Why does only one burner on my old electric stove stop working?

A single dead burner in an older Des Plaines home built between 1950 and 1985 is most often a symptom of 240V receptacle wear behind the stove, not the heating element itself. The receptacle has two hot legs, and when one leg loses connection due to oxidation or weakened blade tension, the burners drawing from that leg fail while the others keep working. Replacing the heating element without checking the receptacle produces a repeat failure within months. A proper diagnostic measures voltage at the receptacle under load before replacing any internal stove component.

How can I tell if it is the stove or the wiring causing the problem?

The fastest indicator is whether the failure pattern follows the burner or the position. If a known-good heating element swapped into a non-working position still does not heat, the problem is upstream at the receptacle, terminal block, or wiring path rather than the element. Other signals that point to wiring include slow heating across multiple burners, intermittent breaker tripping, burning smells near the stove receptacle, and visible heat damage to the cord or outlet. A technician with a multimeter rules out wiring in 15 to 20 minutes before assessing the appliance itself.

Is it safe to keep using an electric stove with intermittent burner problems?

No. Intermittent electric stove behavior in older Des Plaines homes is often a sign of arcing at the receptacle or terminal block, which generates heat and can ignite nearby insulation or framing. The City of Des Plaines and Illinois state electrical code both treat overheating receptacles as a fire hazard requiring immediate attention. Signs that warrant unplugging the stove include burning smells, visible discoloration on the outlet, warm or hot outlet faceplates, sparking at the plug, or repeated breaker trips. Stop using the stove and schedule professional service the same day.

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