Definition
A heating element is a coiled or sheathed resistance wire that heats up when electrical current flows through it. In an electric dryer, the element warms the airstream that dries clothes; in an electric oven, the bake and broil elements radiate heat into the cavity. When an element burns out, the appliance still runs but produces no heat.
What It Does
Electric current passes through a high-resistance wire (typically nichrome) and the wire converts that electrical energy to heat by resistive losses. In dryers, the element is housed in a steel can and ambient air is drawn across it before passing into the drum. In ovens, the element is a calrod — a coiled wire encased in a magnesium-oxide insulator inside a stainless steel sheath — that glows red-hot during bake and broil operations.
Where It’s Located
Dryer: behind the rear panel inside a square steel housing (Whirlpool, Samsung, LG) or below the drum (Maytag). Oven: bake element on the floor of the cavity, broil element at the top. Brand examples: Whirlpool/KitchenAid use 308180 series oven elements; GE/Hotpoint use WB44T10010 series; Samsung NX-series ovens use brand-specific elements.
Common Failure Signs
- Dryer runs full cycle but clothes come out cold and damp
- Visible break or burn spot on the element coil
- Oven preheats but never reaches setpoint, or temperature is far off
- Bake element glows in only one section
- Element bulged, sagging, or sparked when energized
Typical Replacement Cost
$180–$340 including parts and labor. Dryer elements are $35–$95; oven bake elements are $45–$140. Faster-turnover brands like Samsung and LG sometimes need OEM-only parts which can push costs higher.
DIY vs Pro
DIY for confident owners. Oven elements are usually two screws and two wire connections inside the cavity — 15 minutes. Dryer elements take 30–45 minutes and require removing the rear panel. Always confirm continuity with a multimeter before ordering parts. For oven repair or dryer repair, common elements are stocked on the truck.
Need this part replaced? Call (720) 447-8577 for same-day dryer repair in the Denver metro area.