How to Change the Coils in Your Electric Oven

If you own an electric oven for any length of time, sooner or later due to constant use they’ll need to be changed. Coils will fail at the most inopportune time, usually when preheating or cooking. An indication they’re reached or are near their demise is a popping sound when the stove is in use, or billowing smoke that pours out from the oven.

If your oven is in use and you encounter this problem, turn the oven off immediately or flip the breaker switch—whichever is more convenient. The last thing you want is for a fire to start and spin out of control.

Changing our your stove’s heating element/coil is not difficult a job, but you’ll need a few tools before you begin the operation:

Step 1 - Disconnect Stove Power Source

Unplug the stove from the wall, or, if the wall socket is not easily reachable, find the corresponding circuit breaker box and turn off the stove at that location.

Step 2 - Determine Coil Removal Method

In this step you’ll have to spend a little time examining how the coil is attached to the stove. Most stove models will allow you to lift the coil from the side that is closest to either the right or left side of the stove. Use your flashlight if needed to locate exactly where the coil connects.

Step 3 - Remove the Coil

After examining how the coil is attached, go ahead and pull the coil outward. You’ll find two prongs (contacts) connected to a receptacle. This will be the mounting plate at the back of the wall. If it’s secured by hex-heads, six-sided nuts, go ahead and use your nut driver to remove them. Pull the contacts as they should slide out with little difficulty.

A trip to the hardware store is in order to find the correct coil replacement parts. Spend a little time cleaning up and refreshing the inside of the stove. With the coil removed, you should be able to get to the slightly hard-to-reach areas.

Step 4 - Insert Replacement Coil

Now you’re ready to install the replacement coil by inserting its contacts into the stove’s receptacle ports. Press firmly to seat the contacts. Having attached the contacts, you can now lower the new coil into position and jiggle it around until it’s in the proper position to be seated.

Replace the mounting plate and screw the six-sided nuts back in with your nut driver. Be careful when replacing the screw not to cross-thread any of them.

Step 5 - Turn the Oven On

You’re almost done. Turn the oven for several minutes to see if the new coil will heat up. If you smell an odor don’t be too alarmed. The trace material located on the outside of the new coil is likely the source. Don’t fret. This material will quickly burn itself off during the first use of your electric stove.