Frigidaire Electric Range: Replace Drip Pans

Drip pans stain, warp, and corrode over years of spills and heat. Beyond looking bad, a badly warped pan misdirects reflected heat, and a heavily corroded one can let spills reach the wiring below the cooktop, so replacing them is worth doing.

Tools and parts#

• Tools: none — the pans lift out by hand
• Part: a drip pan set (usually two 8-inch and two 6-inch pans); Frigidaire uses standard sizing shared with Electrolux ranges
• Time: 5-10 minutes
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Safety warning: Ensure all burners are OFF and the cooktop is completely cool to the touch. Coil elements retain heat for 15-20 minutes after being turned off. Do not pull on coil elements while they are warm.

Step 1 — Let the cooktop cool#

Turn every burner off and wait at least 20 minutes for the coils and pans to cool, then touch a coil to confirm it is at room temperature. A burn from leftover coil heat is the only real risk here.

Step 2 — Lift out the coil elements#

Raise the outer edge of each coil about an inch, then pull the element straight toward you — its two prongs unplug from a receptacle at the back of the burner opening. It should slide out with moderate resistance; if it sticks, wiggle it side to side rather than forcing it. Set each element on the cooktop and note which size sat where, since the larger elements usually run the front burners.

Step 3 — Remove the old pans#

With the elements out, the pans just lift from their recesses — they sit on gravity alone. Pull each straight up, rocking gently to break any pan stuck by baked-on residue, and note the size of each position (Frigidaire ranges are typically two 8-inch and two 6-inch openings).

Step 4 — Clean underneath#

The surface below the pans catches spills that overflowed the pan edges, so wipe it down with a damp sponge and mild cleaner. Clear debris from the burner receptacles too, but keep moisture out of the sockets — use a dry cloth near the electrical connections.

Step 5 — Drop in the new pans#

Set each new pan into its matching opening, lining its center hole up around the burner receptacle housing, and lower it into the recess so it sits flat and level with the rim flush or just below the cooktop. If a pan sits high or tilts, you have the wrong size for that spot, so double-check the 6-inch versus 8-inch placement.

Step 6 — Reinstall the elements#

Line each element's two prongs up with the receptacle and push it straight back in until it seats firmly, then lower it so it rests on the pan's raised ring — it should sit level about 1/4 inch above the pan. An element that tilts or sits unevenly means the pan below is not seated right.

Step 7 — Test the seating#

Turn each burner to LOW for 30 seconds to check that it heats evenly and the element is not touching the pan (no burning smell), then turn it off. That completes the swap.

Sizing by position#

Layouts vary, so measure your openings or check your existing pans before ordering — the 8-inch and 6-inch pans are not interchangeable.

Material choices#

• Chrome-plated steel: best heat reflection and stays looking new longest, but can rust once the chrome chips.
• Porcelain-coated steel: easy to clean and stain-resistant, but reflects less heat and chips on impact.
• Stainless steel: most durable and dishwasher-safe, though less reflective and prone to discoloring with heat.
• Aluminum (disposable): cheapest and meant to be replaced rather than cleaned, but reflects poorly and warps fast.

For the best cooking performance and the OEM-equivalent look, chrome-plated steel is the pick — it is what Frigidaire uses.

Keeping the new pans good#

Wipe spills as soon as the cooktop cools, clean monthly with a baking-soda paste, and skip oven cleaner on chrome (it dissolves the plating) and repeated dishwasher runs (they promote rust). Replace heavily corroded pans rather than scrubbing them, since forcing them clean strips the chrome and speeds the next failure.

When to call a professional#

• Stove repair service
• Frigidaire appliance repair
• Stove repair cost guide

Prefer a hand with it? Book a same-day Frigidaire stove visit.