lee production pot not getting hot?

The other day I went to pour some sinkers and my lead pot took about a hour to get hot and it didn't melt the lead completely. I assume the heating element can go bad since they sell them on Lee's sight but I was wondering if there is any way to test the temp gauge to see if that's bad. Thanks

I would think they would be good or bad with no in between. May be the thermostat, you could bypass it and see if the lead melts? Just what I would try.

Wow that was simple, it's the thermostat thanks for the advice.