What is this and should I fix it?

I was cleaning the stove top and the heating element support broke. It looks there were a couple of spot welds which have broken. It’s also a bit rusty.

What’s it called? (if I wanted to buy one, I don’t even know what to search for. Everything I’ve tried so far has failed.)

And I’m mulling over the following:

I could probably make one using two strips of metal and bolt them together with the tools I currently own. Or I could try and repair but that would involve investing in kit that would cost significantly more than a simple replacement, but would be very handy in future projects and metal working badge bits. Fourth option would be to make from scratch in the same fashion, which would require the same kit as previous solution.

Y bracket

I see the problem.  Closest I found was an appliance repair website that's gotten clever.  They posted labeled diagrams and it looks like part 24 to me, but there's no key to tell what that means.  You would still have to contact them.

Hi Edward;
Seeing as I am a tool whore...  I vote you buy the (kit) welder and repair or build a proper new one.
I person can NEVER have too many tools!

thomas rubino wrote:Seeing as I am a tool whore...  I vote you buy the (kit) welder and repair or build a proper new one.
I person can NEVER have too many tools!

A man after my Hubby's heart! Unfortunately it takes *space* to properly store tools!!! Plus I have a feeling Edward's got a budget he's trying to stick with.

In the short term, buying a replacement part would be cheaper, but if there are any used appliance dealers in your area, they may have a collection of second hand parts that would work and not charge too much for them.

Edward Norton wrote:
I was cleaning the stove top and the heating element support broke. It looks there were a couple of spot welds which have broken. It’s also a bit rusty.

What’s it called? (if I wanted to buy one, I don’t even know what to search for. Everything I’ve tried so far has failed.)

It is simply called  an electric stove heating element.  You can get one at Lowe's or other big box for less than $20.

element

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/home-and-decor/kitchen-utensils-and-gadgets/stove-parts/6485858

Cheers people!

It looks like you can’t buy the Y bracket separately, you have to buy it with the element.

I do like new tools, but Jay’s right, and thank you for reminding me of my budget. I can get a little carried away and it’s got me in trouble before. I’ll go and check out Habitat for Humanity as they have boxes of random bits and I might find what I’m looking for there. I’m a little loathed to buy a whole new element just for the Y bracket as the heating part still works.

In that case Ed I would just drill and bolt it.

I'll bet you can scrounge one for free at the local applicance recycling centre.

thomas rubino wrote:In that case Ed I would just drill and bolt it.

Excellent suggestion!

Does anyone know if the little circle bit does anything useful, or is it mostly for show? The "Y" would be easy to drill and bolt, but the circle might be harder to reattach.

Well, the little centre piece isn't functional. I think it's just cosmetic. It's the Y-piece that is structural and takes the weight.

I'm with Thomas: drill and bolt will probably get it done. Just keep a close eye to ensure that it supports the burner coils, and adjust as needed.

Job done! Thank you all for your help, I went for the bolt solution. Overkill, I could have used a smaller bolt but I didn’t have one, so went with what I already had.