Electric Range - Surface Seems Too Hot on Coil Burner Models

To minimize the possibility of electric shock, unplug this appliance from the power supply before attempting any maintenance or cleaning.
 

Items to Check If the Surface Seems Too Hot

If it seems like the surface of your Electric Range with coil burners is too hot, we do have some suggestions to offer for this situation. Please check the tips below if the Range surface seems too hot.
 

Oven Vent Is Misplaced Or Covered

On Electric Ranges with Calrod coils (heating coil elements rather than a smooth, ceramic glass cooktop), the oven vents from beneath the right or left rear burner and may also vent from the top of the oven door. If the offset oven vent opening under the burner bowl is turned the wrong way, heat from the oven will divert under the cooktop rather than out from the right or left rear burner.
 
  • For help in properly positioning the offset oven vent, refer to the Owner's Manual for your specific model.
  • Avoid covering the left or right rear Calrod element with a decorative burner cover. This will cause heat to build up under the cooktop when the oven is in use.

Wrong Size Pan

Oversized pans will trap heat between the bottom of the pan and the cooktop surface. This will transfer a lot of heat to the cooktop.
 
  • Your pans should not hang over more than one inch on each side of any surface burner. For example, on an 8" burner the maximum pan size should not exceed 10". On a 6" burner, the pans should not be larger than 8".

Covered Drip Pans

Make sure the drip pans below the burners are uncovered. Covering the drip pans with aluminum foil will transfer more heat to the cooktop.
 

Drip Pan Type

Consider the type of drip pans you are using. Dark or porcelain coated drip pans can conduct more heat from the burner to the cooktop surface than bright aluminum drip pans under your Calrod coil burners.
 

Additional Appliance Support

For additional support, check out the following video:
 

Video - Moisture and Hot Surfaces – Coil Ranges

 
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These tips above will help with the proper use of the top cooking surface on your Range. On Ranges with a smooth glass top cooking surface, please check out the article Electric Range - Surface Seems Too Hot on Radiant Cooktop Models.