Molly Ayala
Replacing the heating element in an electric oven is a simple DIY fix that requires no special skills, just a few basic household tools. The first step is to identify the model number or part number of the element and purchase a replacement. Then, make sure the oven is unplugged and confirm that there is no voltage present with a non-contact voltage tester. Next, remove the oven racks and the oven door if necessary, followed by the base panel covering the heating element. After that, disconnect the wires and remove the old heating element. Finally, install the new element by reconnecting the wires, sliding it into place, and securing it with screws.
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your oven for maintenance
Preparing your oven for maintenance is a simple task that can save you money and ensure your oven functions properly and lasts for many years. Here are the steps you should take to prepare your oven for maintenance, specifically focusing on fitting a new electric oven element:
Step 1: Safety First
Before you begin any work on your oven, always take the proper safety precautions. Turn off the power to the oven by unplugging it from the wall outlet. If you cannot access the plug, locate your home's main circuit breaker and turn off the switch corresponding to the oven. If your oven has a power switch, turn it off as well. Use a non-contact voltage tester or a multimeter to confirm that the power is indeed off.
Step 2: Prepare the Oven
Remove the oven racks and, if necessary, the oven door. Oven doors can be heavy, so be careful when removing and handling them. Set the door aside on a towel to prevent scratching your floor.
Step 3: Inspect the Oven
Visually inspect the oven for any signs of damage or wear and tear. Look for any burnt or damaged wires, and cap or wrap them with electrical tape. If there is any debris or food residue inside the oven, clean it up to prevent any issues during maintenance.
Step 4: Remove the Old Element
Locate the screws or brackets holding the old heating element in place and remove them. Carefully pull out the old element, being mindful not to damage any wires or connections. Inspect the wires and connections to ensure they are intact and ready for the new element.
Step 5: Gather the Necessary Parts
Before fitting the new element, ensure you have the correct replacement part. Have the model number of your oven ready and purchase the matching element from the manufacturer or online retailers. Also, gather any tools you may need, such as screwdrivers, pliers, and electrical tape.
By following these steps, you will have your oven prepared for maintenance and be ready to fit the new electric oven element, ensuring your oven is in good working condition.
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Remove the oven door
Removing the oven door is a simple process and requires no tools. First, open the oven door fully and look for latches on the hinges. If there are latches, flip them up to unlock the hinges. Then, close the door about three-quarters of the way and hold its sides. Now, lift the door straight up and off the hinges to remove it. You may need to wiggle the door from side to side a little to get it off.
Once the door is removed, set it down in a safe location. Place the outer, handle side down on a flat, clean surface. Lay a blanket, towel, or other soft material down first for extra protection.
If the door gets stuck or doesn't move, there may be latches on the hinges that you need to undo first. Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry up on the latches if they don't move easily.
When you're ready to put the door back on, simply follow these steps in reverse. Start by lifting the door and positioning your hands about a quarter of the way down from the top. Hold the door at a 90-degree angle to the oven and maintain inward pressure on the hinges as you hinge the door down flat.
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Disconnect the power supply
Disconnecting your electric oven from its power source is a crucial step before you begin to replace the heating element. This safety precaution ensures that no electricity is connected to the oven during the replacement process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you disconnect the power supply safely and effectively:
Firstly, locate your home's main circuit breaker. This is usually found in a circuit breaker box or distribution board, often located in a utility room or garage. Once you have found the circuit breaker box, identify the switch or breaker that corresponds to the oven's power supply. It may be labelled for identification. If you have a double oven with two separate power supplies, you will need to turn off both breakers. Flip the relevant switch or switches to the "off" position to cut off the electricity supply to your oven.
If your oven is hardwired into the electrical system, you may not be able to simply unplug it from the wall. In this case, turning off the circuit breaker is essential to disconnect the power supply. However, if your oven is plugged into an outlet, you must unplug it from the wall to guarantee no electricity is flowing to the appliance.
To ensure your safety further, you can use a non-contact voltage tester to check that the power supply is indeed off. Touch the probe of the tester to the wire ends of the oven's power supply. If there is no voltage present, the tester will indicate this. If voltage is detected, you have not successfully disconnected the power, and you must return to the circuit breaker to try again.
By following these steps, you can confidently disconnect the power supply to your electric oven, ensuring a safe environment for you to replace the heating element.
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Take out the faulty heating element
Before attempting any repairs, ensure your oven is unplugged or switched off at the circuit breaker. Allow the oven to cool completely, and put on safety goggles and gloves.
The heating element is usually located at the bottom of the oven, with another broiling element at the top. Some ovens also have a third convection element at the back. The lower bake element is the one most commonly replaced.
To remove the faulty heating element, first remove any racks from the oven. If your oven has a flat metal cover at the bottom, pull up sharply on the grooved lip at the front edge, then lift the panel away. If your oven has a door, you may want to remove this to make it easier to access the element. To do this, open the door fully, then pull the right and left latches up and toward you. You may need to use a flat-head screwdriver to do this. Close the door almost fully, holding onto the handle, then lift the bottom hinges out of the oven cavity. Rest the door against your legs, then set it down on a towel on the floor.
Once you have access to the element, remove the screws or fasteners holding it in place. Gently pull the element toward you, being careful not to pull on the wires connected to the back. Before disconnecting the wires, take a photo or make a note of how they are connected, to help with reinstallation. Remove the metal spade connectors from the element terminals using your fingers or needle-nose pliers, pulling only on the metal connectors and not the wires.
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Install the new heating element
Installing a new heating element is one of the easiest repairs you can perform on your oven. Before you begin, ensure you have disconnected your appliance from its power source. If your appliance is hard-wired, turn off the oven's circuit breaker.
Now, you can install the new oven element. Start by sliding each wire connector onto one of the element probes. Use pliers if necessary to force the wire connectors onto the probes, and make sure they are fully inserted. Slide the element into place so that the mounting bracket is against the oven wall and the screw holes are aligned.
Next, secure the element's mounting plate to the back wall of the oven with the mounting screws. Ensure the screws are firmly anchored.
Now, you can reconnect the terminal wires. Use pliers to guide the wire ends into the terminals on the element's backside. Once the wires are secure, slide the element back until it rests flush against the rear wall of the oven.
Finally, restore power to the oven and test your new heating element. Set the oven to ""bake" and check that it is glowing with a consistent bright orange colour.
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Frequently asked questions
If your oven isn't warming up properly, you might need to replace the heating element. You can confirm this by checking the resistance with a multimeter.
First, ensure your oven is unplugged or disconnected from the power source. Then, remove the oven racks and locate the heating element. Remove the mounting bracket and screws securing the element to the oven, and carefully disconnect the wires.
You will need a few basic tools, such as a screwdriver (Phillips head or flat head), needle-nose pliers, and a non-contact voltage tester to confirm that the power is off.
Line up the screw holes of the new element with the metal screw plates in the oven. Reconnect the terminal wires, ensuring they are fully inserted and secure. Secure the element with the mounting screws.
Restore power to the oven and set it to "bake". You should feel heat radiating from inside the oven, and the element should glow with a consistent bright orange colour.
