Electric stoves are a basic item in American kitchens, offering efficient cooking solutions. when your electric stove starts sparking, it can be alarming and even dangerous.
Usually, loose or faulty wiring and worn-out burner elements cause an electric stove sparking. Initially changing them can solve the issue. But if your stove still makes the sparking noise, that means there are many things you can blame.
Key Takeaway
Electric Stove Sparking: Reasons and Fixes
If you see your electric stove sparking, immediately turn off the power. Do not turn it on until it gets fixed or replaced.
There can be several reasons why your electric stove is sparking. Here are some reasons and fixes:
[Note: If you are not familiar with electrical components, it is highly suggested to call a professional].
1. Loose or Faulty Wirings:
If the electrical connections on your stove are loose, it can cause sparking. This is because the loose connections can create arcing, which is a type of electrical discharge that can ignite flammable materials. You can hear a clear sparking noise if the connections get loose.
If your stove has a digital display, check if the display is flickering. This will tell you the stove has a loose electrical connection in the stove’s control circuit.
And do not ignore it as a mild faulty display scenario. A kitchen stove or other high-powered equipment is significantly more dangerous when it has loose wiring.
FIX:
To fix it, call a specialist for an inspection and repair. And you can claim the warranty if the stove is in the warranty period.
2. Dirty or Greasy Components:
If food or grease gets on the heating elements, it can burn and cause sparking. Most of our foods contain salt and they are highly conductive.
If food gets stuck inside any of the circuit connections, it will make a sparking sound as it is conducting electricity.
This can cause an electrical short circuit if you keep this for a long time.
FIX:
To solve this issue you have to clean the food that got inside of the stove. Before going inside, make sure you unplug the stove and give it some time to cool down.
3. Electrical Short Circuits:
A short circuit can cause the heating elements in the stove to overheat. This can happen if the insulation on the electrical wires in the stove breaks down and the wires come into contact with each other.
When this happens, the current flows directly between the wires, bypassing the heating elements. This can cause the heating elements to overheat and spark, which can be a fire hazard.
If you encounter this don’t try to fix it by yourself without proper gear. Call a qualified electrician to inspect and fix the stove.
4. Damaged or Worn-Out Burner Coils:
The heating elements on your stove are made of metal coils that heat up when electricity is passed through them. Over time, these coils can become cracked or broken. When this happens, it can cause sparking.
FIX:
To fix this, first make sure you have unplugged the stove. Then take out the old coils and replace them with the new ones. Watch this video to have a full visual guide.
Sometimes it would be hard to get inside the stove as many manufacturers make their electric stoves in different ways. But if you follow the manual, you can easily change the burner coils.
5. Old or Faulty Outlets:
old outlets can have loose or corroded wiring. This can cause the outlet to overheat and spark. And the old outlets in your home may not be able to handle the amount of current that an electric stove draws. This can cause the outlet to overload and spark.
Also, faulty outlets may have cracks that expose the wiring. This can create a short circuit, which can cause the outlet to spark. This is bad for the stove’s long-term health too.
So make sure to replace the faulty and old outlet that your electric stove is plugged in. This can fix the issue. Use surge protectors for your electronic stove. And avoid plugging multiple high-wattage appliances into the same outlet.
6. Power Surges and Voltage Fluctuations
Power surges can be caused by lightning strikes, power grid problems, or even turning on a large appliance, such as an air conditioner or refrigerator. When a power surge occurs, the extra voltage can flow through the electric stove’s heating elements and cause them to spark.
When a voltage fluctuation occurs, it can cause the electric stove’s heating elements to receive too much or too little voltage. This can make your electric stove spark.
To fix this you have to call an electrician to check your home’s electrical system. Use surge protectors for your electronic stove to equal the sudden power surges and voltage drops.
7. Worn-out Insulation
The insulation on the electrical wires in your stove can wear out over time. When this happens, it can expose the wires and create a risk of sparking. If your electric stove is very old, this is a common thing that you can encounter.
Fixing this can be costly as all of your stove’s electrical wires will be changed. So if this happens it is better to change the stove.
Related Post: My Glass Top Stove Burner Gets Too Hot: Discovering the Reason and The Fixation
Frequently Asked Questions -FAQs
What to do when your electric stove sparks?
The basic thing to do is to turn off the power to your stove and change the heating coil as soon as possible.
Why is my electric stove sparking by itself?
Usually, a broken electric coil produces sparks in electric stoves.
Is it normal for an electric stove to smoke??
If your electric stove emits gas, that means the stove has a dirty burner. To fix this make sure to clean the burner and the coils.
Why is my electric stove crackling?
Electric stoves can make crackling sounds because the steel panels heat up and expand. And that makes the cracking noise.
