Narrative:

Prior to take-off; activated number 2 oven at 257F/18minutes. Oven switched off normally once cycle was complete. However; upon opening the door to remove containers of nuts; noticed a brilliant red glow on right side of oven cavity; directly behind metal baffle plate. I also noted a burning hot metal odor. The oven was switched to off but noted the red glow was not decreasing. Instead; it appeared to be getting brighter with the heat increasing. Flight attendant #3 was near the cabin divider; so I called for his assistance in the event firefighting procedures were required. Once he arrived; I partially opened the door so he could also evaluate and offer suggestions. We both agreed it was abnormal for the oven's heating element to continue to operate even with the power switch set to off; the door was reclosed. He also confirmed the burning hot metal odor. I contacted the flight deck and advised the captain of the malfunction. Further; I requested permission to pull the number 2 oven circuit breaker. The captain concurred with my request. Initially; the breaker was difficult to open (pull); it appeared stuck in the on position. I tugged harder and it eventually popped out. Within a few seconds I could hear the oven cooling down; metal crackling sound. I again partially opened the door; with the captain still on the interphone; and confirmed the heating element was cooling/switched off. Oven was placarded with inoperative label and entered into logbook for repair. At no time during this event did the internal fan cycle back on; nor did the red 'oven overheat' indicator illuminate on the control panel.I find it extremely concerning the oven's power switch failed to shut down the heating coils; forcing me to pull the circuit breaker to correct the malfunction. This action is not a current written procedure for oven overheat/malfunctions; only for confirmed oven fires. It's presumed had this matter been left uncorrected; the situation could have far more serious consequences. Hence; maybe the current procedure for oven overheating needs to be revised to include use of the circuit breaker to fully shut down the oven. Additionally; there have been previous incidents regarding this same matter involving the same aircraft/oven type.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 Flight Attendant reported that the Number 2 oven heating element continued to operate after the power switch was set to OFF.

Narrative: Prior to take-off; activated Number 2 oven at 257F/18minutes. Oven switched off normally once cycle was complete. However; upon opening the door to remove containers of nuts; noticed a brilliant red glow on right side of oven cavity; directly behind metal baffle plate. I also noted a burning hot metal odor. The oven was switched to OFF but noted the red glow was not decreasing. Instead; it appeared to be getting brighter with the heat increasing. FA #3 was near the cabin divider; so I called for his assistance in the event firefighting procedures were required. Once he arrived; I partially opened the door so he could also evaluate and offer suggestions. We both agreed it was abnormal for the oven's heating element to continue to operate even with the power switch set to OFF; the door was reclosed. He also confirmed the burning hot metal odor. I contacted the flight deck and advised the captain of the malfunction. Further; I requested permission to pull the Number 2 oven circuit breaker. The captain concurred with my request. Initially; the breaker was difficult to open (pull); it appeared stuck in the ON position. I tugged harder and it eventually popped out. Within a few seconds I could hear the oven cooling down; metal crackling sound. I again partially opened the door; with the captain still on the interphone; and confirmed the heating element was cooling/switched off. Oven was placarded with INOP label and entered into logbook for repair. At no time during this event did the internal fan cycle back on; nor did the red 'oven overheat' indicator illuminate on the control panel.I find it extremely concerning the oven's power switch failed to shut down the heating coils; forcing me to pull the circuit breaker to correct the malfunction. This action is not a current written procedure for oven overheat/malfunctions; only for confirmed oven fires. It's presumed had this matter been left uncorrected; the situation could have far more serious consequences. Hence; maybe the current procedure for oven overheating needs to be revised to include use of the circuit breaker to fully shut down the oven. Additionally; there have been previous incidents regarding this same matter involving the same aircraft/oven type.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.