If you need to replace your oven’s element, you’re in the right place.

Most oven heating elements last quite a few years, but just like any other appliance part, eventually they wear out or can break if something falls onto them.

No need to panic. Thankfully, replacing your oven’s element is a simple repair to make, as you only need a screwdriver.

Before we get into the steps to replace your element, it’s a good idea that you make sure that the heating element actually needs to be replaced and your oven not working is not due to another faulty part.

The easiest way to test your oven element is to first inspect it for any signs of damage or “blistering,” and if there is no obvious damage, turn your oven on and check if the element heats up (it should become bright red).  

You can also isolate the bake element from any power source and check for 10-50 ohms of resistance at the terminals of the element.  If outside of that range, the element is either open or shorted and needs to be replaced.  

Once you’re sure the element needs to be replaced, your first task is to order the correct replacement part. Most of the online and offline appliance parts retailers have the major makes and models of oven parts in stock, and a replacement heating element isn’t usually overly expensive.

Once you have your replacement element, it is time to remove the old element and install the new one. You can do that by following our step-by-step guide below.  The following steps are generalized and can vary by model and brand.  Steps cover replacing an exposed bake element.  

Get Prepared

Before you remove the broken element, there are a few safety precautions you need to undertake.

1. Unplug your oven from the power socket, or if that’s not possible, you can flick the circuit breaker that powers your oven off.
2. Remove the oven racks from the oven.
3. In some ovens, there is a base cover that protects the heating element. If your oven has one of these, it will need to be removed. Sometimes they are kept in place with a few screws, which will need to be unthreaded so that you can remove the cover.
4. Once the racks and the base cover are removed, you need to put on a pair of safety glasses and gloves before you start removing the heating element.

Remove the Old Oven Element

1. To remove the old element, unthread the screws that hold it in place. Most ovens have a couple of clips that go over the element and are secured in place with a couple of screws. Once you’ve removed the screws, you need to put them somewhere safe, as you’ll need them for when you install the new element.
2. You can now pull the heating element away from the wall slightly and remove the wires that are connected to it. Make sure you don’t let the wires fall back into the back of the oven, as you need to reattach them to the new element.
3. Once the wires are safely removed from the element, you can remove it from the oven and place it out of the way.

Install the New Oven Element

Now that you’ve (hopefully) successfully removed the old element, it’s time to install the new one.

1. Take the new element out of the packaging.
2. Reattach the wires to your new element in the same positions as the old ones were.
3. Place the element into the correct position, and then reattach the covers and the screws that hold them in place.
4. That’s it! Your new heating element should now be connected up and correctly positioned.
5. Before you put the element cover back in, you will need to test your new element out.

Test the New Oven Element

1. To test your new heating element, turn the circuit breaker back on or plug your oven back into the power socket.
2. Turn your oven on and set the temperature up high. While your oven heats up, you might see a little bit of smoke coming off the element; this is just the factory protective coating burning off and isn’t something to worry about.
3. If your new oven element is working, it should heat your oven up to the temperature you set and be bright red. If your oven isn’t hot or isn’t hot enough, then this means the heating element wasn’t the only faulty component, and you’ll need to get a qualified technician to come and find the cause of the problem.
4. If the heating element is working correctly, you can reattach the cover by placing it back into position and securing it in place.
5. Finally, you can put the racks back into the oven, and it will now be good to go!