Thanks for doing this. I've been wondering about the BJs since I got my first O'Keefe & Merritt (1953) gas stove in 2013. The oven could not regulate itself - the oven burner would not drop to bypass flame. Since the thermostat was shot, I decided to take it apart, while searching for a replacement. I found a newer model - the BJWAZ. For whatever reason, there were some basic differences including the dial rotation was reversed and the knob design was changed. There were also more add-ons, which I had to remove to make the thermostat fit into the space. Finally, I had to repipe the outflow between the thermostat and solenoid since the new thermostat output was on the left hand side instead of the right. While the BJWAZ works perfectly, I still want to get just a plain BJ. :)
Very informative. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I’m in need of this exact same part and have yet to locate one. Any help would be much appreciated 🙏. Thanks
Just the breakdown I was looking for! I don’t generally do lots of hot side repairs, but I’d looked at a commercial oven recently that overheats. My suspicion is confirmed that the sensing bulb or cap tube is bad…
Awesome! As a restaurant owner, this is information that I need to know, otherwise, you're going to find yourself paying $500 (in labor) to the technician to replace both thermostats on a Wolf flat griddle, like I did. One year later, the right thermostat went, and I just bought it online and installed it myself. I had to rotate the rear housing, and the thermostat needs calibration, which I still have not done due to lack of time, but at least I have the griddle working. What I would do to make the video better? I would try it first on another thermostat to get familiar with the parts and be more precise on the instructions, which is going to produce a shorter and more concise video. Thank you Jack!
Very nice explanation. I am not completely sure what happens when the thermostat breaks. According to the video the oven will then be "set" to its max temperature all the time rather than its lowest? If that's so it will probably be good to make some bread still, but no cakes .
This style valve holds very close to the set temperature but the equipment must be preheated for very sensitive things like custards or pastry. The longer the oven is at temp the closer the actual temp stays to the set temperature. letting the equipment preheat is critical.
I really appreciate your video. Very informative! If I wanted to manually control the thermostat and not use the thermometer feature, how would I do that? Would I just remove the section that cuts off the gas from the main source? Thank you!
Calibration screw should never be turned, The center metal cap on the knob is popped out and the screw is held while the knob only, is moved to properly calibrate these BJ tstats
The pilot is kept lit by a safety gas valve, using a thermocouple. This thermostat basically controls the temperature of the oven. The bypass screw is adjusted by turning the screw clockwise to increase your bypass flame, normally set at 1/8 of an inch height of flame from the burner. This is set when the oven temperature is met. For example 350 degrees F. Then you set the bypass flame. You want it at least 1/8 inch tall or less.
Thank you for taking the time and sharing your experience
Thanks for doing this. I've been wondering about the BJs since I got my first O'Keefe & Merritt (1953) gas stove in 2013. The oven could not regulate itself - the oven burner would not drop to bypass flame. Since the thermostat was shot, I decided to take it apart, while searching for a replacement. I found a newer model - the BJWAZ. For whatever reason, there were some basic differences including the dial rotation was reversed and the knob design was changed. There were also more add-ons, which I had to remove to make the thermostat fit into the space. Finally, I had to repipe the outflow between the thermostat and solenoid since the new thermostat output was on the left hand side instead of the right. While the BJWAZ works perfectly, I still want to get just a plain BJ. :)
This was incredibly well-explained. It helped me diagnose my oven problem. Thanks.
Jack, agree with Kevin. This was awesome. Thank you for doing these. We have the greatest technicians in the industry!
Jack, this is outstanding information. Thanks for taking the time to do this
Thank you for doing these videos Jack! Great information for new and tenured techs as well as DMs to generate understanding and knowledge!
Excellent, thank you!
Very informative. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I’m in need of this exact same part and have yet to locate one. Any help would be much appreciated 🙏. Thanks
Just the breakdown I was looking for! I don’t generally do lots of hot side repairs, but I’d looked at a commercial oven recently that overheats. My suspicion is confirmed that the sensing bulb or cap tube is bad…
Awesome!
As a restaurant owner, this is information that I need to know, otherwise, you're going to find yourself paying $500 (in labor) to the technician to replace both thermostats on a Wolf flat griddle, like I did.
One year later, the right thermostat went, and I just bought it online and installed it myself. I had to rotate the rear housing, and the thermostat needs calibration, which I still have not done due to lack of time, but at least I have the griddle working.
What I would do to make the video better? I would try it first on another thermostat to get familiar with the parts and be more precise on the instructions, which is going to produce a shorter and more concise video.
Thank you Jack!
I have found this stuff fascinating since I was a kid 50 years ago.
Do old gas dryer and water heater valves work the same way?
Very nice explanation. I am not completely sure what happens when the thermostat breaks. According to the video the oven will then be "set" to its max temperature all the time rather than its lowest? If that's so it will probably be good to make some bread still, but no cakes .
This style valve holds very close to the set temperature but the equipment must be preheated for very sensitive things like custards or pastry. The longer the oven is at temp the closer the actual temp stays to the set temperature. letting the equipment preheat is critical.
Do you work on commercial ovens.
I have a wedgewood futura R2773 wall double gas oven and thermostat broke off...it also has a gas pilot...any idea where I can find a replacement?
What is the exact model the one you have ?
I really appreciate your video. Very informative!
If I wanted to manually control the thermostat and not use the thermometer feature, how would I do that? Would I just remove the section that cuts off the gas from the main source?
Thank you!
I don't recommend trying to modify the valve. It's not intended to be a manual control and couldn't be modified to safely do what you're looking for.
Calibration screw should never be turned, The center metal cap on the knob is popped out and the screw is held while the knob only, is moved to properly calibrate these BJ tstats
How to replace bj valve on oven
Can you shut down the pilot hundred percent?
The pilot is kept lit by a safety gas valve, using a thermocouple. This thermostat basically controls the temperature of the oven. The bypass screw is adjusted by turning the screw clockwise to increase your bypass flame, normally set at 1/8 of an inch height of flame from the burner. This is set when the oven temperature is met. For example 350 degrees F. Then you set the bypass flame. You want it at least 1/8 inch tall or less.
Well, if Ectofix recommended you.....
Here I am.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you find the videos helpful