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my oven door just exploded

I have a double oven/grill Diplomat oven fitted as part of my MFI kitchen about 4 maybe 5 years ago. I just put roast potatoes in the bottom oven and they were cooking nicely and decided to open the top open and grill some pork chops.

I did not put the grill on, but turned my back to go into the fridge to see if I had apple sauce and the top oven glass door just exploded. It didn't shatter gently, it literally went bang. Half of the glass spread across the kitchen and the rest is slowly falling out in a very alarming way.

No I'm not looking to sue anyone or complain my question is, is it possible to get a replacement fitted 'under worktop' oven without completely destroying my fitted kitchen? Unfortunately the oven is built under a continous stretch several foot long of worktop, all dovetailed in and which then goes round a corner. If all that has to come off I don't know what I would do.

I've really just about had enough of stuff at the moment, I was scared to death when the oven went bang and am still tearful, I can't even use the bottom oven and is has glass in it and tiny miniscule fragments just keep falling everywhere.

I just need to know that I can get a replacement built in oven without taking my kitchen apart.

Soo
I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.

Comments

  • susieb
    susieb Posts: 1,512 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi
    I replaced a built in oven in a rented house just before xmas. Hubby did it and sayes that there are holding screws at the side of the oven which you can undo (you will need to door open to see them he thinks) and then this pulls out. Any electrical retailer will sell built in ovens you just need one thats the same size.
    Always on the hunt for a bargain
  • No advice, I just want to give you a !!{hug}} that must have been so scary! Thank goodness no one got hurt.
  • vaio
    vaio Posts: 12,287 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    just buy a new bit of glass?
  • Well, Soo, I know I wouldn't be so forgiving - imagine if a child had been in there with you :eek:

    I'd at least contact the manufacturers to make them aware of what happened in case there is a design fault or something, so they can possibly put a recall out?

    I know you said it was 4/5 years old, but that ain't a lot for an oven really.

    I'd seek a bit of advice TBH - it isn't good enough for this to happen.

    Glad you are ok though...:)
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,428 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I had a look online and there are quite a few stories about this particular range of Diplomat ovens having problems, but there are also a lot of responses suggesting that double fronted glass ovens are not actually the safest thing in the world.

    As for just replacing the glass this won't work as the ovens appear to be completely sealed units (I would think for safety?) so there seems to be no way to just replace a door. It is also the outer glass that has gone so that means all the frame is damaged right back to the hinges, it isn't the inner removable bit that exploded.

    Really fed up though as it's just one more thing gone wrong these past few weeks. I'm just hoping it is a standard size, and if so I'll do as suggested and ring round and see if anyone can just remove this one and refit a while new oven, preferably one without any glass.

    Many thanks for the suggestions

    Soo
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • ozskin
    ozskin Posts: 451 Forumite
    should be no problem to just replace so dont fret. however this has occured because the safety glass in the oven door has failed and has broken safely, ie lots of little bits that wont cut you as opposed to shards that could do serious damage. assuming this is not a defective door, and even though i think most of mfi is distinctly mediocre, after 4-5yrs is highly unlikely. the door will have received a knock by someone and usually at a later time triggered by either thermal or movement will break. this also occurs on shower doors. they break because they have received a bang. although we are seeing increased reports of stamped glass to BS sharding dangerously as the rise in counterfeit goods rises
  • It is almost certainly an easy job to replace an integrated oven. Firstly as your original oven is not usable remove it. This is done by opening the front door and there will be 2 screws on each side that screw into the cabinet itself.

    Now making sure the electricity is off (there should be an isolating switch close by) pull the oven out with someones help and then disconnect the cable.

    Now measure the gap that is left, it will almost certainly be 600 mm wide, height is not important.

    Then go to screwfix or B&Q or wherever and buy a replacement and do the same operation in reverse.

    Whilst you are doing this make sure there is no way that the electrical supply can be reinstated, pull the fuse or breaker and make sure not to just leave it close by. Lock it away if necessary.

    It is probably a half hour job each way. Also as it is a direct replacement it doesnt need certifying under the Part P regulations.

    Good luck but keep safe.
  • Avoriaz
    Avoriaz Posts: 39,110 Forumite
    Soo, that sounds nasty. I hope you have recovered from the shock now. :)

    Fitted kitchen are designed to take standard sized ovens so you should have a wide choice of replacements. It is very unlikely that you will have to remove or modify the fitted units. Just make sure you get a replacement of the correct size.
    susieb wrote:
    Hi
    I replaced a built in oven in a rented house just before xmas. Hubby did it and sayes that there are holding screws at the side of the oven which you can undo (you will need to door open to see them he thinks) and then this pulls out...
    Our oven is like that. There are two small screws in the frame on each side, none top or bottom.

    I found it easier to completely remove the door before removing the oven as it makes it a lot lighter and you can then get closer in to slide and lift the oven out.

    Soo, if you DIY it, wear old clothes and protective gloves as the oven may be quite dirty inside and out. That is not a reflection on you. :D Dust will have gathered on the top over the years and there is bound to be a bit of grease etc inside it.

    Most important is to be absolutely certain that you have completely isolated the electricity supply before doing anything.
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,428 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Thanks again for all your advice. I'm not a DIY'r so will go off in search of 'a man who can'. I'm slightly less panicky today, I think I was still a bit shocked last night especially as I was already having major problems with a broken radiator leaking bucket loads of water onto my laundry floor. What with the fact that my heating and water will all have to go off today (and last time it wouldn't restart for 2 days) it just seems like someone is out to get me.

    As soon as I can leave my plumbers and things here I'll start looking for an oven and see how quickly I can get a new one fitted.

    I appreciate the advice, thank you.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
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