Lego and Sawdust

The bake element in our Maytag stove burned out last week. MrsPages was getting ready to cook brunch for company (and we had company coming the next morning too) when there was a bright flash and *foom* *fizzle* the element died.

MrsPages ingeniously managed to cook the meal by turning the broiler on until the oven reached temperature, then turning it off, then turning it on again when it cooled. What a pain. So without further ado, I present:

How to replace the lower bake element in a Maytag Oven

You’ll need:

• A replacement element. I got mine for $35 from Reliable Parts. Any generic appliance store should have them in stock. The same element is used across many models, so they’re pretty common.
  

• A Pair of pliers (I used needlenose)
• A medium philips screwdriver (cross shaped head)
• A small slot screwdriver

Step 1. Unplug it. If it’s wired in to the wall, turn the breaker off.

Step 2. Make sure it’s unplugged. Don’t laugh, go double check. Really.

Step 3. Make absolutely sure it’s unplugged. You really don’t want to be messing with 220 volts. Honest.

Step 4. Pull the oven out and remove the half dozen or so screws that keep the back cover on.



Step 5. Find the wires that connect to the lower bake element.

Step 6. Remove the clips from the element. You’ll likely need a pair of pliers. Be gentle, just take a firm hold and wiggle while you tug the connector off.

Step 7. Open the oven door and remove the 2 screws holding the element in place inside the oven.

Step 8. Inside the oven, remove the broken element (just pull it straight out of the holes in the back oven wall). If the element is badly broken there may be white dust coming out. Be careful, this dust is apparently rather toxic.

Step 9. Insert the ends of the new element through the holes in the back oven wall and replace the two screws to hold the new element in place.

Step 10. Back behind the oven, using the small slot screwdriver, slightly bend open the crimped part of the connector on the wires. You might not need to do this. If you can manage the next step without it, don’t bother.

Step 11. Slide the connectors on to the ends of the new element and lightly crimp the connector with the pliers. Give the wire a tug to make sure it’s on securely. Lots of heat and electricity flow through this wire, and a loose connector can work its way off and be dangerous.

Step 12. Replace the back cover and all the screws that hold it on.

Step 13. Take this opportunity to clean the dried crud off the sides of the oven.

Step 14. Plug the oven in or turn the breaker back on and test it. Use an oven thermometer to check that the oven reaches the proper temperature and stays there.

If it doesn’t work at this point, call a repair person. The element burning out can damage the thermostat or other components. At least you’ve saved yourself the cost of this part of the repair!

If it does work, pat yourself on the back for having avoided $100-an-hour labour costs and 100 percent parts markup for a 10 minute do-it-yourself job!

UPDATE October 2009: I just replaced the element again. I found a replacement at Home Depot in the appliance section for the same price as the appliance place.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 8th, 2008 at 8:17 am and is filed under How To. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.