Nothing ruins a cooking session faster than an oven that won’t heat properly. If your baked goods come out soggy or your roast doesn’t brown, the oven element might be the culprit. Testing an oven element is a straightforward DIY task that can save you time and money before calling a repair technician. In this article, I’ll walk you through how to test an oven element easily and safely, even if you’re not a professional.
Why Should You Test Your Oven Element?
Oven elements are the heating coils inside your electric oven, usually found at the top (broil element) or bottom (bake element). These coils heat up and glow orange when working correctly. Over time, they can crack, burn out, or fail to heat properly, causing uneven cooking or no heat at all. Testing the element confirms if it’s working or needs replacement, helping you avoid unnecessary repairs or buying the wrong parts.
Tools You’ll Need
– Multimeter (set to measure resistance in ohms)
– Screwdriver (to remove the element’s mounting screws)
– Safety gloves (optional but recommended for protection against sharp edges)
– Camera or phone (to take pictures of wire connections for reassembly)
Step-by-Step Guide to Testing Your Oven Element
1. Safety First: Disconnect Power
Before you do anything, unplug your oven or turn off the circuit breaker supplying power to it. This step is crucial to prevent electric shock while working on the oven.
2. Locate and Access the Element
– Remove the oven racks to give yourself room to work.
– For the bake element, look at the bottom of the oven. It’s usually attached with screws or clips to the back wall.
– For the broil element, it’s located at the top of the oven.
– Use your screwdriver to remove the screws holding the element in place.
– Gently pull the element forward to expose the wires connected to its terminals.
3. Disconnect the Wires
– Carefully disconnect the wires from the element terminals.
– Take a photo or label the wires so you remember where to reconnect them later.
4. Inspect the Element Visually
Look closely for any obvious signs of damage such as:
– Burn marks or blisters
– Cracks or breaks in the coil
– Any discoloration or corrosion
If you see any of these, the element likely needs replacement.
5. Set Up Your Multimeter
– Turn your multimeter dial to the ohms (Ω) setting, usually the lowest range (e.g., 200 ohms).
– If your multimeter has manual range selection, choose the lowest resistance range.
6. Test for Continuity
– Place the element on an insulating surface (like a wooden table or rubber mat).
– Touch one probe of the multimeter to one terminal of the element and the other probe to the other terminal.
– Check the reading on the multimeter display.
7. Interpret the Results
– A good oven element typically shows a resistance reading between 19 and 115 ohms, depending on the oven model and element wattage.
– A reading of 0 ohms or very close to zero usually means a short circuit.
– An infinite or no reading (often shown as “OL” on digital meters) means the element is broken or has an open circuit.
– If the reading is outside the expected range, it’s time to replace the element.
8. Test for Ground Fault (Optional)
– Place one probe on the element’s metal surface and the other probe on one of the terminals.
– If the multimeter shows continuity, the element is grounded (shorted) and should be replaced.
9. Reassemble and Test
– If the element passes the test, reconnect the wires according to your labels or photos.
– Screw the element back into place.
– Restore power and preheat the oven to check if it heats properly.
Tips for a Successful Test
– Always double-check that the oven is unplugged before you start.
– Use a digital multimeter for easier reading.
– If your oven element looks damaged, replacing it without testing can save time.
– Clean the oven before testing if it’s very dirty, as grime can affect performance.
– If the element tests fine but the oven still doesn’t heat, the problem might be with other parts like the thermostat or control board.
Testing your oven element is a simple and effective way to diagnose heating problems. With just a multimeter and a screwdriver, you can save money and get your oven back to perfect cooking temperature quickly. Give it a try before calling a repair person!
Your oven element is key to great cooking-make sure it’s working right with this easy test!