Faulty Stove Element – How to Diagnose and Repair It

Notice your stove taking forever to heat up or not heating at all? Chances are the heating element is the culprit. A faulty stove element is one of the most common kitchen annoyances, but you don’t have to live with it. Below you’ll find the easiest way to tell what’s wrong and what you can do before you call a technician.

What a Faulty Stove Element Looks Like

First, check the visual clues. A healthy element glows red when it’s on. If it looks dark, uneven, or has dark spots, it’s probably burned out. You might also hear a buzzing sound or notice a faint smell of burnt plastic. In electric ovens, the element may crack or break apart. In gas cookers, the element is the coil that can get covered in grease or become corroded.

Another tell‑tale sign is inconsistent heating. If the burner heats on one part of the pot and stays cool on the other, the element isn’t distributing heat evenly. That usually means the coil is damaged or there’s a loose connection inside.

Simple Fixes You Can Try at Home

Before you grab the phone, try these quick steps:

1. Turn off the power. Unplug the stove or switch off the circuit breaker. Safety first.
2. Inspect the element. Look for visible cracks, breaks, or heavy build‑up of food residue. A gentle cleaning with a damp cloth can sometimes restore performance.
3. Test with a multimeter. Set the meter to ohms (Ω) and touch the probes to the element’s terminals. A healthy element reads around 10‑30 Ω. If you get “infinite” or a wildly fluctuating reading, the element is bad.
4. Replace the element. For most electric stoves, the element screws in place or clips onto a bracket. Unscrew the old piece, match the new one by model number, and secure it. If you have a gas coil, you’ll need to detach the old coil, slide the new one into the bracket, and reconnect the gas line according to the manufacturer’s guide.

If the stove still won’t heat after a fresh element, the problem could be the wiring or the control board. Those parts need a professional’s eye, especially if you’re not comfortable working with electricity.

When you’re stuck, call a local repair service. A qualified technician can quickly diagnose wiring issues, replace control boards, and ensure everything is safe. In Northampton, many specialists offer same‑day service and a guarantee on parts.

Bottom line: a faulty stove element is usually easy to spot, and swapping it out is a straightforward DIY job if you follow safety steps. If the problem persists, don’t gamble with electricity—let the pros handle it. Your kitchen will be back to full speed in no time.