No power to upper oven 'bake' heating element.

If your built-in electric oven is getting to temperature and then quitting during a bake cycle, and the upper heating element is not working during the bake cycle but works on the broil setting, it is possible that the problem is with the bake element. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take:

1. Check the bake element: The bake element is the heating element located at the bottom of the oven. To check if the bake element is working properly, turn on the oven and set it to bake mode. Open the oven door and look at the bake element. It should be glowing red. If it is not, then the bake element is likely faulty and needs to be replaced.
2. Check the oven temperature sensor: The oven temperature sensor is a small probe that is located inside the oven. Its job is to monitor the temperature inside the oven and communicate that information to the oven's control board. If the sensor is faulty, it may cause the oven to shut off prematurely. You can test the sensor with a multimeter to see if it is working properly. If it is not, then it needs to be replaced.
3. Check the oven control board: If both the bake element and the oven temperature sensor are working properly, then the problem may be with the oven's control board. The control board is responsible for controlling the oven's heating elements and other functions. If it is faulty, it may be shutting off the oven prematurely. In this case, the control board will need to be replaced.

It is recommended to hire a qualified technician to perform these tests and replace any faulty parts to avoid any risks of electrical shock or damage to the oven.

the cooking I can't help with, but the oven I can.

sounds to me like the bottom element or what controls it is not working. the reason the ones on top are cooking is that the top element is coming on and browning them on top after the heat has made the dow rise and cook.
so essentially everything is cooking from the top down. so when the temp drops its using the top element to heat with and thus browns the top rack.

check ur elements to make sure both work, if so, move on to the thermostat which I have to be the culprit many times.

It does sound like the element may be bad. The control will cycle the bake and broil elements to even the heat in the oven. if the element is out the oven won't heat well.

The top element may be burned out. That is the most common cause.

The upper element is for broiling and should not come on until you tell it broil. If it is coming on as soon as you turn on the breaker then it sounds like the printed circuit control board is bad. There is a relay on the board that engages when you program in the broiler. The relay can be hard to find and may not be removable. My broiler would come on when I programmed in the bake mode, go into runaway heat, put up a F10 code, and shut off. I could not clear it until I programmed in the clean mode for 2 hours. Now it works great.

Can you be more concise? Baking and broiling? upper and lower element if electric? model? age?

the broil element
is the heating element that is found at the top of the oven and produces a very high heat for broiling. If the broil element isn't working, you should first do a visual inspection for signs that the element has blistered or separated. If the element appears normal then you can check for continuity with a multi-meter. Remove power from the appliance before performing this test. Remove the back panel and locate the terminals for the broil element and inspect the terminals and wires for signs of overheating or damage.

If there is no continuity then the element will need to be replaced. If the wires are damaged then they will need to be repaired. If the element is ok then you will need to check the broil circuit to determine the cause. This involves live voltage checks and should only be performed by qualified persons. Components to check include fuses, if the range is equipped, and oven control thermostat or electronic control. Depending on the manufacturer of the element, you will normally read between 19 ohms and 115 ohms


The bake element
is the heating element that is found at the bottom of the oven. Most electric ovens use both the bake element and the broil element in a bake cycle, with the bake element performing 90% of the heating. If the bake element isn't working, the oven may not heat. To help determine if the bake element is defective you should first do a visual check. If the element is blistered or separated then it should be replaced. If the element appears to look normal, then turn the oven on to a bake function for a minute and then turn it off.

Check the element for signs of heating and if it is still cold then it may be defective. Disconnect the power and then remove the back panel. First check the wires as they may have become loose or corroded. If the element appears to be fine visually, test it for continuity with a multi-meter. ( by placing the each of the meter prongs on each end of the heater element connectors) If the element is burned or no longer has continuity, it will need to be replaced. Depending on the manufacturer of the element, you will normally read between 19 ohms and 115 ohms

The oven safety valve
(also called the gas valve) is the part that ensures that gas is not released until the igniter has reached the correct temperature needed to ignite the gas. While this part can fail, it is uncommon. If the hot surface igniter does not glow you should first verify that you have voltage to the circuit. This is a live voltage check and should be performed by a qualified person. If voltage is lost at the valve terminals then you should verify the continuity of the bi-metal in the valve using a multi-meter.
I offer free advice bcuz God is so good!

A common problem is the heating element goes bad. I have had this happen and you can see a spot on the heating element which looks different from the rest of the element (a clue).

Many ovens have two heating elements. Upper and lower. Now I am no Julia Child, but I think bake turns on just the lower heating element? And broil turns on just the top heating element????

So I suppose you might have it on bake and it is not working. Might try broil and see if that works. If yes, then you are getting power through all the controls to the upper heating element, so good chance just the lower heating element is bad.

If you don't get heat to either the upper or lower heating element, then I would suspect the wiring or a control.

So far as the heating element, you should be able to remove it and using an ohm meter, get some sort of reading if it is good (I have no idea what though). Or open circuit if bad.

Also the insulation on older ranges can "melt" back exposing live wires! This is of course very dangerous and the wiring should only be replaced with high heat range wiring which I assume you could get at an appliance store?

Or the contacts on a control/switch could be bad. I would test this with a continuity tester or ohm meter.

Many appliances have a wiring diagram down low somewhere. Or might find it online.

What do you mean by, "properly"?
Is it heating or not at all?
Is it not hot enough, or too hot?
Upper element is for broil. It may come on briefly during bake, but usually at half power. It doesn't glow red.
Does the bottom element glow red? If not, inspect lower element, which is the bake element, for pits and rough spots. These may be signs of failure.
UNPLUG STOVE!! Remove bake element and check for continuity. If it shows open, replace. You can probably take to parts store and they can test it for you.

Shaffy, When baking only the bake element should heat. When broiling only the broil element (upper) should heat. Your oven is a Kitchenaid, you have a 5 year warranty on any electronic element or control board. You may have a temperature sensor that is not working right. The oven just might need to be calibrated, the instructions would be in your owners manual. Your bake element might be failing, it would have to be ohmed out. You also need to verify that the bake element is getting 240V. when turned on. Catriver...post back