Electric Range - Removing Plug-In or Tilt-Lock Coil Burners

Some electric ranges have coil heating elements on the cooktop surface. While modern electric ranges predominantly have ceramic glass cooktop surfaces, there are still some models which feature coil burners.
 
Starting in 2018, UL (Underwriter's Laboratory) regulations require all electric coil top ranges to have temperature limiting capabilities to reduce the risk of cooktop oil and grease fires. As a result, all of our electric coil burners now use Sensi-Temp Technology.
 

Coil Burner Removal

Plug-In

Many electric coil elements plug into a burner receptacle. These are designed to be easily removed, or "unplugged". They are usually removed when cleaning the drip pan below the element. The coil needs to be removed in order to remove the drip pan. Another benefit of a plug-in coil is, should it break, it makes replacing the coil a quick and easy task. All Sensi-Temp coil burners are plug-in type burners.
 
To remove a plug-in coil burner:
 
  1. Push the burner back toward the receptacle.
  2. Lift the burner about 1 inch above the drip pan and pull it out.
NOTE: Repeated lifting of the coil burner more than 1 inch above the drip pan can permanently damage the receptacle.
 
To replace a plug-in coil burner:
 
  1. Replace the drip pan into the recess in the cooktop.
  2. Make sure the opening in the drip pan lines up with the receptacle.
  3. Insert the terminals of the burner through the opening in the drip pan and into the receptacle.
  4. Push the burner in and down so it rests evenly on the cooktop.

Tilt-Lock

A Tilt-Lock coil burner is designed to lift up for easy cleaning under the burner. They are hard-wired to the range. Tilt-Lock burners are not designed to be removed or "unplugged". Instead of a single, one piece drip pan, the Tilt-Lock burner typically has a burner trim ring and a burner pan below the coil. The Tilt-Lock coil raises up, remains attached to the surface, and the trim ring and pan are removed from the coil. Should this type of coil need to be replaced, service is recommended to do this.
 

Additional Coil Burner Support

  • A helpful tip - To clean the coil surface burners on an electric range:
  1. Set the control knob for the burner on HIGH.
  2. Allow any soil to burn off for approximately one minute.
  3. Turn the control knob to the OFF position.