Frigidaire Range: Replacing a Coil Burner Element

Bottom line: Swapping a plug-in coil burner on a Frigidaire electric range is one of the easiest appliance fixes there is — a beginner 2-5 minute job with no tools once the burner is cool. The only real decisions are matching the size and wattage and checking the receptacle while it is exposed.

Turn off the burner and wait at least 20 minutes for the element and drip pan to cool completely. A recently used element can exceed 1000F at the coil surface. Verify by hovering your hand near (not touching) the element to feel for radiant heat before grasping.

Tools and parts#

Step by step#

1. Identify the failed element and switch off#

Turn the suspect burner control to OFF. An element showing bright spots or an uneven glow is failing and should be replaced even if it still puts out some heat, since those hot spots damage cookware and the drip pan below. Wait 20 minutes for full cooling.

2. Remove the failed element#

Grasp the outer ring, lift the edge up about 1 inch, and pull the element straight out toward you so the two prong terminals slide out of the receptacle block. Moderate resistance is normal; do not jerk or twist. If it feels stuck, wiggle it gently left and right while pulling straight.

3. Inspect the prongs and receptacle#

Before fitting the new element, look at the old prongs. Clean and shiny means the receptacle is likely fine; pitted or thinned prongs mean the element was arcing, so inspect the receptacle for burn damage; one prong shorter or melted means severe arcing and the receptacle almost certainly needs replacing too.

4. Install the new element#

Line up the two prongs with the receptacle holes and push the element straight in until the prongs bottom out with a definite stop — it should not wiggle or feel loose. Lower the coil so it sits flat and level on the drip-pan support ring, about 1/4 inch above the pan. A coil that rocks or tilts usually means the prongs are not fully seated or the drip pan beneath it is not sitting correctly, so reseat both before you turn the power on.

5. Test the new element#

Turn the burner to HIGH; it should begin glowing red within 30-60 seconds and heat evenly across the whole coil with no bright spots. If only half the coil glows, one leg of the 240V circuit is interrupted (check the circuit breaker — both poles must be on). Step through each heat setting to confirm the control works.

If something looks off#

• Half the coil glows: one leg of the 240V supply is out — reset both poles of the double breaker.
• New element smells like burning: the factory coating burns off over the first 2-3 uses; run it on HIGH for 10 minutes with no cookware to clear it.
• New element still heats unevenly: slight variation is normal at first, but persistent bright orange-white spots mean the coil is faulty and should be exchanged.
• Element sparks in the socket: the receptacle is arcing on worn or pitted prongs — lift the cooktop and inspect the receptacle before running that burner again.

When to call a pro#

A scorched receptacle is a wiring repair rather than a plug-in swap and is worth a technician. See our stove repair cost guide or book a same-day repair.