Electric Stove

[Dottie]

I have a mostly still good electric range with burners on the top - not the new flat top kind. Anyway, one of the elements came loose from the part t hat holds it together so I ordered a new one. Now I have a problem of a di fferent kind. When I turn it on high to heat it up, its o.k., but when I l ower the temp .. it sometimes stays on high. Other times, I start it on me dium heat and it will go to high... and sometimes it works just fine. My q uestion is -- is the problem with the element or is it with the stove where the connection is? I hate to have to buy a new stove but I am a little wa ry about it now. What if someone who doesn't know about the problem turns it on? Everything else is o.k.

[trader4]

he new flat top kind.  Anyway, one of the elements came loose from the pa rt that holds it together so I ordered a new one.  Now I have a problem o f a different kind.  When I turn it on high to heat it up, its o.k., but when I lower the temp .. it sometimes stays on high.  Other times, I star t it on medium heat and it will go to high... and sometimes it works just f ine.  My question is -- is the problem with the element or is it with the stove where the connection is?  I hate to have to buy a new stove but I am a little wary about it now.  What if someone who doesn't know about th e problem turns it on?  Everything else is o.k.

It sounds like the switch that controls it is shot. Those switches just have a thermal element in them so that when you select something less than 100%, it starts to cycle the heating element on and off. If you have the control set at low and it;s on high, I don't see how that could happen except that the switch/control is shot.

[David L. Martel]

Dottie,

I agree with trader, the surface element switch is going bad. Not hard to replace, if you are handy. $20-$50?.

Dave M.

[harry]

he new flat top kind.  Anyway, one of the elements came loose from the pa rt that holds it together so I ordered a new one.  Now I have a problem o f a different kind.  When I turn it on high to heat it up, its o.k., but when I lower the temp .. it sometimes stays on high.  Other times, I star t it on medium heat and it will go to high... and sometimes it works just f ine.  My question is -- is the problem with the element or is it with the stove where the connection is?  I hate to have to buy a new stove but I am a little wary about it now.  What if someone who doesn't know about th e problem turns it on?  Everything else is o.k.

The switch. It has a device that turns the hot plate on and off on a regular cycle adjusted by the knob. We call them simmerstats in the UK.

[RBM]

new flat top kind. Anyway, one of the elements came loose from the part that holds it together so I ordered a new one. Now I have a problem of a different kind. When I turn it on high to heat it up, its o.k., but when I lower the temp .. it sometimes stays on high. Other times, I start it on medium heat and it will go to high... and sometimes it works just fine. My question is -- is the problem with the element or is it with the stove where the connection is? I hate to have to buy a new stove but I am a little wary about it now. What if someone who doesn't know about the problem turns it on? Everything else is o.k.

We call them infinite heat switches in the U.S.

[trader4]

t the new flat top kind.  Anyway, one of the elements came loose from the part that holds it together so I ordered a new one.  Now I have a proble m of a different kind.  When I turn it on high to heat it up, its o.k., b ut when I lower the temp .. it sometimes stays on high.  Other times, I s tart it on medium heat and it will go to high... and sometimes it works jus t fine.  My question is -- is the problem with the element or is it with the stove where the connection is?  I hate to have to buy a new stove but I am a little wary about it now.  What if someone who doesn't know about the problem turns it on?  Everything else is o.k.

Sounds like the solution to our energy problems.

[Stormin Mormon]

Sounds like the solution to our energy problems.

[nestork]

Add my name to the "It's a bad switch" column.

[krw]

We don't need to rewrite thermodynamics to do that. Just shoot all liberals and the problem will correct itself.

[harry]

not the new flat top kind.  Anyway, one of the elements came loose from t he part that holds it together so I ordered a new one.  Now I have a prob lem of a different kind.  When I turn it on high to heat it up, its o.k., but when I lower the temp .. it sometimes stays on high.  Other times, I start it on medium heat and it will go to high... and sometimes it works j ust fine.  My question is -- is the problem with the element or is it wit h the stove where the connection is?  I hate to have to buy a new stove b ut I am a little wary about it now.  What if someone who doesn't know abo ut the problem turns it on?  Everything else is o.k.

Talking of which, are you aware that the USA is now exporting gas (natural) by tanker to the UK/elsewhere in Europe. Small scale at the moment. But when it ramps up, your gas cost will be the same as ours. (ie lots more)

USA is closer to us thantheME.

[harry]

Er, If faulty, that wouldn't keep it permanently "on".

[Dottie]

There is a switch where the element plugs in -- and there are two wires on the switch. One of them looks scorched -- slightly burned -I am going to c all tomorrow and see if I can get a repairman to check it. Would rather no t have to buy a new stove. Thanks for the help.

[hrhofmann]

n the switch.  One of them looks scorched -- slightly burned -I am going to call tomorrow and see if I can get a repairman to check it.  Would rat her not have to buy a new stove.  Thanks for the help.

If you already have a new heating element, then the switch is the thing that would keeo it at a temperature that is different from what is desired. Watch the repairman and learn everything that you can, it won't hurt to ask a few simple questions that don't delay the repairman, that's how most of us on this group ggot started. IT's great to have a woman or two on this group. Their reasning powers are the same as for men, it is just their upbringing in most cases tends to steer them away from being electrically and mechanically handy.

My daughter spent a day or so helping me change the head on the motor on her Ford Pinto many years ago, she now is not cowed by problems with her car, she knows what she can do and what it is advisable to leave to specialists.

[generic]

Yep, I can easily see that happening. There is probably a bad contact in the switch, and it's overheating the switch itself at that wire connection, the heat is burning the wire too. Since you called a repairman, he'll do the job, but otherwise I would have suggested replacing both the switch and that wire.

There are no other parts in *that* burner. They consist of the element, switch, and the wires. With all three replaced, that burner assembly is entirely replaced. Of course the other burners are still old parts, but as long as they work, you're set to cook. Electric ranges are now all that complicated at least not those older ones.