Domakihub How to Replace an Oven Element Yourself
Save time and money by swapping a faulty bake or grill element in under 30 minutes.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
A burned-out oven element is one of the most common appliance faults in Greek homes, holiday villas, and hotel kitchens — and it looks far more intimidating than it actually is. The video above walks through the full replacement in real time; the steps below give you a clear sequence you can follow at your own pace. No specialist tools and no electrician required, as long as you follow safe isolation procedure.
How to Tell the Element Has Failed
A faulty bake element usually announces itself clearly: the oven runs noticeably cooler than the set temperature, food takes much longer than usual, or you see a visible burn mark, blister, or crack on the element itself. In some cases the element trips the circuit breaker the moment the oven is switched on. All of these point to the same fix.
Do a quick visual check before ordering a part. Open the oven cold, remove the lower rack, and shine a torch along the full length of the element. Any gap, dark spot, or deformation confirms it has failed. If the element looks intact but the oven still under-heats, the fault may lie with the thermostat or selector switch — a different repair entirely.
Choosing the Right Replacement Element
Oven elements are not universal. You need one matched to your exact make and model, which is printed on a label inside the door frame or on the back panel behind the oven. Note the brand, model number, and the wattage shown on the original element (typically 1,000–2,500 W). Greek appliance spare-parts suppliers stock elements for Miele, Siemens, Candy, Ariston, Bosch, and most other brands common here; international online retailers are a reliable backup for less common models.
Buy an element rated to the same wattage and with the same terminal spacing as the original. A mismatch in wattage will affect cooking performance; a mismatch in terminal spacing means the wiring harness will not reach. If you are replacing the element in a fan oven, make sure the replacement is the fan (circular) element rather than a straight bake element — they are not interchangeable.
How to Replace an Oven Element: Step-by-Step
- 1
Isolate the power completely
Switch the oven off at the control knob, then turn off the dedicated circuit breaker in your fuse box — or unplug the oven from the wall if it uses a standard plug. Never rely on the oven's own off switch alone. Wait at least 15 minutes if the oven has been used recently; elements retain heat and can cause burns.
- 2
Remove the oven racks and unscrew the element
Slide out all oven racks so you have unobstructed access. The element is held in place by two screws at the back wall of the oven cavity — usually Philips or Torx head. Remove both screws and keep them safe. Gently pull the element forward; it will slide about 10–15 cm toward you, giving you enough slack to reach the wire terminals behind it.
- 3
Disconnect the wiring terminals
Behind the element you will find two spade connectors pushed onto metal terminals. Take a photo with your phone before disconnecting anything — this is your reference if the wires look similar. Grip each spade connector at its base (not the wire itself) and pull it straight off the terminal. The element is now free.
- 4
Fit and connect the new element
Slide the spade connectors firmly onto the terminals of the new element — they should click or seat snugly with no play. Push the element back toward the rear wall, aligning the screw holes with the mounts, and refit both screws hand-tight then a quarter-turn with the screwdriver. Do not overtighten; the oven wall is often thin enamel-coated steel.
- 5
Test before putting the oven back into full use
Replace the oven racks, restore power at the breaker, and set the oven to 180 °C bake for ten minutes. Stand by and watch: a new element will often emit a faint smell or light smoke as factory coatings burn off — this is normal and clears within the first cycle. If the element glows evenly red and the oven reaches temperature, the job is done. If a breaker trips immediately, switch off and recheck that both terminals are fully seated and not touching the oven cavity wall.
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FAQ
- Do I need an electrician to replace an oven element in Greece?
- No — replacing an oven element is classified as appliance maintenance, not electrical installation work, so no licensed electrician is required. The key legal and safety requirement is that you isolate the supply at the circuit breaker before touching anything inside the oven. If the oven is hard-wired (no plug) and you are not comfortable working near the junction box, call a technician for that part only.
- How much does a replacement oven element cost?
- In Greece, a standard bake or grill element typically costs between €15 and €55 depending on brand. Elements for premium German brands (Miele, Gaggenau) can reach €80–€120. Factor in that a call-out fee for a repair technician often starts at €60–€80 before parts, so a DIY replacement pays for itself immediately on most mid-range ovens.
- My oven has two elements — which one do I replace?
- Most electric ovens have a bake element (bottom, used for normal cooking) and a grill element (top, used for grilling and browning). Identify which one failed by checking which function stopped working: if bake mode under-heats but grill works, the bake element is faulty, and vice versa. Fan ovens add a third circular element at the back — if the fan runs but the oven does not heat on fan mode, that rear element is the culprit.