Electric Range & Cooktop - Sensi-Temp Coil Burners Not Working

Starting in 2018, electric ranges and cooktops that feature plug-in coil surface elements use Sensi-Temp Technology to help reduce the risk of oil and grease fires.

• Each plug-in coil surface element (burner) has a medallion with a button (sensor) in the center of the coil. This button must contact the bottom of the cookware for the Sensi-Temp Technology to sense the temperature properly.

• When the sensor detects a pan temperature near the limit (450 degree Fahrenheit), the burner will shut off automatically until a lower, safe pan temperature is reached. At that point, heat will resume to the burner.

• This should not affect everyday cooking as the automatic shut-off is temporary and only happens at very high temperatures.

• During the temporary automatic shut-off:

  1. The burner will cycle ON (bright red) and OFF (dark) to maintain safe cooking temperatures.

  2. When cycling OFF, the burner retains enough heat to continue cooking. The burner will cycle back ON automatically.

  3. This cycling will continue during the entire cooking time.

 

To avoid overcooking, remove pans from the burner when the food is cooked. Avoid placing anything on the burner until it has cooled completely.

 

If the coil burner seems to not be working and it does not seem to be a part of the normal operation described above, you can check the following:

1. Ensure the coil is clean and dry.

   • Food soil can obstruct the Sensi-Temp Technology.

   • Clean any food and cooking residue from the coil when it is cool using a damp, soapy cloth. To clean the Sensi-Temp Technology button (sensor), wipe with a damp sponge or cloth.

2. Ensure the cookware is flat.

   • The button in the center of the medallion must make contact with the bottom of the cookware.

   • Use a ruler or any flat edge to gauge the flatness of the bottom of the cookware.

3. Ensure the coil works.

   • Press gently on the center medallion on the coil and release it. It should rise and fall. If it does not, test the receptacle by removing the non-working coil from its receptacle and inserting it into another working receptacle (same size) on the cooktop.

   • • If the non-working coil does not work in the other receptacle, then a new coil burner is needed. If needed, you can purchase a new coil burner from our GE Appliances Parts & Accessories website.

     • If the non-working coil does work in the other receptacle, then the original receptacle will need to be checked by service. For repair service, you can schedule a service appointment with GE Appliances Factory Service.

 

The following video shows how to replace a Sensi-Temp coil burner: