I’ve got a bog-standard oven in my kitchen, and the lower element has burned out.
Is this something that I can easily and safely replace myself?
Yes, it’s plug & play. At least it was in the oven that came with my (2000) model trailer. I just had to make sure I had the right kind of screwdriver (the hex head, I think, for ours), turn off the breaker, and from there it was easy. And I am not mechanical.
Very honestly, I’ve found YouTube videos showing how to do this sort of thing very useful. Being able to see it done just helps for me.
Piece of cake!
Thanks!
Do have to wonder if there’s something else wrong when the “burnout” includes this:
No. That’s what happens.
Usually, you’ll notice a bright spot in the element before that happens. But if not: that.
The elements are usually made easy to remove for cleaning. You may not even need a screwdriver… Just lift out of the front brackets and unplug.
GE brand oven elements have two 1/4" drive screws holding the element in place, and the two 1/4" drive screws for the two electrical leads … wise to unplug the stove or throw the breaker … but an easy DIY repair.
It is easy for me, but I am “mechanical”. For some other people, it could be an impossible job…
That happened to mine. Not quite a fire, but the thing was glowing and smoking. By the time I turned it off, it snapped right apart like Mister Rik’s picture. I still haven’t replaced mine. They don’t have them in stock at Home Depot; I haven’t checked Lowe’s yet.
I’ve used this site on a number of occasions. I won’t say they have everything, but if your appliance was made by any of the major brands, chances are they have the part you’re looking for.
I’ve replaced the lower oven element twice over the years. Quite an easy job.
For info on part nos. and how-tos, I use ApplianceAid.
Once I have the part no, I look it up on Amazon and eBay to find a (cheaper) seller.
Exactly what happened to mine. Never noticed the aforementioned “bright spot” until I looked in to see how the biscuits were doing and there it was, a bright spot with a little flame starting (could see sparking). Turned off oven, but it just kept on sparking/burning. Couldn’t move the oven the unplug it, so turned off the breaker. I also had to order my element - had a week of crockpot meals while I waited on it to arrive.
Yes, quite easy to do. I did it, when in my mid-60’s and walking with a cane.
Hardest parts were:
- moving the stove out from the wall to unplug it. And then having to clean the floor back there.
- finding the screw heads under all the crud baked onto the back of the oven.
- reaching all the way to the back of the oven, while the open oven door is in your way, to unscrew them. In the dark, because the oven light is off.
Still, nothing technical or skilled involved. Just tedious & annoying.
Moving the stove isn’t required if you flip the circuit breakers.
I always unplug appliances before working on them. That way you guarantee that there’s no problem like you flipped the wrong breaker or someone screwed up the wiring in your house at some point.
Virtually the same thing as the OP happened to my oven. The only difference was that the element burned through in a different location. I found a cheapie replacement on Amazon. It wasn’t as sturdy as the original element but at the price I paid for it I’d have to go through half a dozen of them to equal the cost of one official GE replacement part. So far it’s lasted almost as long as the original and it’s still going strong, so no complaints. I may have just gotten lucky though. Who knows.
The only trick with mine was that after I unscrewed the two screws, there was nothing holding the electrical connector in place and it dropped down a bit. I had to fish it out with a pair of needle nose pliers. I suppose I could have taken the back of the oven off if I had to, but it was easy enough to pull the connector out with pliers. Other than fiddling with the electrical connector a bit, it was a very easy job.
… at 350*F for 45-50 minutes …