oven's issues. I also think there could still also be issues with the control board. Kitchen aid support will not replace the doors or the control board.

Any other ideas on what could be wrong with this oven?

Thank you!

 

[Dan O.]

During non-convection bake cycles we have observed that the convection fan is often running.

I found a service manual that might cover your oven model: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RtDVCnABKiM2_b3UsCrkMH7OiK6e9hxe

It states:

The normal BAKE mode also uses the convection fan and element to get heat build up faster in PREHEAT and help maintain temperatures during the cycle. The convection fan can be seen working during the cooking mode and raises questions by consumers. The chart confirms that the convection fan and element do cycle during the normal cycles too. Remember that the fan will cycle OFF whenever the oven door is opened. This chart is available in the Tech Sheet that is provided with every oven Kitchen Aid produces.

The doors on our new oven visibly warped and bowed outwards upon the first use and I'm wondering if this could be affecting the seal of the doors and causing some of the oven's issues.

I've never heard of such a case and don't know what affect it might have. Sorry but I have no other ideas.


Dan O.

 

[StinaK]

The tech also confirmed that the convection fan will run during non-convection cycles and he also hadn't seen doors warped so quickly.

In addition to the temperature issues the cooling fan has developed a super irritating high-pitched whistle that we have to listen to for over an hour as the oven cools down.

This was an expensive purchase for us and I regret going with kitchenaid for our new oven.

I really appreciate your time and help!