Refer to your owner's manual when you encounter problems. Always turn off the power or disconnect the range and/or oven before working on the appliance.

A common complaint with an oven is that the set temperature doesn't match the temperature inside the oven. First, make sure no one is allowing the heat to escape by repeatedly opening the oven door. If not, the problem may be caused by an improperly calibrated or defective thermostat.

If you suspect this, buy a box of simple white cake mix and bake the cake, following the directions exactly. If the cake is too dry or, conversely, undercooked, you may have to call a technician to recalibrate or replace the thermostat. Then again, a less-expensive alternative is to buy an oven thermometer that will allow you to monitor the temperature through the oven window.

If the oven temperature drops or the oven "sweats," the oven may have a faulty door gasket. Gaskets can be replaced easily; be sure to get an exact replacement from an appliance parts dealer.

On a gas range, if the burners don't light, be sure the pilot light is lit (Note: If your appliance has electronic ignition, it doesn't have a pilot light).

If an electric oven or range seems to be receiving power (the light works, for example) but doesn't get hot, it may have an independent circuit breaker that has tripped or a fuse that has blown. This device is usually located under the cooktop or at the back of the oven. (Refer to your owner's manual.)