The cooktop in your kitchen is one of the most important appliances. Although gas cooktops tend to be more popular, electric cooktops are making their way up as well. These electronic appliances are easy to install and can prepare meals in relatively less time. Plus, they are also a better choice when it comes to precision and even cooking as you can control the temperature and keep it consistent or increase or decrease it as you want. But, like other household appliances, electric cooktops can sometimes run into problems as well These signs might indicate that you need to call in an appliance repair expert. So, let’s take a look at some common signs and how you can keep your cooktop in a perfect condition.
The Electric Cooktop Won’t Turn On
The most common and frustrating issue with electric cooktops is when they fail to turn on. To troubleshoot the issue, you should check if the power socket is defective.
Use a multimeter to check the flow or if you do not have that, plug in some other electronic device such as a charger or blow dryer to check. If that does not function as well, then the power socket is faulty. In this case, replace the defective socket.
But if you observe that the dryer is working but the cooktop isn’t, it most likely means there is an issue within the unit. In this case, consult a technician. If you wish to do it on your own, you will need to consult the user manual and use appropriate skills and tools to access the cooktop.
Electric Coils Won’t Heat
Electric cooktops have coils that produce heat to cook meals. The problem with these coils is that they can stop functioning without showing any signs & symptoms. If you observe that the coils are not becoming hot even though the cooktop is powered on, it means the coils are experiencing an issue.
A common issue with the coils is a loose connection with the cooktop. If your cooktop was recently serviced, the connections might not have been secured properly. Sometimes, it becomes loose over time or after moving it to another location.
Moreover, you have to keep in mind that electric cooktops like other kitchen appliances need proper maintenance and cleaning as well. Food leftovers, debris, oil, and other factors can also impede the functioning of the coils. So, clean the cooktop to ensure no dried-up food or debris is stuck on the coils or other parts of the cooktop.
While fixing the issue, you may also want to check the internal ignition switch as it’s an important component that helps in turning on the burners. This can be a complicated issue to solve and you are going to need an expert to fix the issue.
Cannot Adjust The Temperature Of Burners
A benefit of using electric cooktops is you can precisely control the temperature. This makes them more energy efficient. But if this feature is not working correctly, the cooktop is not beneficial for you. This issue happens due a faulty infinite switch.
The switch happens to be connected to the dials that regulate the power levels and a faulty switch can force the burners to heat at one specific level. And, another common cause of this problem is the faulty ignition switch. Regardless, you should contact an expert to get the issue resolved.
The Cooktop Sparks
Your electric cooktop should not spark at all. If you notice that the cooktop is sparking while turning on, you should know it is not something normal and needs to be checked. If there are sparks, you will need to check the heating element.
Putting weight on it or extremely high temperatures can cause damage to the heating element which can cause sparks. It could also be that the wires around the electric coil burners are loose. You need to know that these sparks are dangerous and could also break out a fire. So, instead waiting for the issue to fix on its own, you need to get an expert on it as soon as possible.
Some oven problems can also cause sparks in them so if you notice any spark, disconnect power to the appliance and consult an oven repair Springfield service. Similar to cooktops, the culprit could be the heating element but this should only be inspected and determine by an expert.
The Indicator Light Won’t Turn On
Most modern electric cooktops come with several different types of indicator lights that keep the user informed about the functioning of the unit. These indications provide information related to the unit’s temperature settings and if you observe your cooktop indicator light doesn’t turn on, it means the control switch is defective.
If the control switch happens to be defective, you will not be able to see anything on the electronic display as it provides power to these features. It can also be a broken bulb. Fortunately, both issues are fixable and you will need to contact an expert to help you with that.
If you have bought a new electric cooktop recently and it is experiencing such issues, you will need to use the warranty to avoid paying for repairs and replacements from your pocket. But, if the cooktop happens to be old, you will need to pay for the services.
Make sure that you contact the manufacturer when it comes to claiming the warranty. This is because hiring a cheap expert will void the warranty and you will not be able to use it in the future.
Damaged Electric Coils
Although electric cooktops are designed to last for a while, but with frequent usage, the components begin to turn weak and the coils will wear out. This means that you should regularly inspect the unit and especially the coils for bubbles, blisters, or cracks. Unfortunately, these coils cannot be repaired.
Instead, you will need to go for new coils for the cooktop. In this case, you will need to purchase coils that are of the proper size of the unit’s burners. The reason is that loose coils can be a huge safety hazard.
When it comes to fixing cooktop issues, you will need to keep in mind that electric cooktops last 13 years on average. If your electric cooktop lasted this long, it might be time to consider a replacement. There is no point in spending on expensive repairs and replacements considering the unit will frequently break down.
How To Prevent Electric Cooktop Issues?
Preventing electric cooktop issues is easy as long as you are regularly performing inspections and maintenance. As soon as you come across any unusual signs, you should shut off the cooktop and consult an expert. And, remember to always hire a certified professional.
Opting for an inexperienced individual will cause more trouble than convenience. In the meantime, you should also ensure the cooktop is clean and free of debris, oil, and grease accumulations.
Conclusion
Many electric cooktop issues are easy to fix if you were to consider the information mentioned above. While the rest can easily be avoided if you keep up with inspections and expert maintenance. However, to avoid problems and ensure safety, hire an expert for cooktops repair Northern VA.
