How many heating elements are in an oven?

Author: Layne Wiegand  |  Last update: Thursday, December 25, 2025

Many electric ranges, wall ovens and countertop ovens have two heating elements, a baking element at the bottom that provides heating for most settings and a broil element at the top that generates high temps for tasks like searing meats, melting cheese and toasting breads.

How many elements are there in an oven?

Working of an Electric Oven

The electric oven consists of a control board, temperature sensor, broil element, and bake element.

How do I know if my oven element is blown?

The element has blown. There are bright spots or uneven patches on the element when the cooker is in use. The oven trips the electricity when the element is turned on but may work using another i.e. Grill.

Is it worth replacing the heating element in the oven?

If the person using the oven is happy with it, then YES is is worth repairing. The problem may be something very simple and easy to repair. A new heating coil for the oven will only be a small percentage of the price of a new oven. Even if it is something more, it will probably be cheaper to repair.

Do all ovens have two heating elements?

Conventional ovens feature heating elements on the top and bottom of the oven cavity. Convection ovens have these elements in addition to a fan that helps circulate hot air throughout the oven cavity. This can help dishes placed on different racks bake at a similar rate.

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

Why do new ovens not have bottom elements?

Like the Hidden Bake element, the interior conceals the lower oven element to eliminate hard-to-reach areas that collect food and spills and is easy to clean. This also makes the oven cavity seamless.

Can I replace the oven 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.

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.

How do I know if my lower heating element is bad in my oven?

Conclusion. If you think your oven's heating element is broken, look for signs outlined above—dirty appliance, visible damages, an element that's no longer bright orange, uncooked or half-cooked food, and an increase in the electrical bill. All these indicate that it's time to have your oven's heating element replaced.

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

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.

How much does it cost to replace a heating element in the oven?

Common electric oven issues and repair prices
  1. Replacing the heating element: £80-£170.
  2. Thermostat replacement: £50 - £150.
  3. Fan replacement: £75 - £130.
  4. Bulb replacement: £30 - £50.

How to tell if thermostat or element is bad in oven?

Make sure the multimeter is calibrated and then turn the dial to the lowest ohm rating. Place the multimeter on the thermostat. If the thermostat has a reading of zero or as close to zero as possible, it is working fine. However, if it has no reading at all, your oven thermostat is faulty and will need replacing.

Why do oven elements fail?

The metal 'spirals' that form the oven element can expand by as much as 10mm when they are fully heated. This constant expansion and retraction can play a huge part in the wear and tear of the element, and eventually lead to them being unable to function correctly.

How do I know which oven element I need?

You can buy a replacement oven element through the oven manufacturer or through online appliance parts retailers. All you need is the appliance's model number, which should be printed on a metal plate that's located in one of several places: On the oven door jamb, at the top, sides, or bottom, when the door is open.

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.

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!

How much does it cost to replace an element in an electric oven?

Cost to replace heating element in 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.

Can an oven last 20 years?

How Long Do Ovens Typically Last? A wall oven or range typically lasts about 16 years if it's properly maintained. Even though oven lifespan varies, you may reasonably expect that your oven will work for more than a decade—even two decades on the higher end of the spectrum.

Do you need an electrician to change an oven element?

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

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.

How many heating elements does an oven have?

Many electric ranges, wall ovens and countertop ovens have two heating elements, a baking element at the bottom that provides heating for most settings and a broil element at the top that generates high temps for tasks like searing meats, melting cheese and toasting breads.

How do I find a replacement oven element?

If it's possible, take note of the element's part number, which can be found in the manual or on a digital parts list. The packaging on the oven heating element replacement will list the manufacturer, model number and part number it replaces.

What type of oven is best?

Do I need a single or double oven? 'If you need increased cooking capacity and the ability to cook a wide variety of dishes at the same time, then a double oven is perfect,' recommends Po. 'Single ovens take up less space and offer the consumer more choice in terms of price, design and innovation. '

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