Hi,

I have a 15-years old electric cooker which served me well in the years that l had it, however recently l have noticed that food e.g. baked beans is taking a minute longer to come to the boil on the small plate in the front. Is this because of 'wear and tear' throughout the years or is it something else?

Cheers in advance.

A whole minute?

It probably is just getting older.

Yes, it could be that the element isn't getting quite as hot as it used to. That could be wear and tear, either on the element or the control knob.

But it could be due it being a bit cold at the moment. If your larder is colder then the beans may have a slight chill to them, giving longer boiling times. If your kitchen is colder than heat loss to the surrounding will be higher, leading to longer boiling times.

Thermostat or element wearing out, both can possibly be repaired if theres still spares around but i'd imagine by the time you've got it sorted you'll possibly of paid more than a brand new one.

For now, turn on the plate and then get the beans out and slap them in a pan giving it a few moments extra now its old to get up to speed.

Or buy a microwave for £25

You shouldn't boil baked beans.

Get one of the portable induction hobs currently in Lidl. Absolutely brilliant – faster than a kettle.

Is the element the same as the one which controls the heat in the oven? If so, this has been replaced in the last year as the food in the oven was cooking too quick!

I know but even if l turn the plate off when the baked beans are starting to come to the boil, they are lukewarm!

I presume it was the thermostat in the oven that was replaced, not the heating element.

The ring will have its own temperature control. Is this a traditional spiral ring, or one of those barely controllable solid plates, or something else?

I think you need to be doing a lot more stirring!

Yes it was. I was getting confused with the time l had to replace the fan heating element!