I have a 25+ year old GE electric oven. This week the bake (bottom) heating element quit working. Is it just a matter of getting a new heating element or is there something else I can check that would cause this issue?

It could be a element or the oven control. If you have tools and a meter you can check it yourself if not you will need the assistance of a on site professional.

With the meter, am I just checking for continuity, like a heating element on a dryer?

with the meter, am I just checking for continuity, like a heating element on a dryer?

Yes BUT you also need to check the voltage being applied to the terminals of the element to test the oven control that could also be defective. 220/240 should be the range of the voltage.

CAUTION CAUTION
You will be working with 220/240 volts when testing the oven control. Exercise all cautions when doing this testing OR you may get the shock of your life or death depending upon how severe it is and if your body is grounded. If you are uncomfortable doing this testing have a professional do it.

NOTE all testing should be done with the element disconnected.

Do you have any intructions on testing the voltage?

Not really. You just kill all power to the unit,remove the two wires going to the bake element,attach meter leads,set meter for voltage,turn power back on,activate the oven,look for 220/240 volts on the meter. If no voltage present or 110/120 volts present then the control is defective. If 220/240 volts present then the bake element is defective. A continunity test on the bake element will show a open circuit on a defective one.

NOTE make sure the wires are securly attached and insulated from any other metal contact to the power wires for the testing.