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Electric stovetops have revolutionized the way we cook and live. With precision temperature control, nearly instant surface heat and simple cleanup, the cooking process became much easier and more enjoyable.
Most people use stovetops on a daily basis and do not worry about how they work until the moment when something goes wrong. If the appliance stopped working properly, it is better to schedule an appointment with professional appliance repair technician as troubleshooting and repairing the unit by yourself can be very dangerous.
Here is a list of the most common stovetop problems and parts that might be at fault. It will help you to find the reason why your appliance is not working properly.
| # | Potential problem | Parts that might need to be replaced |
| 1. | Surface element not working | Burned out surface element Damaged element receptacle Defective surface element switch Loose or burnt wire connection |
| 2. | Surface element won’t turn off | Defective surface element switch |
| 3. | Electric stove won’t adjust heat | Faulty infinite switch Faulty internal ignition switch |
| 4. | Stovetop creates sparks when turned on | Damaged heating element Loose wire connection |
| 5. | Surface element heating intermittently | Damage or corrosion where the element terminals connect with the receptacle |
| 6. | Surface element overheating | Defective surface element switch |
Like most appliances, stovetops are fairly simple machines, which have two common styles of heating elements: a conventional coil and a radiant coil.
Each element is controlled by its own switch. Not all stovetops look the same but they operate on the similar principles. You can find the explanation how an electric stovetop works below, as well as potential problems you may encounter.
The stovetop operates by using 240 V of AC through two legs of voltage each carrying 120 V. When the selector knob is turned to a heat setting, the switch allows the first leg of voltage to travel to one side of the heating element and the second leg of voltage to travel to the opposite side. When the voltage reaches the heating element, the circuit is closed and the element begins to heat. The switch regulates the heating element. When the element reaches the designated temperature, the switch shuts off the voltage. This cycle repeats throughout the cooking process to maintain the proper temperature. A radiant coil has a built-in limiter that monitors the stovetop surface temperature. This can cause the heating element to cycle on and off more frequently than a conventional coil element.
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Common problems that occur with an electric stovetop include:
- Elements not heating
- Elements heating intermittently
- Elements overheating.
If you have checked all the problems with stovetops above and didn’t find the one, which relates to your appliance, you are welcome to take a look at other issues that may occur here.
According to the research, cooking fires are the primary cause of residential fires in the U.S. Follow these safety tips to prevent the kitchen fires:
- Make sure there are no food particles or grease residue on the stovetop as they can ignite and cause a fire
- Never leave cooking unattended
- Do not leave an empty pan on a hot burner
- Keep a fire extinguisher, baking soda, and metal lids nearby to put out the fire quickly
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