Hob Won’t Heat Up
If you’ve ever been in the middle of preparing a meal only to find that your electric hob won’t heat up, you know how frustrating it can be. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. This is a common issue that many homeowners face, and the good news is that it’s often something you can fix yourself with a little bit of knowledge and some basic tools. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and repair an electric hob that won’t heat up.
Understanding How an Electric Hob Works
Before we dive into the troubleshooting process, it’s helpful to understand how an electric hob works. Here’s a basic rundown:
- Electricity from a power source is delivered to a terminal block inside your hob through three large wires in the power cord.
- Electrical power is then distributed to the various components that operate the various features of the hob, such as the thermostat and the heating elements.
- Heating elements are insulated coils with a metal covering that creates heat and electrical resistance to achieve the desired temperature.
- Each element is supported by its own switch that turns the burner on and sends a message to the thermostat to heat to the desired temperature.
- Desired levels of heat are controlled by switches and thermostats. Switches control the on and off while the thermostat controls the level of the desired temperature.
- One type of switch for electric hobs is called an infinite-heat switch which pulsates power to heating elements on an as-needed basis, maintaining the correct level of heat.
Now that we have a basic understanding of how an electric hob works, let’s look at some of the common issues that can cause it not to heat up.
1. Hob Won’t Heat Up: Burner Won’t Heat Because of an Electrical Short
Plug-in burners can collect grease and moisture into the power source receptacle. This can lead to an arcing situation creating an intermittent electrical short that may not be noticed any more than a minor headache. Eventually, the element will burn out and the hob won’t heat up.
Solution
To prevent a burner from shorting because of grease, oil, or moisture, it is recommended to clean the element tips and inside of the receptacle. When the repair calls for a heating element replacement, make sure to replace the power source receptacle also. Do not assume that just because the heating element is shorted that the receptacle does not have any problems. Do not immerse the burner in water to clean it. The plug-in tips on the burner element contain porcelain and will absorb water.
The burner may appear dry but even a small amount of water could cause serious electrical shock. In order to prevent cross-contamination, make sure to return the same heating element to the receptacle it came from. Use a drip pan to capture grease and oil, however, do not line drip pans with foil. The light from the from the element reflects off the foil back to the element, causing hot spots to develop which would render the heating element useless.
2. Hob Won’t Heat Up: Burned Out Element
Each burner element is controlled by its own switch. When the switch selector knob is turned to a particular heat setting the switch allows voltage to travel to the element which closes the circuit and causes the element to heat. If the element does not heat the component has burned out.
Solution
Inspect a conventional element for any blistering or breaks in the coil. If there are any visible breaks or bubbling, the circuit has been interrupted and the element needs to be replaced. When inspecting the coils that sit underneath a ceramic top, look for any breaks or burn spots in the coil. If there is any incongruence in appearance, the coil needs to be replaced. Lastly, if there is no visible damage you can check for continuity with a multi-meter. If there is no continuity you have found your problem. Replace the burned-out heating element. Replacments can be found on Amazon here!
3. Hob Won’t Heat Up: Burned Out Receptacle
If the heating element test proves that the element is in good shape, consider the power receptacle. A burned-out receptacle interrupts the voltage sent to the heating element. Inspect the contacts for visible burn marks or damage.
Solution
If there is visible damage, replace the power receptacle with a new one.
4. Hob Won’t Heat Up: Loose or Burnt Wire Connection
As you work your way through these troubleshooting tips, be sure to look for any loose or burnt wires. It is common for element power supply wires to burn out near the element. If this is the case, you will see visible burn marks. If a wire is loose, try wiggling it back onto its connection.
Solution
Replace the wire or wires that are damaged or burnt; replace the power receptacle and replace the heating element.
5. Hob Won’t Heat Up: Defective Surface Element Switch
The heating element switch regulates the voltage that controls how much heat is displaced to the coils. When the element reaches the desired temperature the switch shuts off the voltage. In order to maintain the designated temperature, the cycle continues throughout the cooking process. A defective switch may prevent the element from working at all.
Solution
A good troubleshooting procedure is to simply take a similarly sized element and plug it in. If the new element fails to work, then suspect the switch. Replace the element switch.
How to Replace a Plug-in Burner
Plug-in burners are commonly used in many electric hobs. When doing this repair, be careful to avoid any sharp edges. Remember Safety First! Before beginning any work on the hob, unplug it from its power source. Once the hob is unplugged, go ahead and grasp the damaged burner by the outer coil and lift it up and pull it straight out. Replace the burner by sliding its prongs into the terminal receptacle. Then pull the burner forward to lock it in place. Reconnect the hob to the wall outlet and turn the new burner switch to on. Replacments can be found on Amazon here!
If this short troubleshooting guide does not solve your hob problem, don’t hesitate to contact us today for more assistance. You can also check out our other blog posts for more appliance repair and maintenance tips.
Hob Won’t Heat Up: Help From Yorkshire Appliances
Remember, while DIY repairs can be a great way to save money and learn more about your appliances, some repairs should be left to the professionals. If you’re ever unsure about a repair, it’s always best to call in a professional to avoid causing further damage or creating a potentially dangerous situation. At Yorkshire Appliances, we’re always here to help with your appliance repair needs.
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