If your oven is not heating up normally, the problem may be with a faulty heating element. Replacing a broken element isn't difficult, but it's tricky enough to remove a few tiny components in the tight crevices of the oven. First of all, disconnect the power cord from the power source to make sure you stay safe. Then, locate and replace the faulty heater. The new heater can be installed in the same way as the old heater. When you're done, you can turn on the oven again and try to use it as usual.
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Method 1 of 3: Removing Old Components
Step 1. Turn off the oven
Before replacing the damaged component, you need to disconnect the power supply to the oven. Unplug the oven's power cord or turn off the electricity in the house directly from the circuit breaker. Move the lever to the “Off” position to cut off the power. You'll likely find two circuit breakers, each going to the 120-volt fuse that powers the oven. If so, make sure to turn both of them off.
- If you don't have an oven-specific circuit breaker, you may need to cut power to the entire kitchen area.
- Unplug the oven's power cord from the power outlet just in case.
Step 2. Remove the base panel covering the heating element
Some ovens have a metal lid on the bottom designed to hide the bottom heating element. To remove a cover, find a gap in the front and lift it up. After that, remove the panel from its slot.
- If you don't see the heating wire curling when you open the oven door, it's most likely covered by a lid.
- Not all base panels are equipped with lever slots. You may need to press on one corner of the panel to lift the other corner of the panel so that it can be removed.
Step 3. Remove the components on the front and back
Loosen and remove the screws at each joint with a flat-head screwdriver. Most oven heaters have 2 screws on the front and 2 on the back to attach the components to the oven wall.
- If the oven heater is tightened with bolts instead of standard screws, you can remove it with a 0.6 cm bolt wrench.
- Keep the screws in one place so they don't get lost. You can put it in a small bowl to be safe.
Step 4. Disconnect the wire connected to the heater
Pull the loosened heating component a few inches from the back wall to create ample space. Use small pliers to remove the two colored wires from the terminals on the back of the component. Pay attention to the wire configuration so that you can easily reassemble it after installing the new heating element.
- Be careful that the wire doesn't slip into the holes in the back of the oven or you'll have to disassemble the entire oven assembly to put it back together. You can tape the wire to the interior walls of the oven with tape.
- The wire to the heating element is sometimes secured with a male-female spade connector or a thin metal slot that can interlock. These items can usually be easily removed with small pliers.
Method 2 of 3: Installing a New Heating Element
Step 1. Identify the type and model of the old heating element
You can usually find the brand, model number, or manufacturer's serial code on one side of the wide metal bar on the heater. You should use this information to buy new parts that really fit.
- Record important information about the parts being replaced before throwing them away. This method is much easier than taking it straight to the hardware store.
- If you can't find the part model you're looking for in a store, try ordering it online.
Step 2. Put the new heating element in the oven
Position the element over the base of the oven and set the metal plate to face down, with the terminals facing the back of the oven. Pause to make sure the screw holes on the new heating element are aligned with the holes in the oven.
The convection oven heating element needs to be installed at the top of the oven, but the installation method remains the same
Step 3. Reconnect the terminal wire
Take the pliers and guide the wire to the terminals on the back of the oven heater. If there is a male-female connector on the end, you will hear a click when the wire is fully seated. Once the wire is in place, slide the heating element back into place until it sticks to the back wall of the oven.
- Make sure each wire is attached to the correct terminal. This shouldn't be too difficult as most ovens only have 2 wires and the objects are usually so far apart from each other that the ends are in front of the proper terminal plugs. Incorrect wiring of the oven can cause a short circuit which can start a fire.
- Do not hold the pliers too tightly to prevent damage to the ends of the wire.
Step 4. Secure the heating element with screws
Insert the screws into the metal plates on the bottom of the heater, 2 on the front and 2 on the back. Tighten the screw with a screwdriver or bolt wrench until it can no longer be turned. Shake the element slightly to make sure it doesn't come loose.
Use a 0.6 cm bolt wrench if the oven heating element is tightened with bolts, not screws
Step 5. Replace the panel at the bottom
If your oven has a separate cover, slide the cover back over the new component and press it down completely. Tighten the screws or other securing before turning on the oven as usual.
Cracked or raised corners indicate that the base panel of the oven is installed at a slight angle
Method 3 of 3: Making sure the new heating element is working properly
Step 1. Turn the power back into the oven
Return to the circuit breaker and move the lever to the “On” position. Remember to turn on both circuit breakers if your oven uses two fuses. This will return electricity to the oven, so it's important to make sure you've done all the work before doing it.
Don't forget to plug the oven back into the power cord when you unplugged it
Step 2. Test the new heating element
Turn on the oven and select the setting to “bake” or “convection”, depending on the type of element you are replacing, then allow the oven to warm up for a few minutes. Position your hands at a safe distance from the heating element. The element should not take long to radiate heat.
- An active heating element is usually bright red when it is functioning properly.
- Try increasing the heat setting gradually to find out what the new heating element is capable of when used at high temperatures.
- If the oven still feels cold after you replace the component that is thought to be faulty, there may be a problem with the cables. Contact an experienced electrician to diagnose and fix the problem.
Step 3. Watch the smoke coming out
Don't panic if you see a little smoke rising from the preheated oven – this is due to the protective coating from the factory covering the surface of the new element. Not to worry, but it is recommended to delay the cooking process for about half an hour after installing the new heating element.
- You may smell a slightly pungent odor.
- Persistent thick smoke can indicate that there are burnt components in the oven. If the smoke doesn't stop coming out after a few minutes, call the fire department.
Tips
- Even if the power to the oven has been turned off, wearing thick gloves will provide a greater sense of security when dealing with the electrical components of the oven.
- If accessing the oven's heating element is difficult, you may need to remove the grill rack or remove the entire oven door to allow more freedom to work.
- A flashlight is very useful to help you identify small components and see hand movement in the oven.
- Be prepared to replace the entire heating element of the oven, if necessary. These items have a relatively similar lifespan. In other words, if one heating element is damaged, the other heating elements may also fail soon.
