An oven door gasket is a heat-resistant strip fitted around the oven opening that keeps hot air inside and reduces heat loss. It helps the oven preheat faster, maintain a stable temperature, and protects the front panel and controls from excess heat.

Common issues include loss of elasticity, cracks or tears, the seal coming loose from its mounts, and grease contamination that reduces sealing performance. Typical symptoms are weaker heating, unstable temperature, a hotter-than-normal exterior, a burning smell, and visible gaps or deformation.

The usual solution is cleaning and replacing the seal with a compatible one for the specific model. It’s important to match the correct profile and mounting type (hooks or groove). Let the oven cool down and unplug it before replacement.