1. The Gas Burner Flame will not Light
If you can’t seem to get the flame lit on your gas cooktop, there are few things that may be causing the problem. The first thing you need to do is closely observe how the gas burner is acting, and this will give you some useful clues. When you light your stovetop gas burner, there should be a clicking sound accompanied by a slight gas odor. If you can hear the clicking, but you cannot smell any gas, it’s likely that there is a problem with the gas flow. If you cannot hear any clicking, but you can smell gas, it’s likely that the ignition switch is the source of the problem.
The Fix: Turn off all power to the appliance, unplug it if possible, and carefully remove the burner cap and grate. Then clean any dirt, grime, or loose food deposits without disturbing any wires. Then put everything back together and try to light the gas burner. If this doesn’t work, it’s likely that your gas connection needs work, or you need a new igniter. Tackling these two issues without specialized training is ill advised, and it’s a better idea to contact a professional home appliance technician for expert help.
2. The Gas Burner Only Heats Slowly
This is often caused by food debris and other materials that may be clogging up the gas burner openings leading to intermittent flames. This will affect the efficiency of your stovetop, and the cooking process will be uneven. The solution is to give the stovetop a thorough clean to clear the gas burner openings.
The Fix: Turn off the power, disconnect the stovetop, remove the burner caps and grates and get them soaking in a sink full of soapy hot water. Then take a stiff brush and scrub those parts to get them nice and clean before drying them thoroughly. On the stovetop, wipe the surfaces down using a damp sponge and remove debris from the gas valves with a toothpick. Then re-assemble the stovetop, restore the power, and the gas burner should be steadily burning for efficient cooking.
3. The Gas Igniter Keeps Clicking
As we saw above, it’s normal to have clicking when you light the gas, but if that sound continues after lighting, there is a problem. This is typically caused by some kind of blockage in the burner, or the burner cap may be loose.
The Fix: Make sure each burner cap is located correctly and check for any debris that could be clogging the holes. If you have a stovetop that isn’t sealed, it’s common to get food debris caught in the gas grate from time to time. This debris can be removed with a slim metal object such as a paper clip, and flammable items are not suitable. If this doesn’t solve the problem, there may be some excess moisture trapped somewhere in the stovetop. Dry the surface of the stovetop with a clean and dry towel and remove any water or grease deposits that you can find.
There are many appliance installation choices available, and educating yourself on these options will help you to get the most out of your appliance. For practical help and advice, you can rely on a professional home appliance repair technician.