Electric Oven Element Issues – What You Need to Know

If your oven just won’t heat, chances are the element has gone bad. The element is the metal coil that glows red and turns electricity into heat. When it fails, you get a cold oven, weird smells, or a clicking sound from the thermostat. The good news? Most problems are easy to spot and cheap to fix.

How to Tell If the Element Is Faulty

First, make sure the oven is actually getting power. Check the circuit breaker and any fuses in the kitchen. If the breaker is fine, look at the element itself. A broken coil will often have a visible crack or a black spot where it’s burnt out. If it looks okay, you’ll need a multimeter. Set it to ohms, touch the probes to the element terminals, and you should see a reading between 10 and 40 Ω. No reading or an infinite read means the element is dead.

Another tell‑tale sign is uneven heating. If you notice hot spots on one side of a tray, the element may be partially working. That usually points to a loose connection or a thin spot in the coil.

Replacing the Element – Step by Step

Before you start, unplug the oven or turn off the dedicated circuit. Most electric ovens have the element secured with a couple of screws and a metal clip. Remove the screws, pull the element out, and disconnect the wiring harness – it usually has a simple push‑in connector.

Take the old element to a hardware store and match the model number. Install the new one by reversing the steps: hook up the connector, seat the element, and tighten the screws. Slip the oven back into place, restore power, and run a quick 30‑minute bake to test. You should see the element glow evenly and the oven reach the set temperature.

While you’re in there, it’s worth checking the thermostat and oven sensor. A faulty thermostat can make it look like the element is bad because the oven never tells the element to turn on. If you still have heating issues after a new element, the thermostat might be the next culprit.

Finally, keep safety at the forefront. Never work on a live oven, and always wear insulated gloves. If you’re uncomfortable with any step, give Bridgewater Appliance Fixers a call. Our technicians can swap the element in under an hour and give you a warranty on the part.

Remember, a broken oven element is one of the most common kitchen repairs. With a basic multimeter and a few tools, you can save time and money. But if you hit a snag, professional help is just a phone call away.