- Food does not cook or takes much longer to come to temperature
- Oven will not heat
- Oven only heats partially
How to Check...
- Check to make sure you have power going to the oven
- Turn on the oven and watch and see if the bottom element comes on
- If the bottom element works, than turn the temperature setting to broil and check. If the top element (broil element) does not come on, then you will need to replace it.
- If they both work, check and make sure that the gasket/seal lining your oven door is still providing a good seal, if it has gaps or cracks, this may be your problem.
- If you tried all of the above and everything is in good order, you may have a faulty thermostat; However, for the sake of this article, we will assume that the heat element is defective.
Replacing the Element
Below are the instructions for replacing an oven bake element. They were written using a GE Truetemp oven as an example. If you are for any reason uncomfortable working on your oven, please contact a reputable service technician. As always, use extreme caution when working with any electrical appliance and make sure that the power is off.
- Using the make/model numbers obtain a replacement element
- If you are unsure of the numbers, follow the instructions for removing the element and then take the element to an appliance parts store and have them match the elements
- Turn off the power to your oven by removing the fuse or flipping the breaker to the off position
- It is a good idea to place a piece of electricians tape over the breaker and placing a sign on the breaker box notifying everyone that you are currently working on the oven and not to touch the breakers
- If possible, unplug the oven as well.
- Remove all racks
- Remove the door
- Open the door until you reach the first "open" position (where that door stays open by itself). Lift-up on the door to remove
- Using a screwdriver, unscrew the two screws located on either side of the element
- Pull the element gently towards you, exposing the wires
- Depending on the element,there will be two small screws holding the two wires to the element
- Unscrew both screws and remove the wires
- If your element does not have the screws, simply pull the connectors (pull by the connectors, not the wires) off the leads
- Reverse the process
- Once installed, restore power
- Test the new element
I would suggest that you let the oven run for at least 30 minutes at 350, as this will help burn off any packing dust that will be on the element. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know and I will do the best I can to assist you.
Here are a few resources for you. I have used both of these and I have been very pleased with them...
RepairClinic.com
illustrations courtesy of...appliance411.com
Cool tips, Something I actually needed and will use today! Thanks
ReplyDeleteWillThink4Wine: Thank you for reminding me about that step. It is essential to correctly installing the element:)
ReplyDeleteAmyOops: You're welcome and I'm glad I could help. Just let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Well, waddaya know! I just found your post because my oven element has just picked today to frizzle and burn out. I am facing a DIY repair job, if I'm lucky, or will have to replace my range because the cost of a service call will exceed the value of the fully amortized range. Thank you for the reassuring how-to. I'll give that a try, first.
ReplyDeleteI can't read the part number anywhere so it looks like I'm going to have to de-assemble the element to bring it to the store (which closes in an hour and a half...of course, and is not open tomorrow).
I just hope I can unscrew it from the backplate without breaking the old screws... Sheeeshh.
What I'd really like to know is, how did my oven element know it was Christmas...?
Cheers!
Anonymous: Good luck with that and if you need any additional assistance, please leave a comment here and I will check back throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteI think there might be some sort of micro chip embedded in the elements which trigger on major holidays:) Again, let me know if I can be of any help.
I found your blog on search engine. Nice post and this is a great information for me. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletenot a commentbut a question does the element on thebottom of the stove go right through to the back of the stove
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: On my model of stove, the bottom element is attached to the back wall of the stove by two screws. If you remove the two screws and gently pull forward, you will expose the wires that are connected to the heat element.
ReplyDeleteI hope this answers your question. If you have any other questions, please let me know.
WillThink4Wine said...
ReplyDeleteMy ex-husband is a Commercial Appliance Technician, specializing in Gas. You seem to know what you're doing. But if memory serves me correctly, you left out a few key steps... specifically, swearing, yelling and throwing things. I think like your method much better!
Comment edited to remove dead/broken link.
Comment originally written on...
09 December, 2008 04:22
25 June, 2011 21:29