That moment when you open the oven and nothing's even warm? Meanwhile, the kids are driving you crazy asking about dinner. You've spent the grocery money already. And now this.
Yeah. We've all been there.
Here's the thing about being a single mum. When the oven breaks, we can't just wave it off and order Uber Eats for a week. We're watching every dollar. We've got meal plans. We're trying to get veggies into our kids without them staging a revolt. A dead oven doesn't just mess up dinner. It messes up everything.
So let's sort this out together. No stress. No confusing technical stuff. Just real talk about what to do when your oven decides to quit on you and you need oven repair.
Before You Freak Out, Check These Things
Before you call a repairer or cry in the pantry, check the simple stuff — your “broken” oven might just need a quick fix.
First, is it actually plugged in? Sounds silly, but it happens all the time — a kid bumped it, you moved it to clean, the dog’s tail hit the cord. Make sure the plug’s in and the switch is on.
Check the switchboard too — a tripped circuit breaker could be the culprit.
Got gas? Make sure it’s flowing. If your cooktop’s out too, it’s a gas supply issue, not the oven.
And don’t forget oven settings — modern ones have heaps. My kid once put ours in “Sabbath mode,” and I nearly lost it trying to figure out why nothing worked.
Right, So It's Actually Broken
Alright, let’s sort this out.
If your oven won’t heat at all, the element’s probably gone — they just wear out over time. Luckily, it’s one of the easier and cheaper fixes.
If your cooking’s all over the place — burnt on top, raw in the middle, or taking forever — the thermostat’s likely shot. That’s the bit that tells your oven when to stop heating. When it’s buggered, your oven just does its own thing.
Check the door too. A cracked or worn rubber seal lets heat escape, so you’re basically cooking with the door open — wastes power and ruins your food.
And if you’ve got a fan-forced oven but no whirring sound? The fan’s probably carked it. Things will cook unevenly and take ages, but it’s fixable.
Repair It or Bin It?
When you’re broke, it’s a tough call. If repairs cost more than half the price of a new oven, it’s probably not worth it.
Under five years old? Fix it — it’s still got life left.
Five to ten years? Get a quote and compare prices.
Over ten years? Parts are harder to find, and old ovens chew through power, so a new one might save you in the long run.
But if a new oven’s not in the budget right now, that’s okay. Fix what you’ve got — a working oven’s a win, no shame in that.
Finding Someone Who Won't Rip You Off
This bit makes me nervous. You don't want to get taken advantage of just because you don't know much about ovens.
Try to get two quotes if you can. Prices are all over the place. Some charge call-out fees, some don't. Many oven repair services offer same-day service across the metros in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra. Other mums say the good ones are decent and won't try to rip you off.
Make sure whoever you call is actually licensed and insured. This stuff matters. You want someone who'll stand behind their work. Good tradespeople, whether they're fixing ovens, plumbing, or heating system repairs, should have proper credentials.
Stalk them online first. Google reviews. Facebook groups. Other mums in your area. You'll get the real story pretty quick.
And when they give you a quote, ask questions. What's actually wrong? What are they replacing? How long will it keep working after you fix it? Ask whatever you need to. It's your hard-earned cash.
Surviving Without an Oven
While you’re waiting for an oven repair (or saving up), you’ve still got to feed everyone — here’s what’s kept me going. Your stovetop becomes your new best mate: one-pot dinners, stir-fries, pasta — you can cook more than you think. A good frying pan with a lid helps heaps.
Slow cookers are actual magic. Toss everything in before school drop-off and come home to dinner done. For about thirty bucks from Kmart, you can make roasts, curries, bolognese — anything you’d usually oven-cook.
Air fryers aren’t just hype, either. They’re mini ovens that nail schnitzels, fish fingers and oven chips — not your Sunday roast, but close.
And don’t forget the BBQ. Even a cheap portable one from Bunnings expands what you can cook — not just snags, but full meals. There’s always a way to keep everyone fed without the oven.
Stop It from Happening Again
Once you've got your oven back and running after appliance repair, look after the thing.
Give it a clean regularly. I know. I hate cleaning it too. But all that burnt on crud makes the elements work harder. They die faster.
Stop slamming the door. Tell the kids, too: gentle closes. It makes a difference in how long the seals and hinges last.
Baking paper and trays help heaps. They stop the bottom from getting wrecked by spills and burnt messes. Less scrubbing. Less damage.
Run your hand around the door seal every couple of months. Check for cracks. Catching it early saves money.
You've Got This
A broken oven when you're juggling everything else is rough. But it's just one more thing. You've dealt with worse.
Get some quotes. Make a decision that works for your budget. Sort it out.
Your kids will eat two-minute noodles for a week if they have to. They'll live. You'll get back to proper cooking soon enough.
And if you need to grab Maccas or a $5 pizza while you sort this out? Do it. No mum guilt allowed. Sometimes we just survive however we can.
That's not failing. That's getting through it. And you're bloody good at that.
