Electric Range: Why doesn't my electric range's surface element heat properly?

The radiant surface element is mounted on the underside of a ceramic glass cooktop. Replace the element if it fails to heat or has a faulty limiter.

The coil surface element, also known as the coil element, plugs into the terminal block in an electric cooktop. It's controlled by a surface element switch (also called an infinite burner switch) and sits above a drip pan. It provides the heat for that location on the cooktop. Replace the coil surface element if it's physically damaged or won't heat.

The surface element switch (also called a surface burner switch or infinite burner switch) is used to turn on the heating elements on an electric cooktop. If the switch's electrical contacts fail, the switch might not turn the surface burner on or off, or it might not control the heat level of the burner.

Some ranges have a relay control board that's separate from electronic control board. The relay board has electrical relays that control voltage going to major loads such as the bake element or a surface element, based on signals from the control board. Replace the relay control board if it fails to properly control voltage to a component.

The radiant surface element has a limit switch that shuts off the element to protect the ceramic glass cooktop from overheating. That limiter is included with the element on some radiant surface elements, while on others it can be replaced as a separate component. If a surface element fails to heat, or the limiter is not regulating the maximum temperature properly, replace it.

A solid surface disc element is a solid metal surface element that's mounted on the top an electric cooktop or range for surface cooking. Ribbon heating coils under the solid metal disc transmit heat to the surface of the disc and then to the cookware. Replace the element if it doesn't heat up even when it's receiving power.

The terminal block is the receptacle for the coil element prongs on the underside of the cooktop next to the coil element opening. If the terminal block shorts, melts, or is otherwise damaged, it should be replaced.