Oven bake element - save some money!

[Jim Smith]

There is a common baking oven to many brands including Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAir, Jenn-Air, and others.  Your part number might be WP74003020 or 74003020 or ERB3020 or CH6406, or others.  There also is (almost) the same baking element that ends in 19 instead of 20.  For example: WP74003019, 740030196, ERB3019, etc.  These are identical elements EXCEPT FOR THE ENDS. 

[Jim Smith]

I can't figure out how to edit my post above, so I'll just continue...

So, the elements are the same except for the ends.  The more common and much cheaper part is the 19 ones.  This element has 1/4" male ends.  The more expensive element is the ones that end in 20 and have 1/4" female connectors.  While this seems to a reasonable person that both of these parts should be priced the same, they are not!

Google 74003019 and you will see a range of prices mostly in the $10 to $20 range (with of course the Whirlpool brand part for $50).  On the other hand, if you Google 74003020, the range of prices goes from about $30 to $80!! 

So the bottom line is that if you need a 74003020 with female ends, just buy a 74003019 instead (with male ends) and then change out the connectors on the 2 wires that go to the element.  Two new high temp female flagged connectors will just cost you about $3 and 5 minutes of time.  You make the call.

[AlboGator]

ERB? Isn't that Exact fit knock offs? I have a local parts store that I used to deal with that started selling these lately and I've found they are shit parts. They last about a year, maybe less. I won't use them. If you're changing connections on a bake element I'd suggest soldering the new ones in as there's a lot of amperage passing through them. 

[Hiroshi]

ERC only has a few things I will use...Like Stove knobs and the occasional spark emitter. In a pinch, you can make a lot of parts fit in most machines, but it's not the best habit to get into...