De Dietrich oven: strangely bad service

[Timothy Murphy]

The thermostat has gone wrong in our De Dietrich double oven (model FB2727U11).

We are finding it extraordinarily difficult to get a replacement. We have been trying for about 5 weeks, with a number of bizarre excuses.

The oven is not new, but not very old (maybe 8 years). As far as I can make out, De Dietrich makes dozen of models, each using a different thermostat.

My present thoughts are that I would never get another De Dietrich appliance. Am I being unreasonable? Perhaps it would be the same with any make?

[NT]

can't you fix the stat? The usual failure is burnt contacts, which can be lightly sanded with fine paper or a rat's tail file. This can affect the temperature calibration, best check it afterwards with an oven thermometer

NT

[Timothy Murphy]

My impression was that it is rather difficult to remove the thermostat from the oven?

[NT]

I cant offer any useful feedback on that, not done much work on ovens. I'd be mildly surprised if it were a problem though, ovens have to be quick to assemble, and I cant see anyone welding a stat in place.

NT

[NT]

or maybe you can fit one from another make

NT

[John]

can't you fix the stat? The usual failure is burnt contacts, which can be lightly sanded with fine paper or a rat's tail file. This can affect the temperature calibration, best check it afterwards with an oven thermometer

NT

I can't see the Oven Industry quaking in their boots at the thought of you not buying another of this make. Brand names are fairly meaningless as designs and manufacturing is often a 'outsourced' commodity. Te luck of the draw comes into it. Items are sourced from all over the world.

Have you contacted various Cooker Spares specialists?

[cynic]

try searching amongst the units here

[Timothy Murphy]

I thought that there was a long appendage attached to, or part of, the thermostat that wandered round the oven ...

[Scott M]

The actual sender part, yes, but you only have to be able to remove the control unit end from the panel so that you can dismantle it in situ and, as said, clean up[1] the contacts.

[1] Or realign - bought a 2nd hand NEFF with what turned out to be a dodgy stat which, on opening, had one of the contacts only half over its compatriot; the original tightening of its mounting screw had twisted the contact out of its proper place.

[NT]

That shouldnt prevent one dressing the contacts.

It also doesnt prevent fitting a completely new stat, the new sense bulb can go to a different location on the oven wall, as long as its broadly similar in location.

NT

[GB]

We had 3 De Dietrich appliances, all of which died prematurely - rather an expensive brand without the quality to match the price.

[Timothy Murphy]

We have a number of De Dietrich kitchen accessories. We haven't found them any less reliable than other brands, but when they do go wrong it is extremely difficult to get them mended.

De Dietrich's spare parts division seems extraordinarily bad. We waited 3 months for an oven thermostat, and didn't get it in the end. (Our specialist put in a Belling thermostat.)