Electric cooktops and stove tops have become an important part of household kitchens today. Even though conventional gas cooktops are still in demand, due to ease of maintenance and in an attempt to improve their lifestyle, more and more people are turning towards electric cooktops. There is no doubt that electric cooktops have a lot of benefits to offer but they come with disadvantages as well. Electric cooktops are prone to experiencing problems that could be complicated to fix, which is why the help of an appliance repair expert is required for troubleshooting electric cooktops. Below are some signs your electric cooktop is faulty and needs repairs.

Flickering Digital Display

A flickering digital display means there is something wrong with the interface of the unit. The first thing you will need to do in this case is check the power supply. If the power cord happens to be cracked or damaged, you will need to replace it. Make sure that you opt for the exact replacement as power cords may appear similar but vary in terms of quality and other factors.

But if the power cord happens to be fine, you will need to check if there is a problem with the power supply. It might be that the power switch is problematic or the circuit breaker is not performing properly. There could be a blown fuse in the circuit breaker as well.

Fortunately, replacing a fuse is not that difficult. All you need to do is check to find the exact fuse replacement and replace it with the existing one. This should solve the problem but if not, you will need to check for other problems.

Constant Or Unexpected Clicking

Another sign that means your electric range is facing issues is constant or unexpected clicking. The only time you are going to hear a clicking sound is when you are either turning the unit on or off. Some cooktops click when they heat up or cool down.

This is normal and does not need attention. But if you notice your electric cooktop is making such noises at unusual times, it means there is most probably a problem. It could be that the cooktop is trying to do something it should not.

Plus, it could also be due to internal settings switching due to an internal malfunction. An unexpected clicking sound could be hard to fix. In such cases, consult an expert who can help diagnose the problem. This should be your course of action for commercial equipment as well so that a commercial appliance repair Northern VA expert can take a lot at the equipment and repair it.

Burners Won’t Turn On After Rearranging

Sometimes, electric cooktops may experience problems like burners not turning on after being rearranged. It could be that a burner needed replacement and you found a proper replacement. However, the sequence or the way the burner is arranged might be causing complications while turning it on.

You should consult the user manual and try to find out the proper arrangement. If that does not fix the problem, you will need to check the fuse box. It could be that you didn’t shut down the unit before replacing the burner, which caused it to trip the circuit breaker. To fix the issue, you can also contact the manufacturer.

Burners Won’t Turn Off

A much more serious problem with electric cooktops is their failure to turn off once you are done cooking. Electric cooktops are made to handle extreme amounts of heat but not for prolonged periods. If the burners or coils do not turn off, it might cause the unit to blow and catch fire.

Therefore, you should immediately shut down the cooktop from the main power supply. Once you have managed to turn off the burner, you will need to call an expert for repairs before using the stove again. Then again, in such situations, the best thing you can do is unplug the stove which will shut off the power supply to the burners.

Keep in mind that there could be a possibility of electric fluctuation as well. You should wear a protective glove or something similar to prevent burns. Let the cooktop cool down before you can turn it on again.

Sparks Or Flames

Electric cooktops are generally considered safe cooking appliances but can run into unexpected situations when you least expect them to. For instance, electric cooktops have been reported to have produced sparks or flames. This is yet again another serious issue that needs immediate attention.

An electric cooktop sparking or producing flames could mean something is amiss. You will need to check the cooktop for faulty wiring, a defective burner, or a blown fuse. To fix the issue, you will need to check the supply of electricity and related electric components like the fuse, circuit breaker, etc.

It could also be that the burners or coils are the problem. Instead of playing around and risking injuries, you should hand over the task to a professional who will fix the issue within a few moments.

Inconsistent Heat

Electric cooktops can sometimes run into problems that can be irritating for a regular user. For instance, your electric cooktop might experience inconsistent heat or may not be evenly cooking the food. This is a simple issue to fix as the heating elements might be an issue.

To find out the reason behind the issue, you will first need to check the signs. If the cooktop is experiencing inconsistent heat, you will need to check the coils to see if they are turning on and red. The elements might take longer to illuminate, which usually indicates a problem with an internal component.

If you notice that the coils stay cold, you will need to check the connection between them and the cooktop along with the ignition as they might be loose. Or, it could also be the burners as they don’t last forever.

However, if your cooktop stays on high heat only, you may need to replace the energy regulator, also called the infinite switch.

Poor Maintenance

It is a common misconception amongst homeowners that electric cooktops do not need maintenance. The fact is that oil, dirt, dust, and other factors can accumulate inside or on the burners and coils, making it difficult to function. The only way to prevent such issues is by thoroughly cleaning and ensuring the unit is maintained.

Fortunately, maintaining an electric cooktop is not that difficult if you are willing to put in some time every day at the end of the day. All you need to do is clean. Use a cleaning agent, grab a soft cloth, and gently clean the cooktop. It should not take a couple of minutes to fully and properly clean the unit.

The Cooktop Is Old

Finally, if your electric cooktop is regularly experiencing problems, it means it has neared or completed its lifespan. In this case, you can’t do much but consider a replacement. Instead of spending money on expensive repairs and replacements, you should save it and invest it in a new unit.

Electric cooktops are both efficient and effective units with a limited lifespan attached to them. You cannot expect them to last forever even if they are maintained properly.

Conclusion

We mentioned the common signs your electric stove top is faulty. However, if the cooktop is old enough, you should replace it instead of repairing it. Always consult the user manual and a cooktops repair Springfield technician before fixing complicated problems. Electric cooktops might appear harmless but can lead to serious burns. And, do not forget maintenance to prevent such issues from popping up in the future.