How to Replace the Baking Coil in an Electric Oven

By
Timothy Thiele
Timothy Thiele

Timothy Thiele has an associate degree in electronics and is an IBEW Local #176 Union Electrician with over 30 years of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial wiring.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 07/13/22
Reviewed by
Larry Campbell
Larry Campbell
Reviewed by Larry Campbell
Larry Campbell is an electrical contractor with 36 years of experience in residential and light commercial electrical wiring. He worked as an electronic technician and later as an engineer for the IBM Corp. He is also a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Baking coil in electric oven being replaced by hand

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $25-40

An oven heating element is an essential, simple part that is easy to replace in most electric ovens and ranges. These are the parts responsible for creating the heat necessary for baking and broiling—they do their job simply by heating up as electric current passes through them. When they stop heating, the solution is usually to replace the heating element. 

Ovens typically have two elements: one at the top for broiling, and one at the bottom for baking. The baking element usually has metal feet and simply rests on the oven floor. It connects to the back wall of the oven with a plate or bracket held by a couple of screws. Behind the plate, two metal prongs connect to two wires inside the oven. The wires typically have female spade connectors that slide onto the element's prongs. The design is simple and easy for a homeowner to replace.

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
  • On the frame below the door, when the bottom drawer is pulled out
  • Under a burner on an electric cooktop, if the burners are removable
  • Under the cooktop cover, if it can be lifted up
  • On, or in, the vent duct on models with down-draft venting

Before You Begin

Make sure all of the oven or range controls are OFF. Unplug the appliance at the wall outlet. On freestanding ranges, the cord is usually accessible if you remove the bottom drawer completely and reach through the drawer cavity from the front.

On hardwired ranges and ovens (or if you can't reach the cord), turn off the appliance's circuit breaker in your home's circuit breaker box. It will be a double-pole breaker, typically labeled for 30, 40, or 50 amps. You must test the wires to confirm the power is off before touching them.

Electric oven plug being disconnected from wall outlet

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Non-contact voltage tester
  • Screwdriver
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • Nut driver
  • Electrical or masking tape (if needed)

Materials

  • Replacement baking coil (specific to oven model)

Instructions

Materials and tools to replace a baking coil in an electric oven

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  1. Remove the Heating Element Mounting Plate

    The first step is to locate the baking heating element and the bracket that holds it in place at the bottom rear of the oven. 

    Open the oven door and remove all of the oven racks. Locate the mounting plate or bracket at the rear of the faulty bake element. Remove the screws securing the plate to the oven wall, using a screwdriver or nut driver.

    Tip

    Some elements connect to the oven in two places. In this case, each end of the element will have its own mounting plate and each end will connect to a wire inside the oven. 


    Heating mounting plate bracket being unscrewed with screwdriver

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Test for Electrical Current

    Gently pull the heating element and mounting bracket away from the back wall of the oven. Slide the element toward you a couple of inches, so you can see the wires connected to the element. The wires may be surrounded by insulation, which may pull out a bit—don't worry, this is normal.

    Confirm that the circuit power is off by touching the probe of a non-contact voltage tester to each of the wire ends. There should be no voltage present. If the tester detects any voltage, you have not shut off the correct breaker. Return to the electrical service panel to turn off the correct breaker, then test the oven wires again. 

    Non-contact voltage tester checking the electrical current after pulling out heating element

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Disconnect the Heating Element

    Carefully disconnect each spade wire connector from the heating element. You may be able to pull them off with your fingers, or you can use needle-nose pliers. Pull only on the metal connector; never pull on the wire itself, or you risk damaging it or separating it from its connector.

    Make sure each wire cannot slip back into the oven housing before releasing your hold on it. If necessary, temporarily tape the wires to the oven wall with electrical tape or masking tape.

    Remove the old heating element from the oven. 

    Heating element disconnected with needle-nose pliers pulling out the metal connector

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Install the New Heating Element

    Install the new oven element by sliding each wire connector onto one of the element probes. Use pliers, if necessary, to force the wire connectors onto the probes and make sure they are fully inserted. 

    Slide the element into place so the mounting bracket is against the oven wall and the screw holes are aligned. 

    New heating element installed by sliding wire connectors into the element probes

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  5. Reattach the Mounting Plate and Test the Oven

    Secure the element's mounting plate to the back wall of the oven with the mounting screws. Make sure the screws are firmly anchored. 

    Plug the oven into the wall outlet or turn on the circuit breaker to restore power to the oven. Turn the oven to BAKE to check the new element for proper operation. It should glow with a consistent bright-orange color while heating.  

    If you removed the bottom drawer, slide it back into place. Return the oven racks to the oven.

    Mounting plate reattached to back of oven wall with mounting screws

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris