Electric skillets are one of the most versatile kitchen appliances. They are portable and easy to use. You can also use them for years with minimal issues. It is inevitable that after a while, some problems may surface.
The handle may get broken, or the heating isn’t as good as before. Maybe the skillet surface has become darker due to frequent use. But that doesn’t mean you need to throw away the old one and waste money on a brand-new skillet.
The solution to these problems is easy, and it will make your electric skillet good as brand new. Let’s check out some common electric skillet issues and how to fix them.
How Do I Fix My Electric Skillet?
Finding the issue with your electric skillet is straightforward. Many skillets stop working efficiently due to years of use and some problems are caused by accidents. Read ahead to know how to fix some common difficulties you may face with your electric skillet.
Broken Handle
When you use a kitchen appliance frequently, it is normal to have a small accident. Perhaps you dropped your electric skillet from the counter by accident, or it fell from your hand. Now, your skillet’s handle is broken. Mishaps like these happen frequently. Don’t worry too much because the solution is straightforward. You shouldn’t carry your skillet by picking it up from the bottom. Holding a warm product may cause further accidents. The simple steps for fixing a broken handle are given below.
1. Order a new handle from your electric skillet company website. If you can’t find one, use the skillet model number to look for something close.
2. Set the electric skillet upside down on a flat surface.
3. Remove the screws of broken handles on the bottom of the skillet. Throw out the damaged parts.
4. Place the new handles by lining up the handle holes and openings on the skillet.
5. Put in the new screws and fasten until tight. But don’t keep tightening after the screws are secure. It can lead to handles cracking due to pressure.
Discoloration
Another common problem many skillets owners face is the discoloration of the pan. As most electric skillets are non-stick, it blackens over time due to the heating process. It doesn’t mean your skillet is dirty and should be thrown out.
The solution is easy and only requires household items. The guide to fixing discolored skillets is as below.
1. The solution recipe is 2 cups of water and 2 tbsp. of dishwashing powder detergent. For 16-inch skillets, use double amounts.
2. Boil the water in the skillet.
3. Turn down the heat to simmer, which is between 200o F and a warm temperature setting. Keep reducing the heat till the pilot light turns off.
4. Stir in the detergent slowly and simmer for about 20 minutes. Don’t cover the skillet during this time.
5. Remove the solution from the electric skillet and wash it using warm and soap-filled water.
6. Rinse the skillet and dry it out.
7. When you use the skillet the next time after this treatment, make sure to wipe the pan with vegetable oil.
Heat Problem
If you feel your electric skillet isn’t heating up properly, you need to find out the cause. There are several reasons why it may happen.
Firstly, ensure that the outlet power connection is on when you’re cooking. Check if your power connection is stable and exactly the voltage the skillet manual has mentioned. If the heat still doesn’t work, there are a few ways to determine what needs to be checked.
Heat Control
If there’s no problem with the power connection, then it is likely a heat control issue. After years of use, they are bound to get weaker. You need to check if your heat control has worn out or not.
The primary reason why heat controls may stop working is food waste. Things like pancake batter or sticky food are prone to seeping and messing up the heating element. Most of the time, a simple cleaning will fix it.
Check Heat Control:
1. Fill your skillet with water up to the halfway mark. Turn on the heat control and set the temperature. Wait for some time for the water to reach that temperature.
2. Use a cooking or candy thermometer in the skillet to test the actual heat. If it doesn’t match the heat control indicated temperature after a while, the heating issue lies with that part.
Fix Heat Control:
1. Disconnect the heat control. Open the housing and connect the thermostat terminals with a multimeter that is set on RX1. RX1 means resistance times one. Link the multimeter probes and terminals.
2. If the heat control is set at ON, the meter reading should be near zero ohms.
3. You need to clean the heat control by removing any food particles or remnants. Use fine sandpaper to polish.
4. Connect the heat control again and check if it works properly or not.
5. If it still doesn’t work properly, you need to change the heat control altogether and buy an exact replacement.
Electric Cord:
If your heating still doesn’t work after cleaning or replacing the heat control, the problem may be the electric cord. Examine the at cord carefully and check for breaking or creaking.
If the power is on and the cord doesn’t work, you need to replace it. Sometimes, cables get damaged after a long period of use. All you need to do is buy a new replacement cord and change it.
Video Tips: How To Repair A Damaged Electrical Cord Safely
CAUTIONS BEFORE FIXING? It’s Easy If You Do It Smart
Check Manual: Always read the manual thoroughly before attempting to fix the skillet. Look for the required voltage and warranty.
Disconnect: Unless you’re boiling water to clean the pan or test your skillet’s heat control, do not connect it to a power outlet while cleaning it. Always check several times to avoid more significant accidents.
Avoid Wet Hands: Don’t touch the heating control with wet hands. Try to avoid water while fixing the skillet unless the solution calls for it.
Power Cord: Don’t get the electric cord wet under any circumstances. It shouldn’t touch hot surfaces.
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you know how to fix your electric skillet properly. The most critical steps are identifying the issue and taking precautions before handling it. Electric skillets are multi-purpose appliances that can be used for a long time. So, it’s not surprising they wear out over time.
Instead of throwing out your trusted skillet, figure out what’s wrong and take steps to fix it. Replacing a part and thoroughly cleaning the appliance will increase the life span of the electric skillet significantly. Knowing how to fix them saves you the hassle of buying a new one.