Whirlpool Oven Bake & Broil Element Replacement — Visual Inspection, Resistance Testing & 240V Safety

Whirlpool electric ovens use two separate heating elements: the bake element at the bottom of the cavity and the broil element at the top. Each is an independent resistive coil that operates on 240V AC, switched by separate relays on the control board. They fail independently — a failed bake element does not affect the broil element, and vice versa.

Element failure is often visible: a burned-through coil shows a visible gap, blister, or hole where the nichrome wire has melted through. Sometimes the element arcs visually during the failure — a brief bright flash and spark. If you see this, disconnect power immediately.

Bake Element vs Broil Element

Bake element (bottom): Provides heat from below for baking. This is the primary element — it runs for most of the bake cycle, with the broil element assisting briefly for preheating on some models.

Broil element (top): Provides radiant heat from above for broiling and browning. Also assists with preheating.

Visible identification: Open the oven door and look — the bake element is a flat coil at the very bottom (some are hidden under a panel), and the broil element is a coil at the very top.

Testing

1. Disconnect power at the breaker (240V)
2. Remove the oven racks
3. The bake element attaches to the rear wall of the oven with 2 screws (Phillips or hex). Remove the screws and gently pull the element forward to expose the wiring terminals behind the rear wall
4. Disconnect the 2 wires from the element terminals
5. Set multimeter to ohms and measure across the element terminals:
   • 15-30 ohms = element is good
   • Open circuit = element has broken internally. Replace.
6. Ground fault test: measure between each terminal and the element body (metal coil). Should be open circuit. Any continuity = insulation failure, replace even if resistance seems normal.

The broil element is accessed the same way from the top of the oven — remove the 2 mounting screws from the rear wall, pull forward, disconnect wires.

Part Numbers and Cost

Replacement Steps

Tools needed: Phillips #2 or 1/4-inch nut driver, multimeter

1. Disconnect power at the breaker
2. Remove oven racks
3. Remove the 2 mounting screws from the rear wall of the oven (visible inside the cavity)
4. Gently pull the element forward 4-5 inches to expose the terminal connections behind the rear wall
5. Photograph the wire connections
6. Disconnect the wires — they are push-on spade connectors. Wiggle gently to remove, do not pull by the wires
7. Remove the old element from the oven
8. Feed the new element's terminals through the holes in the rear wall
9. Reconnect the wires to the terminals
10. Push the element back into position and secure with the mounting screws
11. Restore power and test by preheating to 350 degrees F — the element should glow orange-red evenly along its entire length

Hidden Bake Elements

Some Whirlpool ranges have a "hidden bake" design where the bake element is concealed beneath a smooth panel at the bottom of the oven. This makes the oven floor easier to clean but makes element replacement slightly more complex:

• Remove the bottom panel first (typically held by 2-4 screws or clips)
• The element is then accessible underneath, mounted the same way as a standard element
• Replace the panel after installing the new element

Common Mistakes

• Not testing — just replacing because the oven does not heat — the element could be fine while the board's relay or the oven sensor has failed. Test the element first (5 minutes) to avoid buying a $20-60 part you do not need
• Forcing a tight element — if the element does not slide back easily, the mounting holes are misaligned. Force can crack the porcelain rear wall insulation
• Touching the element with bare hands before baking — skin oils can create hot spots on the coil surface. Wipe with a clean cloth if touched

Lifespan

Oven elements last 10-20 years with normal use. Self-clean cycles at 800-900 degrees F stress elements more than normal cooking. Elements that run continuously (because the oven sensor or thermostat has drifted) burn out faster.

FAQ

My oven does not reach temperature — is it the element?

Possibly. If the bake element does not glow at all, it has failed. If it glows but the oven is slow to heat, the element may be weakened (higher resistance = less heat output) or the oven sensor may be misreading. Test the element resistance — significantly above 30 ohms suggests a weakened element.

Can I replace the element without pulling the oven out?

Yes — bake and broil elements are accessed from inside the oven. You only need to pull the oven out if you need to access the wiring behind the rear panel.

Is a broil element failure dangerous?

A short to ground (ground fault) in a broil element can trip the breaker or potentially create a fire risk if the element arcs against the oven liner. If you see sparking from the element, disconnect power immediately.

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Oven not heating? Elements are one of the most straightforward oven repairs. Our technicians test and replace on-site. Book a technician →