We have an electric range, about 10 years old. Where one of the burner elements plugs in to the "socket" (under the stove top) there is a very fine white powder that collects under ONE of the element prongs. If we wipe it off, it forms again. It doesn't collect under the other prong of that element, and it doesn't form under the other burners (elements). The element looks fine, and the socket looks fine. Does anyone have any idea if one of these things needs to be replaced? The burner seems to work okay.

Thanks for any info.

The plating on some of the contacts has gone bad and is oxidizing. You might be able to slow or stop it by cleaning both parts up good and putting a light coating of automotive dielectric grease on it. Don't know if it will take the heat of the stove or not.

You can buy a little tube of the grease in the tune up section of any auto store, maybe even Wal-Mart. It can be used other places needig a long lasting lube.

Okay, thanks, labman.

Most ovens have a vent that is under one of the burners. Self cleaning leaves a white powder that can get into the vent and during cooking the powder will rise with the heat and accumlate under that burner

Interesting to know, but it's the wrong burner and we don't use the self-cleaner.
Thanks anyway, though.