Maytag Induction Electric Range slow to heat, can I fix it?
July 3, 2020 10:47 AM Subscribe
This is our Maytag induction electric range (Imgur pic), which seems to be MIR8890AS (American Freight) or something like it. We've had it for about 7 years and it's been pretty good, but recently the oven heats really, really slowly, and doesn't seem to stay at temperature. Broiling is fine, but we probably shouldn't rely on bringing the oven up to temp. Signs point to a bad element, is it really that easy to replace (Hunker general summary)?
The diagnosis: broil definitely works—it'll burn the top of a pizza while the bottom is still soggy. And broil will bring the oven temp up quickly, according the the oven thermometer. But cooking normally takes a long time for the oven to come up to temperature, around 30 minutes or so, and when it's cooking, I'll periodically turn off the oven to re-check the temperature, and the digital temperature display will indicate that the oven is now cooler than before.
Is this likely to (only) be the heating element, or possibly something more? And if it is element, what's a good place to get replacement elements, and is it that straight-forward to replace the bad element?
In other times, I'd probably call a repair person, but now I'm interested in doing it ourselves. Thanks!
The diagnosis: broil definitely works—it'll burn the top of a pizza while the bottom is still soggy. And broil will bring the oven temp up quickly, according the the oven thermometer. But cooking normally takes a long time for the oven to come up to temperature, around 30 minutes or so, and when it's cooking, I'll periodically turn off the oven to re-check the temperature, and the digital temperature display will indicate that the oven is now cooler than before.
Is this likely to (only) be the heating element, or possibly something more? And if it is element, what's a good place to get replacement elements, and is it that straight-forward to replace the bad element?
In other times, I'd probably call a repair person, but now I'm interested in doing it ourselves. Thanks!
I think your guess of a faulty heating element is most likely to be the case. Probably not 100% -- I suppose it could be a temperature sensor or a control board -- but pretty likely. I've ordered stuff like this from Repair Clinic and also just off Amazon before.
As long as you know how to turn off the circuit breakers to the range, I think this is a pretty straightforward DIY repair.
posted by Betelgeuse at 12:14 PM on July 3, 2020
As long as you know how to turn off the circuit breakers to the range, I think this is a pretty straightforward DIY repair.
posted by Betelgeuse at 12:14 PM on July 3, 2020
YouTube is a giant repository of helpful instruction videos on how to accomplish projects like this, so once you get your replacement parts ordered you'll have a great tutor to help you complete your project.
posted by hippybear at 12:57 PM on July 3, 2020
posted by hippybear at 12:57 PM on July 3, 2020
According to your American Freight link, the elements are covered by a 10 year warranty, but I don't know what hoops you'd have to jump through to exercise it.
It would be nice to be sure that an element is bad — and the description on the AF site says there are three elements not two, which actually could explain something that puzzled me since I didn't see how it would heat at all while baking if the baking element was bad — so I suggest turning the oven on, then back off after a second or two and placing a finger near enough to the main baking element to see whether or not it started to heat, all while being extremely cautious not to get burned.
posted by jamjam at 1:27 PM on July 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
It would be nice to be sure that an element is bad — and the description on the AF site says there are three elements not two, which actually could explain something that puzzled me since I didn't see how it would heat at all while baking if the baking element was bad — so I suggest turning the oven on, then back off after a second or two and placing a finger near enough to the main baking element to see whether or not it started to heat, all while being extremely cautious not to get burned.
posted by jamjam at 1:27 PM on July 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
jamjam has the right idea to check the elements, but in most newer ovens only the top broiler element is exposed. The lower oven elements are probably beneath a drip pan inside at the bottom of the oven. You will have to remove two or four easily accessible screws inside the oven. When you remove the drip pan, you will also be able to see how easily the elements can be replaced. Then do the tests suggested by jamjam to see which elements are working/not working.
posted by JackFlash at 8:48 PM on July 3, 2020
posted by JackFlash at 8:48 PM on July 3, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
What leads you to conclude the problem is the element? Does it glow orange during heating?
Temperature oscillations in any oven are totally normal. Ovens hold the temperature in a range, not at a very specific set-point.
posted by jon1270 at 10:59 AM on July 3, 2020