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Electric Range Burner Temperature Control Troubleshooting

Cameron Easey

Burners on an electrical range are controlled by dials that adjust the heat. The heating element on electrical ranges is a metal coil that is heated by an electrical current. When there is a temperature control issue with a burner, determine which burner is not heating correctly, then troubleshoot to correct the problem.

Test Heating Element

Burners on electrical stoves can have metal coils
  1. Lift up on the metal coil or heating element and pull it out of the receptacle block on the range. Examine the terminals of the heating element and see if they are dirty or corroded.

  2. Clean the terminals of the heating element with a wire brush or steel wool. If you do not have a metal brush or steel wool, use sandpaper to clean the terminals.

  3. Wipe any remaining residue off of the terminals with a damp cloth.

  4. Insert the heating element back into the stove. Turn the dial for the burner on and see if the heating element now works correctly.

Checking Connections

  1. Verify that all of the terminals on the burners or heating elements are properly connected to the receptacle block on the stove. If a heating element is loose it will not heat properly.

  2. Check the power cord and make sure that it is plugged into the electrical outlet.

  3. Turn the switch to the burner of and then back on the "low" setting. If the burner heats to high when on the low setting the contacts in the switch are bad. You will need to install a new switch to correct the problem.