Can You Use an Oven With a Broken Heating Element? Expert Guidance & Tips

Picture the scene: You’re ready to whip up a homemade pizza for dinner, or maybe it’s just time to bake some chewy chocolate chip cookies, and your oven decides to play the villain. You peek inside, hit “start,” and… nothing. No glow. The heating element’s just sitting there, stone-cold and useless. Now you’re left standing in your socks, asking, “Do I even dare use this thing?”

How Does an Oven Heating Element Work—and Why It Matters?

Ovens run on a simple but clever principle, whether electric or gas. Electric ovens rely on visible metal coils—the heating elements—that glow red when in action. Gas ovens use a burner instead. For electric ovens, these elements are the workhorses, converting electric energy into heat that cooks your food. Think of them like giant toasters built into your appliance. When you twist the control knob, electricity surges through the element, which fights back by heating up. That’s what bakes your casserole and crisps your croissants.

Now, what happens if the element’s broken? Some folks think, “Hey, the oven’s still technically on, so it must be fine to use.” Not really. If the element develops a crack or a burnout spot, you’ll usually notice erratic performance—hot spots, uneven baking, or no heat at all. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission lists heating elements as one of the top parts to fail in aging ovens. A standard coil element should last about five years, though I’ve seen some conk out after just two if you’re a daily pastry fiend. High oven usage, rough cleaning, and even power surges can speed up their demise.

What’s interesting is that some ovens have more than one element. For example, a typical modern electric oven has both a bake element (bottom) and a broil element (top). So, when you set your oven to “bake,” it’s mostly that bottom element in play. Broiling uses the top. If one goes, can you still use the other? Sometimes. But even then, you’re dealing with only half the intended heat source, and that can mess with recipe timing in ways your smoke alarm won’t appreciate.

So, when the element’s out, your oven either won’t heat up at all or will only get hot on one side. I once tried to make a lasagna with a bad bottom element—figured I’d just run the broiler. Big mistake. The result? Charred cheese up top and a disaster underneath. It made for a funny story when Elara came home, but the takeaway is clear: heating elements aren’t just accessories, they’re the engine of your oven.

What Can Go Wrong If You Use an Oven With a Broken Heating Element?

Alright, you might be feeling bold, thinking, “What’s the worst that could happen?” The trouble is, using an oven with a busted heating element doesn’t just mean longer cooking times. The risk starts with uneven heating. Without proper function, you could face half-cooked chicken, doughy bread, or raw pizza, which gives you more than just a culinary letdown—it can lead to food safety nightmares. According to the CDC, undercooked meats are a leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks at home.

Another hidden danger: repeated attempts to use an oven with a broken element can cause electrical shorts or even small fires. I know a neighbor who kept running her oven “just to toast bread” with a cracked element, thinking no harm in five minutes. Well, one day, a visible spark popped. She was lucky; all she got was a kitchen smoke-out. Afterward, her repair guy confirmed the damaged element was arcing to the oven’s metal housing. Scary stuff.

Here’s a rare but possible twist: your oven control board can also take a hit. When the oven struggles to power a faulty element, it might overwork the electronics, leading to even higher repair bills. Even if you have a double-element oven and only one seems bad, running on a single element puts stress on the other. This can speed up its failure, leading to a domino effect—one problem multiplying into several. Safety experts advise you to avoid using the oven until the issue’s solved, because even something as simple as burning wires can fill your house with toxic fumes.

Thinking you’ll just “get by” for a bit? Here’s what your food will look like: cakes that dome on one side, cookies that come out barely golden but still raw, and lasagna with mysterious cold spots. If you’re baking for friends or family, the frustration grows every time you peek in and see a lopsided mess. And if you have little ones at home, remember that a failing oven may release smoke or even set off fire alarms, leading to panic—or real danger. So, even though it’s tempting to push your luck, it’s just not worth the risk for your food or your safety.

DIY or Get Help? What To Do When Your Oven Stops Heating

So, your oven’s out and dinner plans are up in smoke. The big question: fix it yourself or call in the pros? Here’s my take, drawn from more than a few home repair adventures (and a couple of mild arguments with Elara over “just one more try!”). First, figure out exactly what’s wrong. Unplug your oven before you touch anything. If your oven’s digital display works, but there’s no heat or the element isn’t glowing, it’s likely the element itself. For electric ovens, the average replacement part ranges from $20 to $50, and you can find the right element by model number. Most home improvement stores keep popular brands in stock—especially Whirlpool, GE, and Frigidaire.

Here’s a handy checklist for troubleshooting:

• Check for visible breaks, bulges, or cracks in the element
• If you have a multimeter, test for continuity (no continuity usually means it’s dead)
• Inspect for scorch marks or burnt wiring near the element’s feeds
• Look for tripped breakers on your panel—sometimes, a blown element pops the breaker
• For convection ovens, check the fan, too. Sometimes a failed fan mimics an element problem

If you spot anything dramatic—burns, cracks, or exposed wires—don’t keep testing. Shut it down and plan for replacement. Now, if you’re handy, swapping out a bake or broil element just takes a screwdriver and about half an hour. Plenty of homeowners handle it themselves. Slide out the old element, unhook its electrical connectors, and slot the new element in. But if you’re staring at a built-in wall oven, or if things look confusing, it’s smarter (and safer) to get a pro. According to a 2023 survey from HomeAdvisor, the average cost for a typical oven element replacement lands around $150—way less than a new oven, and often same-day service if you book early.

And while you’re waiting for that repair, don’t ignore other options. I’ve seen folks get creative—portable toaster ovens, slow cookers, or even grilling outside take the pressure off until the oven’s sorted. If your model has two elements, you might be tempted to broil everything. Go slow with that one. Broilers are intense, designed for a quick blast of heat. Baked goods, casseroles, or anything with raw eggs just won’t cook right. It can also dry out or burn food before it’s safe to eat. Nothing ruins a dinner party like a crunchy-on-top, liquid-batter-inside cake.

If you decide to call a technician, jot down your oven’s model number first. Snap a clear photo of the damaged element. This info helps avoid double repairs and gets you a faster fix. And since some common oven fires come from ignoring broken elements, most home insurance companies recommend addressing issues within days—not weeks. Safety trumps convenience every time.

Staying Safe and Making the Best of It

When your oven’s heating element is broken, it’s easy to feel stuck. But there are practical ways to keep yourself and your kitchen safe until it’s repaired. First off, avoid any urges to “just use the stove” in creative ways (like, no, you can’t safely bake a cake on a stovetop as a workaround—a friend tried and almost glued a pot to her burner with melted sugar). Focus instead on safer, proven alternatives. Toaster ovens, air fryers, slow cookers, and even an outdoor grill can handle a surprising number of everyday dishes. I’ve personally made decent pizza on the grill—just keep the lid down for that warm-oven effect.

Before that repair job, make sure the oven is unplugged or the circuit switch is thrown. Heating elements can sometimes look harmless even when faulty, but a stray touch can easily result in a shock. Also, resist any “life hacks” that tell you to jury-rig or patch up a heating element. Replacement is the only lasting and safe fix. If the control board or wiring looks burnt or melted, back off and let a pro handle it—fire hazards can develop out of nowhere. Real talk: most home fires start in the kitchen, and the leading culprit is faulty appliances.

If you’ve got a special event or dinner coming up, ask a neighbor if you can borrow their oven, or batch-cook at a family member’s place. Many local bakeries or community centers rent kitchen access by the hour—a fun way to meet new people and avoid “oven envy.” And don’t forget to keep receipts or repair records. If your oven is under warranty, a broken element may be a covered fix. Some manufacturers upgraded their element warranties after a recall in 2022 targeting certain Samsung and Bosch models—read the fine print before shelling out cash.

Finally, once the new element is installed, give the oven a test run at 400°F with nothing inside for 20 minutes. Watch for smells or odd noises. If all’s clear, get back to your baking routine—and maybe reward yourself with those chocolate chip cookies you’ve been craving since this whole mess began. Life’s too short for undercooked pizza, and way too short for burnt lasagna. Trust me, Elara has had her fill of my kitchen experiments—she’s always thankful when the oven behaves, and I think your household will be, too.