How to Test a Smoker (or really any) Heating Element!

Basics on how to check to see if your heater element is bad or good.

[halfcooked]

Thanks for this video. I finally started checking my element. Just wanted to throw this out there for anyone else who is having an issue with their electric smoker tripping GFCI/breaker. I had just taken the cover off the back of my smoker to check the wires connecting to the element. One side had debris inside the connection and the terminal was slightly loose. Cleaned it out and squeezed the terminal together a bit for a snug fit, and my issue was resolved. Hopefully this helps anyone else having this issue.

[mitmaks]

Tested mine and old one showed same exact resistance as new one. Replaced it and now its working great

[Cappilot]

I Pulled my heating element today and that was the problem. I plugged up the smoker with the heating element out of the smoker and it did not pop the circuit breaker. Thx for explaining how to use the meter for this check. Very Helpful!!!

[dstallings]

Thank you for the video. My smoker won’t heat and I need to check my element. I was just going to check the continuity and didn’t think about it maybe being grounded out.

[cfpapa]

Thank you ^^
I solved the problem in Korea

[davidmorin]

Mine was just like that. Thanks for you insight.

[keithrietz]

This is exactly what i needed to know. Thanks!

[thegulagarchipelago]

OL stands for open link. Not "out of limits " or as some calls it over load...

[LadyWeasel]

Thank you! I'm going to try this.

[nickklaas]

Thanks for a quick and to the point video. 👍👍

[mikemidcap]

Very helpful, thanks! FYI, the “OL” on your multimeter stands for “open loop” not out of limits.

[armandodavila]

Thank you for this info.
my problem its that my masterbuild electric smoker stop working and can't get it to work check the element just like you it looks new we only have used like 4 times replace the control and nothing
I m temp ted to open up the back and see what I can find. Any suggestion's??

[tangling]

After reading comments, watching the video, not being an electrician, but wanting to learn how to do things like this, what do you set the multimeter on to get readings? Some comments here say dont check continuity, check this or that, got a little side tracked.
Thanks in advance if you answer. Otherwise vid is good. Thx.

[gardengrower]

I know this comment is quite past the post date of the video, but I'm hoping you see it. I have a Big Chief electric smoker that is tripping a GFCI outlet in my garage. It has a 450 watt heating element. I just did the tests you show here and the readings look perfect (32 ohms between the two leads) and 1 when I touch one lead and the other to the metal casing on the element. The plug that the element goes to has three connectors, but the heating element only has two leads to connect out on. I am confused what would trip a breaker if the element is good. Any ideas are very much appreciated.

[reakoe]

Can you splice the cord or what cord do I get—cant find on masterbuilt

[fjimmel]

I have a Masterbuilt 30" brand new and it will not hold temperature. Set at 275 it shuts off and goes to 260 and starts back to 275 once there it shuts off and goes to 260 and starts all over again. Is this normal. It's not cooking the meat in my three attempts, I have never had a smoker before. Thanking you in advance . It has a digital control.

[MrSteppingstone]

Hi.
the ground wire for the burner you mentioned after its connected to the burner where does it get attached too on the other end
Thanks

[reakoe]

How do you change electric cord for smoker—ran over with mower

[mikepedersen]

Test resistive loads you need to check not continuity. If its not pulling amps its trash