6 electric range safety tips

If you have an electric range in your kitchen, it’s important to understand how to use it correctly so you can have a safe and enjoyable cooking experience.

Electric ranges provide flexibility in any kitchen with an electric hookup by using heating elements powered by electricity instead of gas. Some benefits of electric ranges include precise temperature control, easy-to-clean smooth surfaces, and avoiding reliance on gas lines. Features like air frying, induction, and smart connectivity are also available across several brands.

If you need a replacement part for your electric oven, you can order one by entering your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com.

1. Keep the cooking surface and interior clean

Grease, spills, and food debris left on burners or inside the oven can pose serious fire dangers over time, so it’s important to regularly clean the range. 

Here are some cleaning tips to keep in mind:

• Routinely wipe down very accessible areas like control knobs, handles, and shelves
• After each use, wipe down any soiled areas with a damp cloth or paper towel to remove residue. 
• For baked-on messes, apply an all-purpose cleaner or vinegar solution and let it sit briefly before scrubbing clean.
• As grease builds up beneath drip pans or elsewhere in the oven cavity, take the time to periodically hand wash or run a self-cleaning cycle. Remember, any oven, especially wall ovens, needs to have plenty of air circulation to prevent damage to the appliance or its parts during a self-clean cycle. It’s also recommended to run a self-clean cycle at least a month in advance of cooking in case something malfunctions after running it.

Read more: The Pros And Cons Of Self Cleaning Ovens

2. Use the right equipment

Not all pots, and pans are compatible with electric coils or infrared burners. Check your oven’s use and care manual to see what type of pans are recommended for your model.  

It’s best to familiarize yourself with what fits best and where. Temperature control becomes more difficult when pans are too small for the element. Oversized cookware can waste heat by spreading it too thinly across a greater surface area. 

Check out these tips:

• Avoid using worn or damaged items that may not perform safely. 
• Accessories need to align correctly with the heating elements below.
• Pots and pans should sit flat and evenly on the cooktop surface without tilting or overreaching element perimeters.
• Gauge the sizing compatibility for cookware by testing the fit before the first use. You can do this by centering new cookware directly above each intended burner. Marked diameter guidelines within each cooking zone provide visual sizing references, too.
• Over time, adjust accessories as needed for snug placement and the best performance.

Read more: How to Clean a Glass Stovetop

3. Use the right heat settings

By getting acquainted with your range’s specific heating capabilities, you can keep yourself safe. 

Your electric range has dials that can be manipulated to offer low, medium and high-temperature options for cooking. A gentle simmer can be used to boil water, while maximum heat is needed to sear steaks. If a specific setting is rushed on too high, you risk overshooting the desired doneness or unnecessarily igniting grease splatters.

To use the right settings:

• Learn each element’s traits so you can gauge the appropriate dials by sight and sound alone. Listen for subtle differences in element warmth between low and medium, for example. 
• Adjust settings up or down gradually as required by the recipe or your preferences. 

Read more: Electric Range Element Won’t Heat

4. Keep children a safe distance away

A top cause of residential cooking fires is unsupervised children playing too close to ranges.

Simple distractions can give tiny hands plenty of time to spark mischief with controls or hot surfaces. 

How to prevent electric range accidents involving children:

• Remain alert whenever little ones wander into the kitchen.
• Designate a safe play space away from range hazards.
• Consider installing magnetic or mechanical knob covers and locks so the dials can’t inadvertently rotate under tiny fingers.
• Create a singing reminder song that may stick with them longer than a stern talking-to.

5. Take troubleshooting and repair precautions

If you’re having an issue with the range that requires troubleshooting, testing, or repair, there are some things you need to know to stay safe:

• Let the oven cool off if it was just used.
• Always turn off the oven and unplug it or turn off the circuit breaker before testing or making any kind of repair. The only instance this wouldn’t apply is when you’re checking for live voltage, which you should never do if you’re not comfortable using a multimeter, as it could cause serious injury.
• Wear protective gloves when handling oven components.
• Make sure you have all the necessary tools within reach before you test or replace any parts.

Read more: Gas VS Electric: Which Range Is Right For You?

6. Respond appropriately to fires

Electric range accidents can happen even if you take the most precautions. 

Keep these tips in mind so you’re prepared to extinguish a fire if one occurs:

• Have a fire plan in place that includes the location of the fire extinguishers and the nearest exits from the home.
• If a small grease fire starts on the stovetop, immediately slide a tight-fitting metal lid over the burning pan to suffocate it. Baking soda or salt can also be used. Never douse with water, which may splatter the flames more widely. 
• If a large fire starts inside the oven, immediately turn off the power at the breaker panel if you can reach it. 
• Don’t try to fight big flames yourself. Call emergency responders and evacuate to safety while you wait for their arrival.

More information

By sticking to basic electric range safety procedures, you can safeguard your most valuable cooking resource and prevent needless risk to you and your loved ones. 

Thanks for reading! If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, you can find other resources and our DIY blog at AppliancePartsPros.com. There, you can enter your model number to order the exact parts you need. Most orders arrive in two business days.

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