Why Does My KitchenAid Oven Get Hot On The Outside?

The interior of an oven can reach temperatures of hundreds of degrees. But have you noticed that the front and sides of your oven will also emit heat? If you are using a KitchenAid oven and are wondering why it's getting hot on the outside, we can answer that question for you. We researched this appliance from multiple professional sources, so you'll know for sure why it does that.

A KitchenAid oven will be warm to the touch while the oven is in use. The heat generated by the heating elements will rise, making the exterior surfaces become hotter. Generally, these surfaces will not be hot enough to make someone suffer any burns, however.

Now that we know why a KitchenAid oven is getting hot on the outside, we'll take a look at some basic safety tips for preventing burns from this appliance. You might also be wondering if it's safe to put an oven inside a wooden cabinet, or how hot the top of an oven should get. For the answers to these questions and more, read on and see what our research has uncovered.

Hot to the touch; safety tips to keep you from accidentally getting burned by your oven

Ranges and ovens are responsible for a good percentage of kitchen injuries. The intense heat these appliances emit increases the risk of severe skin burns. The likelihood of this happening dramatically increases if you are careless when operating them.

The next time you use your oven, keep the following helpful safety tips in mind.

Use oven mitts when removing items from the oven

You might be tempted to use an old dishtowel or rag the next time you need to remove a hot dish from the oven. But these do not have the grip or insulation that will allow you to avoid potential burns.

Keep a set of oven mitts handy near your oven. A good set of mitts will not only keep your hands and wrists safe from burns but will also give you the grip you need to safely retrieve a hot dish or pan from the oven.

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Adjust the racks before you begin to preheat this appliance

The racks inside your oven are metal and great conductors of heat. These stay extremely hot even after the oven has been shut off. If you're not careful, it can be easy to burn your hands or arms on them.

It's recommended to adjust the racks to whatever levels you desire them to be at before the interior of the oven gets hot. By doing so before the oven is switched on, you might be saving yourself from potential burns.

Don't readjust the racks until the oven has cooled off. If you need to make adjustments while the racks are still hot, use an oven mitt.

Open the oven door and allow the inside to cool before removing any items

The inside of an oven can get hundreds of degrees while baking a dish. A lot of this heat will escape when the oven is turned off and the door opened. But it will still be dangerously hot on the inside.

Open the oven door when your dish is finished and let the heat escape for several minutes. This will cool the pan down a bit, as well as the oven racks. While the items inside the oven will still be too hot to touch with a bare hand, they will have cooled some and be safer to remove with an oven mitt.

How hot should the top of an oven get?

As we mentioned earlier in this post, the exterior surfaces of an oven will get hot while the oven is in use. Though these surfaces are never hot enough to severely burn the skin upon contact, they are certainly hot enough to melt certain semi-solids (like butter) if they are left on the top of the appliance.

Electric range burners on the top of your oven can reach temperatures of 500 degrees F. The temperature will depend on the range setting that you select. But even in the lowest setting, severe burns will result if you touch one of them.

It's important to give these burners ample time to cool off after they aren't in use. Even though they might look cool, you might be surprised to know just how much heat these burners can retain, even after they've been shut off.

Can I put my KitchenAid oven inside a wooden cabinet?

You may have noticed that some homeowners have built cabinets to conceal certain kitchen appliances. Behind a set of cabinet doors might lie a refrigerator. A sliding panel might be opened to reveal a dishwasher.

KitchenAid stoves can also be set inside custom wooden cabinets. It's important to make sure that there is enough space between the exterior of the appliance and the interior of the cabinet, however. How much space you will need depends on the model oven you have.

Consult your owner's manual for the recommended spacing. Pay close attention to how to properly ventilate as well, as certain ovens will require adequate ways for the heat they generate to safely escape.

How long will a KitchenAid oven last?

Many consumers will base their decision to buy certain appliance brands based on their expected longevity. An oven can be quite an investment and not an item that some households can budget to replace every few years. Thankfully, the models manufactured by KitchenAid are known to last.

On average, an oven will last around 10 years. KitchenAid models last an average of 10 to 15 years. While there are brands on the market that last longer, consumers can rest assured that their KitchenAid model will still be in service for a decade or longer.

General Electric is worth considering if you want a model that will outlast the competition. This brand has ovens that are still in service 20 years or more after installation.

Is there a warranty on KitchenAid ovens?

Consumers can rest assured that the manufacturer provides a warranty for KitchenAid models. The specifics of the warranty will vary depending on the type of oven or range, but all will have a full one-year warranty, no matter what style or model.

If you have an electric oven or range, KitchenAid will cover certain parts and labor should there be an issue. These will need to be serviced by an authorized repair specialist to be eligible.

In years six through 10, the porcelain will be covered if it begins to rust. The manufacturer gives no other warranty protection during this period. This is a common type of warranty coverage across most models of ovens and range tops.

Are there any common problems with KitchenAid ovens?

No matter how great an appliance manufacturer's reputation for reliability is, there are going to be some problems that arise with certain models from time to time. And though KitchenAid has a great reputation for reliability, there have been some issues with some models that have been reported by consumers. Though not necessarily common, they are worth pointing out.

The most common problem with this brand's gas models concerns the ignitor. When this fails, the gas will not light, and your oven will not get hot. This is fairly inexpensive to replace, however.

If you have an electric model, the most common issue is the heating element. It's recommended to routinely check this part for signs of wear so that you can easily replace it before it stops functioning.

In conclusion

Any oven will be warm to the touch when in use. Be sure to exercise caution when operating the oven or range, as severe burns can occur. Take care of the KitchenAid oven and you'll see it last beyond a decade.

Thanks for finishing! We hope this post answered all your questions about your Kitchenaid oven. For more helpful resources, we suggest reading the following posts:

How To Turn Off A Kitchenaid Oven [Inc. Troubleshooting When It Won’t Turn Off]

How Long Does It Take To Preheat An Oven [& How To Know When It Is Preheated]?

Can I Use Oven And Stove At The Same Time? [How Hot Do Each Get?]