How to Replace a Hot Plate Element on a Ceramic Cooker

If your hot plate is not heating or only half is heating it may be faulty. In this video Mat will show how to replace a faulty hot plate element on a ceramic cooker. If you’re unsure where to start don’t worry, we’ll talk you through how to successfully replace the hot plate element without damaging your hob and save you expensive repair call out.

This video shows an example on how to remove or replace the part on a typical machine, some models may be different but the procedure should be similar.

• Hotplate Element
• Screwdriver
• Box Cutter or sharp blade
• Device to take photos on (i.e. camera)

Safety First! Please make sure that you have switched off or disconnected the appliance from the mains before beginning any repair.

Caution: Due to the sharp edges exposed we suggest suitable Safety Gloves are worn to help prevent injury when carrying out this repair.

Okay, let's do this… we need to gain access to the hotplate element. Start by removing the hob top from the cooker, which is usually secured in place with 4 screws. On some models, like the one shown in this video, you will now need to remove the plastic rivets so that the hob top can be lifted away.

Using either a long fingernail or a box cutter create a big enough gap, so that you can get a less sharp object in between to ease the rivet away from the hop top.

With all screws and rivets removed you will be able to lift up the hob top, however be careful as there may be a warning light still attached underneath. This should simply slip out and allow you to remove the hob top completely.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to identify if the element has failed, but usually you will see signs of damages inside the element itself or maybe the cut-out part across the top has tripped. Either way you'll need to replace the element.

Okay, so far it’s looking good. The next part is to remove the electrical wiring from the hotplate element and as seen in this video they are very complicated. Time for a eSpares Top Tip: take a photograph of the electrical connections for reference so that when you go back to put the electrical connections onto the new element you know exactly where they going.

Some of these electrical connections can be quite stiff so if required you can use a flat head screwdriver to just ease them off very gently.

Now with the element detached from all the electrical connections, you can lift the element out. However, as seen in the video the new element is not provided with the fixing bracket, so you will have to remove them from the old element before replacing them onto the new element.

Note: There are numbers around the outside of the element, which indicate the various different screw holes the brackets to go onto.

Now that both brackets have been fitted to the new element, it’s time to put things back together. Let's start with reattaching the element back onto the cooker bracket, before using your photograph to reconnect the electrical connections.

Now as this element is a compatible element, there is a slight difference where the black lead connects onto the electrical connector as shown in this video. On the original element you’ll see the black lead linked up with the end of the element, so on the new element reconnect the black lead to the connection at the end.

All that is left to do now is to refit the hob top back on, making sure that the warning light goes back into its position.

So there you have it, a big well done to you for all your hard work in replacing a new element on your cooker!

Need To Locate The Correct Hotplate Element For Your Cooker?

Here at eSpares, we have a wide-range of replacement universal and genuine hotplate element for you to select from - so you can soon be on your way to repairing it yourself.

If you need any other help for your appliances you can find more videos from Mat and the team at eSpares, who are always on hand with appliance repair advice in your time of need.