These days, electric cooktops are just as popular as gas stoves. The days of the exposed coil burners have become all but obsolete. They still sell them and you still see them, but the electric burner is far sexier and more modern looking. Just like a gas stove, however, there can sometimes be issues with the burner firing. We are going to take a quick look at some of the more common problems that you can address before having to call an appliance repair technician.
Common Fixes
Let’s look at the obvious first. Treat the stove like it’s your phone and look to do a quick reboot. Try plugging the stove into a different outlet. Check for a frayed cord. Check your breaker box and flip the breaker off and on.
Burner Problems
If you turn on a burner and it does not work, check the other burners to see if they are functioning. If they are, you know this is an isolated issue. Check the area around the burner to see if the glass is cracked or scratched. Also check to make sure the glass is clear and not cloudy. This is not likely something you can fix on your own, as the glass top will have to be removed and the burner replaced, not something you want to do on your own.
Burner Socket
If the burner is acting spotty, meaning sometimes it works and sometimes it does not, it could be the burner socket. This is a small, circular part that is under the cooking surface. This is what connects the heating element to the power supply. If you are able access this piece, you can visually inspect it to see if it is burned or charred and needs to be replaced. This is not something that we would recommend that you attempt to fix on your own.
The Infinite Switch
A sign that the infinite switch is the problem is if the burner barely fires or if remains on high heat when it is turned on. This is the switch that is connected to the knob on the stovetop that allows you to change the temperature of the burner. Again, this is not something the average person is going to be able to fix on their own, but at least you can troubleshoot it to this point and let the technician know what to look for when they arrive.
Don’t Void the Warranty!
We talk about the dangers of voiding the warranty quite a bit here, but that is because we don’t want you to take on a job that you are unqualified for. Messing with expensive appliances is not the time to find out if YouTube videos are the perfect learning tool. In many cases, the moment you pop the hood on an appliance without it being done by a certified technician, the warranty is voided.
