Whether it’s gas or electric, the average household uses the stove a few times a day, so when it stops working, the issue can become quite a hassle. Not only will you need to change your dinner plans, but you’ll also need to find a reputable repair service company. But before you do, here are some simple steps you can take to resolve minor issues yourself.
Remove debris
Unlike an electric cooktop, you need to ignite a gas stove for it to light up. Sometimes, the gas flow to the igniter is blocked with built-up food debris. To clean the build-up:
- Remove the grate and burner cap
- Clean the area with a warm and soapy washcloth
- Soak the burner base in warm water and clean with a brush
- Taking a toothpick, clean any remaining debris out of the burner holes
- Place the burner, cover, and grate back before trying to ignite the burner again
Check for loose connections
If the problem persists after you’ve removed food debris, it may be a connection that’s become loose. To check for fault wires:
- Remove the appliance from the power source or flipping the breaker switch
- Remove the grate, burner cap, and sealed burner base
- Secure any loose or disconnected wires
- Place the burner base, cap, and grate back
- Plug the appliance back in and ignite the burner to test the connection
Test the igniter
If you’ve tried the above and the burner still won’t ignite, it can indicate a faulty igniter. If the igniter sparks yellow or orange instead of bluish-white, it may need replacement. To do this:
- Remove the appliance from the power source and gas supply
- Remove the burner cap and use a screwdriver to disconnect the burner base
- Disconnect the igniter wires
- Check the model number of your stove or your owner’s manual to determine which igniter to purchase
- Install the new igniter and replace the burner base, cap, and grate
- Plug the appliance back in, restore the gas supply, and ignite the burner
If you’re not comfortable tinkering with a gas stove, that’s understandable. Thankfully, there are gas and electric stove repair services in Calgary available that will provide you with a knowledgeable and experienced technician to take care of the problem!
