Range & Wall Oven - Preheat Time Too Long

The preheat time for Ranges and Wall Ovens varies according to the oven type. The information provided below will help you understand the expectations and influences for preheating an oven.
 

Preheat Times

If the Range or Wall Oven is installed at its proper voltage (120 volts for gas and 240 volts for electric), you should expect the following preheat times for the oven:
 
  • Electric Ovens with Hidden Bake Elements and Gas Ovens can take 15 to 20 minutes to preheat.
  • Electric Ovens with a Hidden Bake Element and the Fast Preheat feature can take 7 to 10 minutes to preheat.
  • Ovens with a Visible Bake Element can take 5 to 10 minutes to preheat.
This is the normal operation and expected preheat time for the oven. The preheat time cannot be altered.
 

Factors That Influence Preheat Time

Factors that will effect the length of the preheat time are listed below:
 
  • Selected temperature (every 25 degree increment above a 350 degree set temperature will add approximately 45 to 60 seconds to the preheat time)
  • Starting temperature of the oven
  • Room temperature
  • Number of racks in the oven (each additional rack will add approximately 30 seconds to the preheat time)
  • A 208 volt installation rather than a 240 volt installation of an Electric Range or Wall Oven will increase the pre-heat time by 25%
  • A below 105 volt installation of a Gas Range or Wall Oven will increase the preheat time
For more information about preheat, check out our Range & Wall Oven - Preheat article.
 

Extremely Long Preheat Time

If the oven is taking much longer than normal to preheat:
 
  • First, turn off the circuit breaker for the Range or Wall Oven. Wait 30 seconds and turn the breaker back on. This will make sure that the circuit breaker is set correctly and the Range or Wall Oven is getting full power.
  • If it was newly installed, we recommend having the installer check the power cord or power supply to make sure it was wired to the Range or Wall Oven properly. Even if not newly installed, an electrician can check the power connections and power supply to the Range or Wall Oven.

Additional Support

Should service be necessary, please schedule a repair appointment with GE Appliances Factory Service.