My electric barbecue won’t switch on – how can I fix it?
Is your electric barbecue refusing to switch on just when the merguez sausages are waiting for their moment of glory? Are none of the indicator lights coming on and is the heating element staying hopelessly cold ? Don’t panic – there could be several reasons for this fault. Before you declare the barbecue season over or replace your appliance, a few simple checks can help you identify the cause of the problem.
THE POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR THIS FAULT:
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The plug or power lead is worn
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The heating element has failed
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The thermal fuse is faulty
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The thermostat is not working properly
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The switch is faulty
WARNING
Before you do anything to your appliance, make sure you disconnect it from the power supply. There is a risk of electric shock.
The plug or power lead is worn
The electric barbecue needs to be properly connected to the mains to work. If the mains socket or the power lead is damaged, electricity will no longer reach the appliance’s various components. Start by checking that the wall socket is working properly by plugging another electrical appliance into it. Next, check the condition of the power lead. If it shows signs of wear, cuts, burns or exposed wires, this may be the cause of the fault. If the cable is damaged or there is a loose connection, it must be replaced to restore power to the barbecue.
The heating element has failed
The heating element is the component responsible for generating the heat required for cooking. On some models, a major fault with the heating element assembly may prevent the barbecue from starting at all. After unplugging the appliance, visually inspect the heating element. Any deformation, burn marks or visible breakage may indicate that it is faulty. If the heating element is broken or no longer has electrical continuity, it will need to be replaced to restore normal operation.
Buy an electric barbecue heating element
The thermal fuse is faulty
Some electric barbecues are fitted with a safety fuse designed to cut off the power supply in the event of overheating or an electrical fault. Once the fuse has blown, the appliance will no longer start. The thermal fuse is usually located near the heating element or the main electrical circuit. You can check its condition using a multimeter by carrying out a continuity test. To do this, place the multimeter’s test leads on each end of the fuse. If the multimeter displays a value close to 0 Ω or emits an audible beep, the fuse is in good working order. However, if no reading is displayed and no beep is heard, the fuse has blown and is no longer allowing current to pass through. In this case, you must replace the fuse with one that has exactly the same specifications to ensure the appliance’s safety.
The thermostat is not working properly
The thermostat regulates the barbecue’s temperature by controlling the power supply to the heating element. If it is faulty, it may prevent the appliance from heating up or even from switching on, depending on the model. A faulty thermostat may result in a complete lack of heating or a barbecue that remains inactive despite receiving the correct power supply. To check its condition, you can carry out a continuity test using a multimeter. Start by disconnecting the terminals from the thermostat, then place the multimeter probes on each of its terminals. If the multimeter displays a value close to 0 Ω or emits an audible beep, the thermostat is in good working order. However, if no value is displayed and no beep is heard, the thermostat is faulty and will need to be replaced.
Buy an electric barbecue thermostat
On appliances fitted with a main switch, the thermostat is usually left on at all times. For models equipped with a temperature control knob, an additional check can be carried out. Taking the necessary precautions due to the presence of electrical current, measure the voltage across the heating element whilst adjusting the thermostat’s position. The multimeter should then display a voltage of approximately 230 to 240 V, or at least a value other than 0 V. If no voltage is measured regardless of the thermostat’s position, the thermostat is likely to be at fault.
The switch is faulty
The switch is used to switch the barbecue on. Over time, its electrical contacts may wear out or become oxidised, preventing the current from flowing properly. If your appliance is correctly powered but does not respond when you press the switch, this component may be the cause. You can check its condition using a multimeter by carrying out a continuity test. Place the multimeter’s test leads on the switch’s two terminals. It should display a reading close to 0 Ω or emit an audible beep, whilst in the other position, no reading should be displayed and no beep should be heard. If the multimeter displays no reading and does not beep in either position, the switch is open and no longer allows current to flow. Conversely, if it displays a reading close to 0 Ω or beeps in both positions, this means it is short-circuited. The switch is therefore faulty and will need to be replaced so that your electric barbecue can work properly again.