If earlier gas stoves were designed without the piezo ignition function, which was simply considered unnecessary, today this is an integral part of every new model of equipment. Such innovations have brought not only new opportunities to the user’s life, since now, from time to time, you have to deal with a situation when the piezo ignition on a gas stove does not work, and you absolutely do not know what to do about it.
Agree, it is somewhat impractical to call a specialist every time the electric ignition breaks down, and besides, such repairs do not require special skills. In this case, it is important to accurately determine the cause of the malfunction and learn how to repair the equipment yourself.
Despite the improvement of each new gas stove model, the piezo element may fail from time to time. The reason may be either a simple lack of spark, or damage to the wire insulation or burnout of the transformer. Further in the article, the most common types of electrical ignition failures will be presented, and you will be able to familiarize yourself with the step-by-step repair of piezo ignition depending on the type of malfunction.
How does electric ignition work?
Electric ignition makes it possible to light the stove safely. It reduces the possibility of getting burned to a minimum, because with piezo ignition there is no need to use lighters or matches. There is also no contact with flame. With electric ignition, gas ignition occurs from the activation of a piezoelectric element on the gas device. The piezoelectric element gives a spark, after which automatic electric ignition takes place without the use of other devices. Repair of gas stoves with electric ignition can be done either with the help of a specialist or with your own hands: it all depends on the type of breakdown and knowledge about the operation of the structure.
SMEG range of hobs
If you decide to replace your old kitchen stove, pay attention to Italian products. The catalog of our online store presents gas hobs with a different number of burners (from 1 to 6). Don't want to install gas equipment at home? Browse our range of electric and induction hobs and multi-function ovens. Reliable and durable equipment will be an excellent help in creating restaurant-quality culinary masterpieces. Intuitive controls and a large number of useful options will ensure comfortable and safe operation of the devices.
SMEG cooking centers deserve special mention. These devices with a striking design are produced within the Classica, Victoria and Portofino lines. The cooking center is a modernized kitchen stove with wide functionality. Models are equipped with an enlarged work table with burners of different sizes and power, as well as several ovens in which you can simultaneously bake or defrost food and maintain the temperature of ready-made dishes. Branded accessories for comfortable cooking are included in the package.
Causes of failure
Why doesn't the gas stove work? There are two most common reasons for poorly functioning electric ignition:
- electrodes do not produce a spark;
- the electrodes spark without stopping.
One of the reasons why the electric ignition of a gas stove does not work well is grease on the buttons. Solving the problem is very simple: just clean and dry the components of the hob, all the buttons in order to repair the electric ignition of the gas stove caused by contamination.
Another possible cause of failure is a crack or broken ceramic insulation on the spark plug. A dirty spark plug can fail if dirt accumulates on it. Also, the spark plug may stop working properly due to poor sealing or oxidation of the rod made of steel. In addition, the element may crack due to careless handling. In this case, the spark begins to strike to the side. The only way out of the situation is to replace the spark plug.
When the spark generation unit (ignition transformer) burns out, the button you press does not create a spark. If the piezo ignition on a gas stove does not work, it is easier to buy it than to repair it. It is possible to repair this element, but it is too expensive - it is cheaper to purchase a new one.
When washing the stove, water very often gets into the contact area of the power buttons. High humidity creates all the conditions for these contacts to oxidize, become hard and break over time. In some cases, the opposite happens - the contacts may stick together and not work correctly. It’s easy to solve a similar problem with automatic ignition not working - just cleaning and drying is enough, after which the functionality of the hob will be restored.
Why doesn't it light up the first time?
Some equipment owners are faced with the problem of the burner taking a long time to ignite. Does the gas go out immediately after the button is released? the burner itself stop working on a gas stove after a while? The reason is most likely the thermocouple, which is located near each burner.
A thermocouple is an alloy of two metals. When this element heats up, an electric current begins to be generated. It is this that causes the magnetic valve to remain pressed, thus preventing it from closing the passage of gas through the burner. A dirty thermocouple is the most common reason why a gas stove does not ignite the first time.
You can clean the thermocouple using sandpaper, which you can buy at any store that specializes in selling building materials.
After cleaning, the element begins to heat up well, the gas no longer goes out. In some cases, cleaning does not help: the equipment still does not light up the first time. This may be due to the fact that the thermocouple itself has failed - you need to replace or change the piezoelectric element.
Gas oven goes out due to faulty thermostat
Correct operation of the thermostat is very important, since the entire cooking process depends on it.
The thermostat provides gas supply to the main and frying burners of the oven and maintains the set temperature in the oven by increasing and decreasing the gas supply inside the oven. If the oven begins to cool, the thermostat will increase the gas supply, thereby increasing the heat. If the oven temperature reaches the set value, the thermostat reduces the gas supply to maintain a constant temperature. One of the malfunctions is that the flame decreases to an unacceptable level, which leads to the thermocouple cooling down and to an emergency shutdown of the oven.
Did you know that after 10 years the gas in the oven can go out due to poor ventilation. Carbon monoxide accumulates and extinguishes the burner. Move the stove away from the wall 5-10 centimeters, remove the towels from the handle. Wash the back wall of the stove and the ventilation duct from grease.
Symptoms of a problem
Are you trying to light a burner but the ignition is not working? This is a fairly common problem for owners of gas appliances. If you notice problems with the electric ignition, you should call a technician to your home. You can carry out preliminary diagnostics and try to determine the problem, but it is not always worth repairing the electric ignition of a gas stove yourself - this can only aggravate the problem.
Signs by which you can determine that the electric ignition has stopped working are:
- continuous clicking of the electric ignition;
- When you press the button, the electric ignition does not work;
- ignition continues after the button is released;
- constant appearance of sparks when the button is turned off;
- the burner in the gas stove does not work or works with varying degrees of success;
- knocking out the machine gun in the dashboard.
What to do if a problem is detected?
It happens that the problem of weak gas supply and flame extinction is caused by accumulated grease on the electric ignition or regulator. By cleaning them from contaminants, you can eliminate this problem. Also check the spark plug; if the holes are clogged, the flame crown will be small or smoky.
It may be worth monitoring whether oxygen is entering the oven. To do this, check that the oven door is closed tightly.
Many, noticing that something is wrong, wonder: what is wrong and how to fix the stove themselves? However, if you encounter any problem that requires appropriate qualifications, it is better not to try to fix the stove yourself. Such intervention without the appropriate skills and knowledge is fraught with big problems.
If you yourself do not have the necessary tools and knowledge to fix problems, then calling a specialist will be the best solution.
If your gas stove has not passed the warranty period, then call the service center of the company where you purchased the equipment. If the warranty period has expired, then call a qualified specialist from other companies in your city. The technician will be able to professionally fix all problems and tell you how to care for the stove.
Electric ignition does not work on one burner
Why doesn't the gas stove light up? Many models of this equipment are designed in such a way that a person does not come into contact with open fire. Automatic ignition is very practical, because it can be turned on with gas supply or using a specially designed button. But what to do if you suddenly notice that the electric ignition does not work on one burner?
If you press the ignition button and nothing happens, or you hear clicks but no spark appears, it means that the electric ignition has started to work incorrectly. At such moments, when only one burner does not light, and all the others are working properly, it can be judged that the high-voltage wire going to the ignition electrode is functioning intermittently. This may also be the result of a broken ignition device or failure of the ignition unit. Most often, one burner does not work when the nozzle of the burner nozzle is dirty. Food debris prevents gas from flowing through the hole, so the injectors need to be cleaned or replaced.
In addition to this problem, quite often one burner from the entire panel does not work due to a malfunction in the gas control system. In this case, the part may light up, but immediately go out after the button is released. It is necessary to replace the thermocouple, solenoid valve or the entire gas control system. Sometimes the combustion does not work because the gas valve is stuck. The handle does not turn well because small particles of carbon deposits get into the faucet mechanism or the lubricant dries out. You need to disassemble the gas valve, clean it and lubricate it.
What else could happen
Additionally, I will explain that the absence of a flame or its unstable combustion can be caused by a broken valve. Some models use high voltage relief valves, some use low voltage
It is important to know which valve is in the oven, since outwardly they may look the same. If you install a low-voltage valve instead of a high-voltage one during repairs, you can burn it
There is no need to climb here on your own - this is the work of a master.
If the oven does not want to ignite and all the listed components are working properly, the reason may lie in the gas supply. The problem is easy to recognize - in addition to the lack of combustion, when you turn the knob, you cannot hear a short hiss of gas. If the device operates from a central network, it is better to check the shut-off valve; it is often simply closed. When powered from a cylinder, it makes sense to look at the condition of the gearbox, in case it is also blocked. You also need to check the pressure in the cylinder in case the gas suddenly runs out. If everything is in order, but there is no fuel supply, you should immediately call the gas service. Lack of gas in the system is a dangerous call and can lead to air congestion.
If the oven is operating with a catastrophically low flame pressure, there is an incorrect ratio of the air-gas mixture supplied to the burner. If it is necessary to increase the combustion intensity, adjust the air damper.
Electric ignition does not work on two burners
In some cases, a gas stove on two burners does not light. Sometimes lighting it with a match helps - everything works normally, without interruption. The cause of this malfunction is damage to the spark plug responsible for ignition. We repair electric ignition as follows: clean the spark plug and look at its condition; perhaps it’s enough just to clean the spark plug’s power wire.
If there is a crack on the element, we buy a new part and put it in place of the old one. The electric ignition may also break down due to a faulty ignition button. Moisture or small debris could have gotten into it, or it could have been damaged mechanically. To fix this, you need to clean the oxidized buttons or replace them if they are mechanically damaged.
There is no spark on any of the stove burners
In the most severe cases, the electric ignition of a gas stove does not work on all burners. This may be due to the fact that:
- there has been a transition to low-pressure gas - a broken gas stove is repaired by replacing the burner nozzles, which are designed for low pressure;
- there was a break in the wiring on the electric ignition side - the breakdown is eliminated after restoring the wiring;
- The auto-ignition unit, which generates a spark, has broken down - the owner of either Bosch, Ariston or Beko may encounter this problem - the entire electric ignition unit needs to be replaced.
Ignition produces a spark, but the burner does not ignite
In cases where the electric ignition produces a spark, but the burner does not ignite, you should try replacing the thermocouple. Sometimes the problem is related to the solenoid valve, and after updating it, the equipment operates normally. You should check the ignition unit, because if everything is fine with it, but ignition does not occur, you need to look for a problem in the power wire or burner spark plug.
If a spark is supplied, the flame lights up, but immediately goes out, try holding the gas button longer. It is likely that the sensors responsible for the formation of the flame simply do not have time to warm up.
Solenoid valve - the second gas control element
Most gas stoves and hobs are equipped with safety sensors - a gas control solenoid valve. They shut off the gas supply if danger arises when operating the gas stove. If a gas burner or oven goes out for any reason or is blown out by a random flow of air, the solenoid valve will shut off the gas supply after 5 seconds. The solenoid valve starts working after 4 seconds with constant heating of the thermocouple, if this does not happen or the time to turn on the burner has increased to 10 seconds, we can say that the gas control system of the stove is not working properly and most likely you need to repair the hob.
If the electric ignition stops working after washing the gas stove or panel
When washing the hob, water or detergent, one way or another, even in a small dose, can get inside the burner. The moisture inside oxidizes the steel rod of the spark plug, causing the spark to become almost invisible, ignite the gas poorly or completely absent. Check whether the spark plug is intact: if it is not cracked, but is simply dirty or oxidized, it can be easily repaired. It is enough to simply clean the candle from the oxidation product and from now on try to pour less water and soap solution onto the hob.
Advantages of premium technology
All products are made from high-quality materials with an increased margin of safety. The company's production facilities and head office are located in northern Italy. Elite equipment from the SMEG brand is distinguished by an exclusive design made in different styles: from minimalism to retro. Many models from the “50s style” series have become international style icons and the manufacturer’s calling card.
The Italian company offers a large number of built-in and free-standing solutions for the kitchen and home. Premium appliances are produced in several designer collections. Impeccable design, user-friendly interface, durability and low energy consumption make SMEG products popular in many countries, including Russia. All large and small household appliances and plumbing fixtures are covered by an official manufacturer's warranty. Delivery of goods is carried out in Moscow, St. Petersburg and all regions of the Russian Federation.
How to fix an electric ignition yourself
In order to repair the electric ignition of a gas stove, you first need to find the cause of the problem. If you are unsure of your knowledge, you should not start repairing it yourself; it is better to entrust this matter to a specialist. Well, if you decide to repair a gas stove with your own hands, below are the methods in the form of instructions for this process:
- Initially, you need to light the faulty burner manually or using matches. If the gas burns properly, the flame will be blue and uniform. The faulty element burns with a yellow or sluggish flame. If gas combustion occurs only on one side of the burner, it means that the divider is uneven or deformed. The problem occurs due to a malfunction in the fuel mixture ratio, which is why the burner does not ignite from a spark. You can fix the problem with electric ignition yourself by cleaning the injectors and reinstalling the divider.
- All electrodes, ignited by a spark, are powered through the ignition unit, and in order to turn on the unit, you need to use different buttons. Try using the following ignition scheme: light one burner by pressing the button while holding down the second one. This method is relevant if the first part did not ignite manually when the gas tap was open, but a spark did not form. If this burner did not give a spark this time (one of the two clamped), we can conclude that the electric ignition switch is broken.
- If, when trying to light the hob, the ignition starts to crackle continuously, this may be due to the contacts of one of the switches closing. This can happen due to moisture or grease getting into the middle of the structure, as well as due to oxidation or bending of the contacts. In order to solve this problem with a gas stove, you need to clean and dry all the elements. Carrying out preventive maintenance will affect the return of equipment to serviceable condition.
>When cleaning switches, remember that they operate under a voltage of 220 V - you should follow safety precautions in order to repair the equipment without causing damage to yourself.
Design and main components of an electric stove
The electric stove looks very impressive - it is a complex household appliance, but its design is quite simple, and all the main working elements are located in a special heat-resistant case, which is made of stainless steel.
The operating principle is similar to all electrical household appliances: current passing through heating elements (heating elements) heats them to a given temperature. The stove has several burners on the hob, and their number varies: a minimum of two, and the standard is 4 pieces. For example, the budget electric stove Mechta 15M has only two burners and a small oven, while the product of Belarusian engineers Hephaestus has a standard set of burners and a large oven.
The structure of the burners is quite diverse. The classics are burners on an enamel hob with heating elements inside, modern ones are solid ceramic surfaces with various types of heaters built into them. Let's look at the main types of burners.
- Old domestic versions are equipped with cast iron products; they heat up slowly and also cool down, creating a steam effect in the kitchen, but they are resistant to moisture and high temperatures.
- Tubular spirals - they are made of a hollow tube; when heated, such devices not only give off heat, but also promote the circulation of warm air inside their body, which significantly increases their efficiency. These products are very difficult to repair yourself.
- Ceramic burners are very simple in design, they are easy to repair at home - a nichrome spiral is placed in special cells in a circle and secured. Modern models increasingly use glass-ceramic solid plates - they are more durable and easy to clean.
- Halogen devices are special burners with a similar emitter that are installed in different places on the hob. A stove with such burners provides fast heating, in a second, and low energy consumption, so they are the most economical, but only professional craftsmen can carry out repairs.
All models of modern stoves use a special cross-section power wire to transmit current to the burners; in addition, they are connected to regulators and thermostats, ensuring their protection from overheating.
When to contact a specialist
Most of the breakdowns that cause defects during the operation of electric ignition are not dangerous to humans. But the continuous crackling and clicking can get pretty boring. What to do if the electric ignition does not work, and you couldn’t fix the problem yourself? A gas stove is a dangerous technique because it can cause gas leakage. It is better not to try to disassemble and repair the electric ignition yourself. Find out how to check the ignition unit of a gas stove, and if a problem is detected, contact a specialist. Repair of electric ignition in Moscow is carried out by calling a specialist to your home.
We make repairs
When you have carried out an inspection, found out the cause and diagnosed the problems, you can begin to repair the gas stove yourself. It is carried out similarly for all models. The famous Italian brand Ariston or the Belarusian stove Hephaestus, which is in great demand among Russians, there is no difference, the ignition systems are almost identical except for purely individual nuances.
Before starting work, refresh your knowledge by reading the product's operating instructions. Knowledge of the operating principle and structure of a gas stove is necessary for its successful repair.
- We ignite the faulty burner using a third-party source of open flame, matches or a special lighter - the flame should be even and distributed over the entire circumference of the divider. A yellow flame means the concentration of gas and air is incorrect: the nozzle needs to be cleaned or replaced. It is possible that the holes in the divider are clogged or moisture has entered there. It is necessary to do preventive maintenance, blow out all the holes, remove the burner body and inspect it.
- All electrodes and switches are connected in parallel. Each electrode is powered from a single ignition unit, but they are turned on from different buttons. To make sure that only this button does not work, and the control unit is normal, you need to turn on the next burner. If the gas ignites, repair the button, and everything else in the system works properly.
- If the ignition device is constantly cracking, then it is necessary to check the contacts - they could be stuck due to grease or carbon deposits may have formed as a result of oxidation. Before repairing, do not forget to disconnect the stove from the mains, then carefully dismantle it, clean the contacts or dry them with a hair dryer. Following safety instructions will protect you from injury.
Most of the breakdowns that led to the failure can be fixed independently - they are not dangerous for the user, but it must be remembered that gas stoves are potentially dangerous products, so even preventative work must be carried out carefully.
Sometimes a breakdown of the ignition button leads to the fact that repair will not help - a complete replacement is necessary. In this case, it is better to go to special stores and purchase a similar option.
