Heating Element: How to Fix, Replace and Maintain Your Appliances

If your oven stays cold or your electric hob stops heating, the culprit is almost always the heating element. It's the part that turns electricity into heat, and when it fails your meals can go cold fast. Below we’ll break down what a heating element is, why it gives up, and simple DIY steps you can take before you call a professional.

What Is a Heating Element and Why It Fails

A heating element is a metal coil or ribbon built into the body of electric appliances. In ovens it sits at the bottom or top, in hobs each burner has its own element, and many dryers and water heaters use similar coils. Over time the metal can wear out, develop cracks, or get coated with cooking grease that causes hotspots.

Common reasons for failure include:

• Repeated heating cycles that fatigue the metal.
• Spilled food or oil that builds up and burns on the coil.
• Power surges that overheat the element instantly.
• Loose connections or broken wires that stop current flow.

When any of these happen, the element either stops heating completely or only works on part of the coil, leaving your oven half‑hot or a hob burner dead.

DIY Fixes for Common Heating Element Problems

Most heating‑element repairs are straightforward and don’t require a mechanic. All you need is a screwdriver, a multimeter (optional but handy), and the right replacement part. Here’s a quick rundown:

1. Identify the faulty element. Turn off the appliance at the mains, remove the back panel, and look for a broken coil or blackened spots. If you have a multimeter, test for continuity – no beep means the element is bad.
2. Order the correct replacement. Look for the model number on the old element or in your appliance manual. Search for “oven element” or “electric hob element” plus your model to get an exact match.
3. Remove the old part. Unscrew the mounting brackets and disconnect any wire connectors. Keep a note of how the wires are attached – a quick photo helps.
4. Install the new element. Hook the wires back up, secure the brackets, and replace the back panel. Make sure everything sits snugly; loose wires can cause a new failure.
5. Test it. Switch the power back on and run the appliance for a few minutes. The oven should heat evenly, and each hob burner should glow red when on.

If any step feels unsafe – especially dealing with wiring – stop and call a qualified electrician or a local appliance repair service. They can also check for hidden issues like a bad thermostat that could fry the new element.

Regular maintenance helps avoid future failures. Wipe spills away while the appliance cools, clean the oven interior with a mild cleaner, and run a quick visual check every few months. For hobs, use a scraper to remove burnt food before it hardens on the element.

Remember, a heating element is cheap compared to a whole new oven or hob. With a bit of patience you can save money and keep your kitchen running smoothly.