Kitchen Electrical Nightmares I See All the Time in Oologah, OK

Kitchen Electrical Shorts

By Terry Davis, Your Go-To Electrician at Davis Electric & Design

Alright, let’s talk kitchens. In Oologah, I get called out to fix kitchen electrical problems more than just about anywhere else in the house. And honestly? I’m not surprised. The kitchen is where everything happens—cooking, coffee, family chaos—and all that action puts major stress on your wiring.

If you’re in Oologah and you’ve noticed flickering lights, tripping breakers, or that one outlet that smells a little funky, you’re not alone.

Here’s what I see all the time:

Not Enough Circuits
Modern kitchens need more power than they used to. Between the microwave, air fryer, fridge, toaster oven, and fancy coffee maker, it’s just too much for one or two circuits to handle. I’ve seen breakers trip just because someone made toast and brewed coffee at the same time. A dedicated circuit can fix that real quick.

Missing GFCI Protection
This one’s a biggie. Kitchens are full of moisture and grounded metal—hello, sink and dishwasher—so GFCI outlets are a must. But I still find homes in Oologah where someone’s got regular outlets inches from the sink. One splash and you could be looking at a serious shock risk. I always tell folks: if it’s near water, it needs GFCI.

Loose or Overheated Outlets
If your outlet feels warm—or worse, it sparks when you plug something in—stop using it. That usually means the wires are loose or the outlet is overloaded. I’ve pulled out melted receptacles more than once. And no, it’s not normal for your outlet to smell like burnt marshmallows.

Bad Lighting Layout
Look, I love a good chandelier or pendant light as much as anyone—but not when it’s the only thing lighting up your kitchen. I walk into kitchens with one lonely ceiling light trying to cover the whole space. I always recommend adding under-cabinet lighting, recessed lights, or LED strips where you do the actual cooking. Makes a huge difference.

No Dedicated Circuit for the Microwave
Microwaves pull a lot of juice. If yours is sharing a circuit with other outlets, don’t be surprised if it’s tripping the breaker or dimming the lights every time you nuke something. I install dedicated microwave circuits all the time, and it fixes the issue instantly.

Improper Range or Oven Wiring
If you’ve got an electric stove or oven, it needs to be wired correctly and grounded. I’ve seen everything from undersized wires to missing grounding conductors, which is both unsafe and against code. Worst case? It can overheat or start a fire.

Outlet Overload
Those power strips with six things plugged in behind the coffee station? Yeah, I see those a lot. That’s a red flag. You should never run heavy appliances like toasters, coffee makers, or Instant Pots on the same outlet—especially if it’s pulling off a shared circuit.

Hidden DIY Mistakes
Some previous homeowner thought they could handle kitchen wiring themselves—and let’s just say they were creative. I’ve found outlets wired backwards, switch loops that go nowhere, and even live wires tucked behind drywall. Don’t guess when it comes to electricity—call someone who knows what they’re doing (hint: me).

No AFCI Breakers
AFCI breakers (arc fault circuit interrupters) are now required in kitchens for a reason—they prevent fires from electrical arcs caused by damaged wires or loose connections. Many older Oologah homes don’t have these, and it’s something I always recommend upgrading during a panel or kitchen remodel.

Bottom line?
Kitchens in Oologah need love—and the right electrical work to stay safe and functional. If you’re having issues or planning a remodel, let me take a look before things get worse.

I’ll make sure everything’s up to code and ready for your next batch of biscuits.

Get help today!

Take care,
Terry Davis
Davis Electric & Design