If your oven suddenly stops heating or takes forever to reach the set temperature, the heating element is probably the culprit. A bad element can ruin a dinner plan, waste energy, and even damage other parts of the oven if ignored. The good news? You can often tell it’s gone bad before you need to call a technician.
First, notice if the oven takes much longer than usual to pre‑heat. A fully functional element should bring the cavity up to temperature within 10‑15 minutes for most settings. If you’re waiting 30 minutes or more, the element is likely losing power.
Second, look for uneven heating. Spotty hot spots, cold corners, or a tray that stays cool while the rest of the oven is hot usually mean the element isn’t distributing heat evenly. This can happen when the element’s coating cracks or when it’s partially burned out.
Third, check for visual clues. Open the oven door (when it’s cool) and glance at the element. Any dark spots, bulging, or a faint smell of burning are clear red flags. A broken or broken‑looking coil won’t heat properly.
Fourth, listen for strange noises. A humming or buzzing sound without heat often points to a failing element that’s still drawing power but not converting it to heat.
Finally, consider the error codes on modern ovens. Many digital panels will display an “E” code or a specific element fault message if the internal sensors detect a problem.
Before you yank the oven apart, try a quick continuity test with a multimeter. Unplug the oven, remove the element (most are held by a few screws), and set the meter to the ohms setting. A healthy element reads between 10 and 30 ohms. If the meter shows infinite resistance or zero, the element is broken.
If you don’t have a multimeter, you can still do a basic visual and smell test. Turn the oven on to a high setting for a minute and see if the element glows red. No glow? That’s a strong sign it’s dead.
When the element is confirmed bad, you have two options: replace it yourself or call a local repair service. Replacing a standard heating element is usually straightforward – just disconnect the wires, unscrew the old coil, and bolt the new one in place. Make sure the replacement part matches the make and model of your oven.
Don’t forget safety. Always disconnect power before handling any internal parts, and double‑check the wires are correctly re‑attached. If you’re unsure about wiring or notice any burnt wires, it’s best to let a professional handle it.
In summary, a bad oven element shows up as slow heating, uneven hotspots, visual damage, odd noises, or error codes. A quick visual check and a simple continuity test can confirm the issue. Replace the element yourself if you’re comfortable with basic DIY; otherwise, call a qualified Northampton appliance repair service to get it fixed fast and safely.
Is your hot water running cold? Discover how to tell if a hot water heater element is bad with practical signs, tips, and DIY troubleshooting anyone can follow.
Continue reading...