Can you use an oven with a broken heating element?

Author: Hoyt Schinner  |  Last update: Thursday, September 25, 2025

The heating element will stop working. The sparking ceases after a few seconds. There may also be a "burning plastic" odor at this time. We recommend that you not use the oven if the bake or broil element fails.

Can I still use my oven if the heating element is broken?

Most times, but not every time. If the bottom element (ie bake ) works, then you can use it. If it has sparks, unplug it fast, and call a professional to check it.

What happens when an oven heating element breaks?

Loss of Heating: The most immediate effect is that the oven will no longer heat up properly. If the element is the only source of heat (as in many electric ovens), the oven will be unable to reach the desired temperature.

Can you use an oven without the element?

You can , but you will get very uneven heating. All the heat will come from the top. It may cause burning of food near the top of the oven. Be sure to heat the oven up well before you use it.

Can a faulty heating element cause a fire?

This paper will expand on NFPA 921 (2014) Section 26.5. 7 describing various heating element failures as the root cause of not only fires but also personal injury (e.g., burns, electrocution) and water losses. Common causes and failure modes of heating elements, from case studies and literature, are presented.

Oven Won’t Heat? Bake/Broil Element Testing, Troubleshooting

How do I know if the heating element in my oven is broken?

  1. Visible damages. The most apparent signs the heating element is broken are visible damages. ...
  2. Dirty oven. With constant use and abuse, your kitchen range becomes dirty over time. ...
  3. No longer bright orange. ...
  4. Uncooked or half-cooked food. ...
  5. An increase in the electrical bill. ...
  6. Conclusion.

What causes an oven element to catch fire?

In some rare instances the element will "short-out" against the sheath which is the outer visible part of the element surface. This will cause the sheath to rupture and sparks may occur for a few seconds.

Can I replace my oven heating element myself?

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.

Will my oven still work if the light is broken?

Technically, yes your oven should still get hot if your light has stopped working. However, it will make your life considerably more difficult. You won't be able to identify whether or not your appliance is on, and you won't be able to tell when your food is cooked as easily!

Does an oven use both elements?

The broil setting uses broil elements only. Both the elements are used in the bake setting, and the bake element generates most of the heat. A convection oven fan circulates the heat all around the oven to bake or cook the food evenly.

Is it expensive to replace a heating element in an oven?

The cost to replace a heating element in an oven is $150 to $450. A new heating element for an oven costs $15 to $100 for the part alone. Ovens have 2 heating elements, the baking coil, and the broil element.

What is the life expectancy of an oven heating element?

As an estimate, most cooker elements should last for about 5 years. Of course, this is dependent on the health and overall quality of your oven; the better your oven, the longer its parts should last.

Is it easy to fix a heating element in an oven?

Replacing a broken element isn't too complicated, but it can be tricky working in such a small space. Before you begin, you'll need to turn the power off to your oven. Then, take out the old element by unscrewing it and detaching the wires running into it.

Is it worth replacing an oven element?

If you have oven issues, it's worth investigating the heating element as a potential culprit, but a broken heating element doesn't always signal the end of your oven's life. Spotting the signs of a faulty element early allows you to fix the issue with a simple replacement, saving time and money.

What to do if the element breaks in the oven?

Remove the Oven Bake Element or Broil Element
  1. Step 1: Disconnect the Power. Turn off the power to the oven at the breaker box and unplug the oven.
  2. Step 2: Remove the Oven Element Mounting Screws. ...
  3. Step 3: Disconnect the Wiring. ...
  4. Step 4: Install the Oven Element Replacement.

What causes heating element to break?

Faulty Wiring: Problems with the wiring within your furnace can cause inadequate amounts of electrical power to your heating element, causing it to burn out in. Corrosion: Corrosion on a heating element is not a serious problem at first, but can later cause small cracks which cause burn out.

How do I know if my oven element is broken?

The most common problem with oven elements is when the oven light and fan come on but the oven element won't heat up at all. This is the classic sign that the element needs replacing.

What would cause an oven to not heat up?

WHAT CAUSES AN OVEN NOT TO HEAT UP?
  • OVEN DOOR MIGHT NOT BE FULLY CLOSED. ...
  • HEATING ELEMENT MAY BE MALFUNCTIONING. ...
  • CIRCUIT BREAKER MAY HAVE BLOWN A FUSE. ...
  • OVEN MAY BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. ...
  • CONTROL PANEL MAY BE LOCKED. ...
  • TEMPERATURE SENSOR MAY BE BROKEN.

Will an oven work if the thermostat is broken?

An often fault that causes electric ovens to produce no heat entirely is when the thermostat or selector switch has become burnt out. If the thermostat or selector switch burns out and stops working then so will your oven.

What happens when an oven element burns out?

A common reason for this is that oven element burning has occurred. Due to the hot temperatures within the oven cavity, it isn't unusual for it to burn out while enduring the high temperatures. Without a fully functioning oven element, your oven will be unable to heat up and this means your oven is useless for cooking!

What happens when a heating element fails?

If the element is malfunctioning, it might pull too much electricity. This could cause your breaker to short circuit, tripping and cutting power to the water heater. So, if your circuit breaker trips every time your water heater kicks on, check the heating element for problems.

Do you need an electrician to change an oven element?

Electric oven heating element replacement is a surprisingly simply DIY fix.

Why does my oven element smell like its burning?

There is often a burning smell on new elements as grease is burnt off the surface, this soon clears. If the element is regularly getting red it suggests there may be a fan motor problem as the air flow should cool it a little and if it overheats it can fail again.

Can I use my oven if it sparked?

Answer: If sparks are visible inside the oven, immediately discontinue use and shut the unit off at the circuit breaker.

What to do if your oven catches on fire?

An oven fire can be dangerous, but there are things you can safely do to prevent a disaster.
  1. Step 1: Leave the Oven Closed. ...
  2. Step 2: Turn the Oven Off. ...
  3. Step 3: Grab Your Extinguisher. ...
  4. Step 4: If the Fire Is Out, Ventilate Your Home. ...
  5. Step 5: If the Fire Isn't Out—Call Emergency Services.

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