Did you just find out your oven’s heating element is broken? Buying a new oven can be very expensive in this tough economy, but do not fret! Have you considered using the oven despite the broken element?
Lucky for you, you can use an oven with a broken element! But it does have its caveats. Read on to learn more about using an oven with broken parts.
Can You Use an Oven with a Broken Element?
An oven with a broken element will work, but it is very hazardous and definitely won’t work all the time. If you insist on using the oven while the heating element is broken, you risk getting a bad electric shock.
You should probably be able to use the stove tops if the heating element is all that’s broken. Not to mention, cooking with an oven with a broken element is inefficient. It will take longer for food to warm up inside and often too long. You should repair or replace the broken heating elements before using your oven.
Causes of Damaging the Heating Element in the Oven?
Heating elements being damaged is a real thing. The heating elements are subjected to heat and expand when you use the oven. When the oven is not used, the heating element cools down and shrinks.
With this continuous cycle of expanding and shrinking, the heating element starts wearing out over time.
As a result, you may see your oven heating element break for no good reason. Another reason for heating elements to wear out very quickly is overheating. If your oven’s thermostat is not working properly, and it does not turn the oven off even after reaching the maximum temperature, the heating element will wear out soon.
Dangers of Using an Oven with a Broken Element?
An oven with a broken element can be very hazardous to the user. If you are changing the broken element, then make sure to disconnect from the power outlet before you touch the element because usually, when the oven is running, two wires carry 120 volts connected to the wire and when the oven is switched off, only one of the wire disconnects.
So, if you touch it while plugged in, then you will give yourself a bad shock. Suppose you use the oven despite the element being broken. In that case, you also risk food catching on fire if it comes in contact with the element.
Signs that Indicate that Your Heating Element of the Oven is Broken?
There are many signs of a broken element in an oven. If you frequently observe that uncooked foods aren’t cooked correctly in the oven, then that’s a good sign there’s something wrong with the oven, usually the heating element.
When the oven starts cooking, the heating element should be bright red or orange usually, but if you see that the heating element has different shades of color on it while the oven is running, then that is also a clear sign that the oven is heating element is not functioning properly.
This may also result in a spike in your electricity bill, and a broken element of an oven may need more energy to cook the food or become inefficient with wear and tear oven usage.
How to Fix Oven Broken Element?
Find a compatible heating element
If you want to fix your heating element, you first need to find a compatible heating element that will work with your oven. Usually, you can find the heating elements for your oven from the manufacturer. Still, there are also alternatives to acquiring them.
Ensure safety
Once you find a heating element that will work with your oven, you need to prepare yourself for the task ahead by ensuring you are safe. Be sure to unplug the oven before you start the replacement process and ground yourself before touching the broken heating element inside.
Remove the clutter
Before reaching the heating element, you need to remove the oven racks. While you remove them, cleaning them as you are at it is a great opportunity. Once the racks are removed, gently use a screwdriver to unscrew the brackets holding the heating element to the oven. After that, slightly pull the heating element outwards, revealing its connection to the oven’s power supply.
Disconnecting from the power supply
Depending on the model of your oven, you will have to either screw the heating element out or pull it out, removing the heating element from the oven.
Connecting the new heating element
Simply push in or screw in (Depending on the model) the new heating element and backtrack all the steps mentioned above. You will have successfully repaired your oven!
Best Bottom Heating Element for the Oven?
There are many amazing heating elements on the market right now, but the best heating element could be many, depending on your wants. It can depend on the price performance, efficiency, compatibility, etc.
If you find yourself in the market for heating elements, here’s what you’ll find:
- PTC
This material is a type of ceramic that is used to make heating elements. It is efficient and resistant to very high temperatures and should last a long time.
- Wire
This is a very common heating element and the cheapest one. It is made up of nichrome and chromium. However, it is not very efficient but resistant to overheating.
- Quartz
If your oven uses an infrared heating element, this one is what you are looking for. Infrared elements work differently than a normal heating element.
- Aluminum
Aluminum is the next best material after ceramic. They are cheaper and, while not as energy-efficient, can still provide satisfactory results.
- Ceramic
Ceramic heating elements are one of the best materials for the job. They are efficient, and long-lasting, and the only downside is their price.
FAQs:
Q. Can an oven element catch fire?
If the oven element comes in contact with the food inside, it is a big potential fire hazard. It is best not to use an oven where the heating element comes in contact with the oven contents.
Q. Can you use an oven with a broken glass door?
Oven doors usually consist of layered glass, so if it gets broken, then using the oven can make the outer glass of the door crack too, creating a safety hazard. So, it is recommended not to use an oven with a broken door.
Q. Why is my oven element glowing in one spot?
Suppose the element is glowing in one spot. In that case, only that area gets the proper electricity supply during operation. If it’s glowing while the oven is not in use, then your oven may have a short circuit.
Conclusion:
Hopefully, this will help you consider if you want to use an oven with a broken heating element. If you liked what you read here, share this article with all your friends, especially those who cook!
