What is a Broil Element?
The broil element is the thick metal heating coil located at the very top of your oven. When you turn your oven to the broil setting, this metal tube gets bright red and extremely hot. It cooks your food quickly from above. You use it to melt cheese, toast buns, or get a crispy crust on a casserole. The word broil comes from an Old French word meaning to burn or roast. Appliance makers added the word element to describe the electrical heating part.
Most modern electric ovens have two main heating elements. The bake element sits at the bottom. The broil element hangs from the top. The bottom element does most of the work when you bake. The top element takes over when you broil. This top down heat acts like an upside down grill.
Signs Your Broil Element is Failing
Like all parts in your home Appliances, a broil element wears out over time. The constant heating and cooling weakens the metal. You'll usually notice a few clear signs when it starts to fail.
- Your food takes much longer to brown or crisp on top.
- The coil doesn't glow bright orange or red when you turn it on.
- You see dark spots, blisters, or cracks on the metal tube.
- The oven doesn't reach the right temperature when you try to preheat it.
Sometimes a failing element will spark or pop. If you see sparks, turn off the oven right away. A broken coil can cause a short circuit. It's better to replace it before it damages the main control board of your stove.
How to Keep It Clean
Grease and food splatters hit the broil element every time you cook. This buildup can cause smoke and bad smells in your kitchen. Keeping the coil clean helps it last longer.
You don't need special chemicals to clean it. Wait until the oven is completely cool. Wipe the metal gently with a damp cloth and mild dish soap. Never use a harsh scrubbing pad. Rough sponges scratch the outer coating and cause the element to burn out faster. If you use the self cleaning feature on your oven, the extreme heat will usually burn off any stuck food. Just wipe away the white ash after the oven cools down.
Safe Broiling Tips
Using the broil element requires a little practice. Because the heat is so intense, food can go from browned to burnt in just one minute. You should always stay in the kitchen while you broil.
Many recipes say to leave the oven door cracked open while broiling. This lets the hot air escape so the oven doesn't get too hot and turn off the element. However, you should always check your oven manual first. Many newer electric ovens require you to keep the door completely shut. Leaving the door open on a modern oven can actually melt the plastic knobs on your control panel.
You should also use the right type of pan. A heavy metal broiler pan works best. Glass dishes can shatter under the direct heat of the broil element. Aluminum foil can also catch fire if it touches the hot coil. Keep your food at least 3 to 4 inches away from the metal element to prevent sudden flare ups.
Replacement Costs and Fixing It
Replacing a broil element is usually a fast and easy job. You can often do it yourself with a simple screwdriver. First, you must unplug the oven. Then you take out the screws holding the element to the back wall. You pull the element forward, unclip the two wires, and plug the new element in.
If you choose to do the work yourself, you only pay for the part. A new broil element costs 20 to 60 dollars at most hardware stores. Prices depend on your stove model. If you feel unsure about working with wires, you can look into DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to decide your next step.
Hiring an appliance repair technician will cost more. A pro will usually charge 150 to 300 dollars for the part and the labor. Local labor ranges vary based on where you live. If your oven is very old, you might want to put that money toward a brand new stove instead.
