FIXED KitchenAid KODE500ESS - Top Oven, heating element exploded

[corywingerter]

Model Number

KODE500ESS

Brand

KitchenAid

Age

1-5 years

Top oven in the double oven, Heating element just exploded spectaturaly while pre-heating. Saw this particular part be BRIGHT orange and some sparks flying. Is this a DIY thing or do I have to call a pro? Also is there anything else I need to worry about or does this sort of thing just kind of happen?

 

[Dan O.]

Heating element just exploded spectaturaly while pre-heating.

Elements will often light up like a fireworks sparkler when they fail. You can read about element failures at the following link:

These links are pertinent to this topic. They were supplied by this message author. Please peruse them.

Appliance411 FAQ: Testing a Range/Stove/Oven/Cooktop Element

An electric range's element is basically just a resistance wire suspended inside of a hard metal alloy (see picture). When power is applied to it, the resistance wire generates heat which is conducted to the element's outer sheath where it can be absorbed by the cooking utensil or the air inside...

www.appliance411.com

does this sort of thing just kind of happen?

Yes.

Is this a DIY thing

It is usually one of the simplest repairs a novice can do. There can be some possible gotchas as described the following link. Be sure to shut OFF the breakers before servicing!

These links are pertinent to this topic. They were supplied by this message author. Please peruse them.

Appliance411 FAQ: How do I replace an oven element?

Most oven elements have a mounting plate that attaches to the oven cavity interior at the rear. That mounting plate it usually held in place by 2 screws which go through it into the rear oven liner. In the case of broil elements, there may also be 1-2 additional screws mounted vertically into...

www.appliance411.com

This is the broil element for your model:

LINK > KODE500ESS00 Broil Element # W10804429

Also is there anything else I need to worry about

It might have damaged the electronic control but you won't know that until the replacement element is installed. There's nothing in the oven that would have caused it, just a part failure.


Dan O.

 

[corywingerter]

I've ordered the part, will take a crack at it when I get the piece in. The whole unit is off now, might turn the breaker back on and see if the front electric panel still works. Otherwise I might be back with more questions !

 

[Dan O.]

It is not necessarily the whole control that could be damaged (although a possibility), it may just be the circuit for the broil element. I wouldn't suggest you attempt to use that oven with the failed element still in the circuit.

Dan O.

 

[corywingerter]

We're back in business! Fix was pretty easy, went in through the front so didn't have to pull the whole unit out. Took about 30mins total.

Thanks Dan!

 

[Dan O.]

Glad to hear it. As I said, it is usually one of the simplest repairs a novice can do. Just about anything else is more involved.

Thanks for the followup.

Dan O.