What to Do When Your Oven Element Fails
An oven element failure is one of the most common appliance faults Australian households face. The symptoms are usually obvious: the oven doesn’t heat up, or heats unevenly, or you can see physical damage to the element. Here’s a practical guide to diagnosing the problem, deciding whether to repair or replace, and what to do next.
Signs Your Oven Element Has Failed
- Oven turns on but doesn’t reach temperature (or takes far too long)
- Visible burn marks, blistering, cracks or breaks on the element
- Element glows bright red in one section and not at all in others
- Element produces sparks or smoke
- Oven trips the circuit breaker when turned on
- Food consistently undercooked or unevenly cooked
Which Element Has Failed?
Electric ovens typically have two or three elements: a bottom/bake element, a top/grill element, and a fan element (in fan-forced models, located at the rear behind the fan). Check which function has stopped working to identify which element needs replacement.
Can You Replace an Oven Element Yourself?
In most cases, yes — oven elements are designed to be user-replaceable. The process for most models:
- Turn off the power to the oven at the circuit breaker (not just the oven switch)
- Allow the oven to cool completely
- Remove the oven racks
- Remove the screws or clips holding the element in place (usually 2 screws at the rear mounting plate)
- Gently pull the element forward to expose the terminal connectors
- Take note of or photograph the wire connections before removing them
- Disconnect the wires from the element terminals
- Insert the new element, reconnect the wires, and reverse the removal steps
Replacement elements for most popular oven brands (Westinghouse, Electrolux, Fisher & Paykel, Chef) are available from appliance parts suppliers and can be sourced by your oven’s model number. The repair typically costs $50–$150 in parts.
When to Call a Technician
Call a technician if: the oven uses gas (never DIY gas appliance work), the wiring beyond the element appears damaged, the control board has failed (not just the element), you’re not comfortable working with electrical components, or the oven is under warranty (a DIY repair may void the warranty).
Repair vs Replace: When Does a New Oven Make More Sense?
An element replacement on an oven under 10 years old is almost always worth doing — the cost is low and the oven has years of life remaining. Consider replacing the oven if: it’s more than 12–15 years old, the repair cost exceeds 40–50% of a comparable new oven’s price, there are multiple faults (not just the element), or it’s a freestanding cooker where upgrading would significantly improve your kitchen.
Shop Ovens at Oceania Appliances
If your oven is beyond economical repair, we stock a wide range of built-in ovens and freestanding cookers from Westinghouse, Fisher & Paykel, AEG, Electrolux, ILVE and Smeg. Free delivery across Sydney. Visit 2/14 Centre Place, Wetherill Park, call or WhatsApp 0422 489 492, or email support@oceaniaappliances.com.au. Open 7 days, 10am–8pm.