Kitchen Gas Appliances - Stove Ignition issues
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rinko
12-03-05, 05:14 AM
We have a thermadore LP gas (converted) cooktop spark ignition which is balky
Igniters (with gas supply off) good and bright - thanks for the advice of viewing in the dark)
Delay 2-5 seconds between igniter coming on and burner lighting.
Several times the unit has "exploded" - loud kaboom and the unit jumped up from the counter top.
Orifice land all observable parts look clean and no apparent blockage.
Some background - unit sat unupened in an installers warehouse for +/- 5 years and was installed 2.5 years ago.
Always a little slow to ignite but it has only started (2x) exploding
Thanks in advance for your help
Igniters (with gas supply off) good and bright - thanks for the advice of viewing in the dark)
Delay 2-5 seconds between igniter coming on and burner lighting.
Several times the unit has "exploded" - loud kaboom and the unit jumped up from the counter top.
Orifice land all observable parts look clean and no apparent blockage.
Some background - unit sat unupened in an installers warehouse for +/- 5 years and was installed 2.5 years ago.
Always a little slow to ignite but it has only started (2x) exploding
Thanks in advance for your help
Sharp Advice
12-03-05, 10:53 AM
Hello rinko and Welcome to the Do It Yourself Web Site and my Gas Appliances topic.
Most likely the cooktop has some blocked ignition ports or a plugged burner tube which brings the gas to the burner heads. Both need to be visually inspected and cleaned.
Top burners that do not lite from the pilot flame or sparker, the most common cause can be restricted burner ports around the circumference of the burner head and or restricted burner ignition ports. Often times boil-overs and debris plug up the ports.
Ignition ports are tiny holes up one side of the burner head. If these holes are restricted, they must be cleared out. Cleaning can be accomplished using sewing pin needle. Do not enlarge the ignition holes. Doing so will have adverse burner lighting effects.
In cases of extremely dirty burner heads, soaking the burners in very hot water with plenty of dissolved automatic dishwasher detergent for several hours, rinsing and drying or a combination of both methods for heavily soiled burners.
Try lighting the burner with a match. If the burner fails to lite because there isn't any gas coming out of the burner head, there may be a restriction in the burner tube or the brass orifice.
If the above is the case, clear the burner tube. If the brass orifice is clogged up, clear it with a pin but do not remove it, if possible, nor enlarge the openings.
If the sparkers are funtioning and the burners won't lite, chances are the burner openings and or ignition ports on the burner heads are clogged up with debris.
If this is the case, the flames will not burn completely around the entire circumference of the burner head. The burner head openings which do not have flames are clogged up and need cleaning.
On stove top burners that have sparkers not visable at the burner head, have ignition ports. Ignition ports are tiny holes up one side of the burner head. If these holes are restricted, they must be cleared out.
Cleaning can be accomplished using one of three methods. Most commonly, a sewing pin needle can be used. Do Not enlarge the ignition holes. Doing so will have adverse burner lighting effects.
In cases of extremely dirty burner heads, soaking the burners in very hot water with plenty of dissolved automatic dishwasher detergent for several hours, rinsing and drying or a combination of both methods for heavily soiled burners.
Retail parts dealers and appliances parts stores can also help determine what the possible problem may be based upon that specific brand and model. Bring the make, model and serial numbers. Dealers and appliances parts stores are listed in the phone book.
Additional Suggestions:
Read the manufacturers online web site for product information, problem possibilities, causes, solving methods, part locations, disassembly, reassembly methods, repair procedures, pictorials, schematics, repair and or owners manuals which may be available online.
Cautionary Note:
Before attempting any repairs, be sure to unplug the appliance from the wall receptacle power source first.
Help Link: Range-Stove-Oven-Broiler Basic Help Information & Manufacturers Web Sites: http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=159808
Use the reply button to add additional information or questions. Using this method keeps or moves the topic back up to the top of the list automatically.
Web Site Host, Forums Monitor, Web Sites Moderator Hiring Agent, Gas Appliances Topic Moderator & Multiple Forums Moderator & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
Personal Driving Safety Reminder: Buckle Up & Drive Safely. "The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."
Most likely the cooktop has some blocked ignition ports or a plugged burner tube which brings the gas to the burner heads. Both need to be visually inspected and cleaned.
Top burners that do not lite from the pilot flame or sparker, the most common cause can be restricted burner ports around the circumference of the burner head and or restricted burner ignition ports. Often times boil-overs and debris plug up the ports.
Ignition ports are tiny holes up one side of the burner head. If these holes are restricted, they must be cleared out. Cleaning can be accomplished using sewing pin needle. Do not enlarge the ignition holes. Doing so will have adverse burner lighting effects.
In cases of extremely dirty burner heads, soaking the burners in very hot water with plenty of dissolved automatic dishwasher detergent for several hours, rinsing and drying or a combination of both methods for heavily soiled burners.
Try lighting the burner with a match. If the burner fails to lite because there isn't any gas coming out of the burner head, there may be a restriction in the burner tube or the brass orifice.
If the above is the case, clear the burner tube. If the brass orifice is clogged up, clear it with a pin but do not remove it, if possible, nor enlarge the openings.
If the sparkers are funtioning and the burners won't lite, chances are the burner openings and or ignition ports on the burner heads are clogged up with debris.
If this is the case, the flames will not burn completely around the entire circumference of the burner head. The burner head openings which do not have flames are clogged up and need cleaning.
On stove top burners that have sparkers not visable at the burner head, have ignition ports. Ignition ports are tiny holes up one side of the burner head. If these holes are restricted, they must be cleared out.
Cleaning can be accomplished using one of three methods. Most commonly, a sewing pin needle can be used. Do Not enlarge the ignition holes. Doing so will have adverse burner lighting effects.
In cases of extremely dirty burner heads, soaking the burners in very hot water with plenty of dissolved automatic dishwasher detergent for several hours, rinsing and drying or a combination of both methods for heavily soiled burners.
Retail parts dealers and appliances parts stores can also help determine what the possible problem may be based upon that specific brand and model. Bring the make, model and serial numbers. Dealers and appliances parts stores are listed in the phone book.
Additional Suggestions:
Read the manufacturers online web site for product information, problem possibilities, causes, solving methods, part locations, disassembly, reassembly methods, repair procedures, pictorials, schematics, repair and or owners manuals which may be available online.
Cautionary Note:
Before attempting any repairs, be sure to unplug the appliance from the wall receptacle power source first.
Help Link: Range-Stove-Oven-Broiler Basic Help Information & Manufacturers Web Sites: http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=159808
Use the reply button to add additional information or questions. Using this method keeps or moves the topic back up to the top of the list automatically.
Web Site Host, Forums Monitor, Web Sites Moderator Hiring Agent, Gas Appliances Topic Moderator & Multiple Forums Moderator & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
Personal Driving Safety Reminder: Buckle Up & Drive Safely. "The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."