How to fix a slow preheating electric range with a hidden bake element

Ever found yourself tapping your foot impatiently, waiting for your oven to preheat, only to realize it’s taking forever? Slow preheating in electric ranges with hidden bake elements is a widespread annoyance many homeowners face, disrupting meal prep when time is of the essence. Fortunately, you don’t have to put up with this delay any longer—our expert-led how-to video below will guide you through troubleshooting and fixing the problem with confidence.

One of the most frustrating things that can happen in the kitchen is waiting for a long time for your oven to preheat, especially if you’re on a schedule to get food ready for serving.

If you’re experiencing this issue with your electric range that has a hidden heating (bake) element, you’re not alone. Slow preheating is a common problem, but there are things you can do to fix the issue.

If you need a new element or any other part for your range, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com to get a new one.

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

WATCH: Electric Range Has Little/No Heat When Baking

Why is my bake element hidden?

A hidden bake element is a clever design feature in many modern electric ovens and ranges that makes for easier cleaning and even heating. But when this element malfunctions, it can significantly affect preheating times and cooking performance. It can also be more difficult to access if it needs to be replaced.

Unlike traditional exposed bake elements, which are visible at the bottom of the oven, hidden bake elements are concealed under the oven floor. Let’s unpack some of the advantages:

• Ease of cleaning: Since the bake element isn’t exposed, spills and drips won’t come into direct contact with it. This makes cleaning your oven much easier and reduces the risk of food debris burning onto the element.

• Even heating: Since hidden bake elements are positioned beneath the oven floor, they allow for a more even distribution of heat. This reduces hot spots and ensures a consistent temperature throughout the oven cavity.

Your bake element may need to be replaced if…

• Food is baking unevenly: Some parts may be overcooked while others remain undercooked. This indicates heat distribution problems in the oven.
• Baked goods are consistently underdone: If bread, cakes, or cookies aren’t reaching ideal color or texture, the oven may not be reaching the correct temperature in a reasonable time.
• Your range is displaying an error code: Don’t ignore the code! If your range displays an error code, you need to find the source of the problem and fix it as soon as possible. Delaying repair or replacement can cause more issues with your appliance and threaten your safety.

What to check before you open up the oven

Check the following before you attempt to access the element:

• Make sure the oven is clean: Built-up grease and food residue on the oven walls can act as insulation and slow down preheating.
• Check for blockages: Make sure there’s not any food, aluminum foil or any other debris blocking the oven vents. This can prevent proper air circulation.
• Check the temperature setting: Make sure the oven is set to the correct preheat temperature. If it’s set too high, it will take longer to preheat.
• Be patient: If the oven is cold when preheating starts, you should give it 20-30 minutes of preheating time. If you’re using an older oven, it will likely take longer to preheat than a newer model.
• Check the power supply: An electric range needs 240 volts to run correctly. If you have less power coming in, the display may light up, but the oven won’t heat correctly. You can check the circuit breakers and, whether it’s tripped or not, reset it. Then you can check the wall socket with a multimeter set to volts AC. Test each side with the probes to make sure it reads 120 volts, then make sure it reads 240 volts combined. The numbers may slightly vary but shouldn’t be more than 10 percent off. If you don’t get the correct voltage, then either the socket or one of the circuit breakers may need to be replaced.

READ MORE: How to Clean an Oven

How to troubleshoot the hidden bake element

Safety tips

Remember to keep safety first when working with any appliance. Keep these tips in mind:

• Make sure the range is off and disconnected from the power supply before starting any troubleshooting or maintenance. You can unplug the range or turn off the circuit breaker that supplies electricity to it. Double-check that there isn’t any electrical power to the appliance to avoid the risk of electrical shock, which can potentially cause serious injuries.
• Let the oven cool off completely before disconnecting or handling any oven parts.
• Wear appropriate safety gear, including insulated gloves and safety goggles, to protect yourself from electrical components, hot surfaces, sharp objects and debris.
• Keep your working area ventilated. This is essential when dealing with ovens, since there may be fumes or odors when components are heated or exposed.
• If you encounter resistance when disassembling or reassembling parts of your oven, avoid using excessive force. Forcing components can lead to damage or injury.

Tools and materials

• A digital multimeter: This will help you measure the resistance of the element and determine its condition.
• Phillips and flathead screwdrivers: These will remove screws and help you access the oven’s interior components.
• Insulated work gloves: Use these to protect your hands.
• A flashlight: Illuminates the inside of the oven so you can easily spot issues or defects.
• Range user manual: This is a valuable resource and can provide you with specific instructions for disassembly, part replacement, and troubleshooting. If you can’t find your manual, you may be able to find it online.
• A replacement bake element (if you find out that the element is faulty): Before you attempt a replacement, make sure the new element is compatible with your specific electric range model.

Troubleshooting steps

1. Make sure the range is completely cooled off.
2. Unplug the range from the power outlet or turn off the circuit breaker that supplies electricity to it.
3. Make sure there’s no electrical power to the appliance by attempting to turn on the oven. You can also test the terminal block for voltage if the circuit breaker was turned off.
4. Remove all oven racks to access the oven’s interior.
5. You may need to remove a protective cover or panel to access the hidden bake element depending on your range’s design. Check your user manual for guidance.
6. Carefully inspect the hidden bake element for any visible damage like burning, cracking, or breaks. If you find any physical damage, it needs to be replaced.
7. If your element physically looks good, set your multimeter to the resistance (ohms) setting. This setting is the omega symbol Ω.
8. Carefully touch the multimeter probes to the element’s electrical terminals, ensuring they make good contact.
9. The multimeter should display a resistance value. Check your user manual to see what the acceptable range of resistance is for your bake element. If the measured resistance is significantly outside this range or shows no reading at all, it may indicate a faulty element that needs to be replaced.
10. If your bake element is bad, refer to your user manual or manufacturer’s instructions for the replacement process specific to your range model.

READ MORE: Cooking Efficiently In Your Oven: 10 Tips And Tricks

How to maintain your oven and hidden bake element

Follow these tips to extend the lifespan of your electric range and element.

• Keep the oven and its interior clean. This prevents the buildup of food residue, grease, and spills. Use a non-abrasive oven cleaner and a soft cloth to remove any deposits. You should also clean up spills and drips as soon as they happen. Leaving them to accumulate can lead to hard-to-remove stains.
• Regularly check the oven door gasket for any signs of wear, damage, or deformity. A properly sealed oven door helps maintain the correct temperature and prevents heat loss.
• Always promptly address issues with the oven’s performance or hidden bake element. Delaying repairs can lead to further damage and increased energy consumption.
• Periodically check and calibrate your oven’s temperature settings. This keeps the displayed temperature matching the actual temperature inside the oven.
• Use appropriate cookware to cook food evenly and prevent oven damage and accidents.

Additional reading

Thanks for reading!

We hope this troubleshooting guide has helped you fix your range.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our thousands of free videos and troubleshooting guides available. If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more.

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