How to Clean Corroded Electrode Contacts on a Stove

Stove electrode contacts at the tip of surface burners may corrode and lose contact with the power sockets if left untreated, resulting in poor performance or elements that do not heat at all. Causes of corroded electrodes include high humidity and food spills that are not thoroughly cleaned. Use a weak acid such as white vinegar to dissolve corrosion and to clean the electrodes so you do not have to replace heating elements.

White vinegar
Cotton swabs
Clean cloth
Steel wool (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug the stove's power cord, or switch off electricity to the stove at the circuit breaker or fuse box.
- 2
  Pull cooled heating elements, or burner coils, out of their power connection sockets by lifting each heating element at an angle and pulling it straight out. The electrode contacts are the two tips at one end of each heating element.
- 3
  Apply white vinegar to each heating element's two electrode contacts with a cotton swab. The vinegar will loosen and remove corrosion. Wipe the electrode contacts dry with a clean cloth, and repeat the vinegar treatment if necessary.
- 4
  Brush heavy corrosion with a small piece of steel wool to clean the electrode contacts down to bare metal. Wipe the electrode contacts clean with the cloth
- 5
  Swab the power connection sockets with white vinegar while the electricity to the stove remains shut off. Wipe the sockets with a clean cloth, and let them air-dry.
- 6
  Plug each heating element's electrode contacts into its power connection sockets. Turn on electricity to the stove.

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