Gas hob problem - who to call?

pinkteapot

We're having problems getting one of the rings on our gas hob to light (the other is fine).

The ignition spark thing clicks regularly, as it should, but it either doesn't light at all or lights for a second but goes out. Not sure if there just isn't enough gas coming through?

There's definitely some gas coming through as eventually, after several attempts, there's usually a large-ish split second flame-ball from the gas that's hanging around.

It does usually light eventually, but it's really irritating.

Assume it's a gas engineer who can look at it? Anyone had something similar and know if it's likely to be fix-able? Not sure we'd bother going to the expense of replacing the whole hob...

StuC75

Have you tried giving the hob burner a good clean and check that its assembled right, and not been nudged?

could be that something has burnt or settled on the burner and so is affecting the gas flow through when igniting?

Have you tried using a lighter or those clicker \ longer lighters...

Ebe_Scrooge

I'd second the advice from Stu above. It's quite likely that there's burnt-on muck that's blocking the gas vents and also the ignition electrode. Remove all the tops and what-not ( they usually just lift off ), and give everything a really good clean. Use something like a cotton bud or pipe cleaner to clean the actual vents where the gas comes out of. Clean the ignition part ( the metal electrode where the spark comes from ).

Top tip - unplug the cooker before you do this - if you're cleaning the electrode and accidentally lean on the button to activate the spark, you won't half know about it !

When you're done, put everything back together, making sure everything is seated correctly. If it's not quite located right, this can also cause problems.

You said it sometimes lights but then goes out. There should be a safety cut-out - designed to cut the gas off if the flame blows out. It's done using a bi-metal strip, and you normally have to hold the gas regulator knob in for a few seconds after it's lit to let the bi-metal strip warm up. It's possible that this strip is faulty, but a build-up of muck can sometimes cause problems, so you may find it's OK after a good clean.

That's what I would do first off - give everything a good clean, there's nothing lost in trying and it's cost nowt. If this doesn't help, you'll probably need a gas-man to have a look. Make sure he's Gas-Safe registered ( that's the official governing body for registered gas installers, it used to be Corgi ).

Hope this helps.

Dan-Dan

Good advice chaps , and is EXACTLEY what i did recently with the same issue Mrs Pink Teapot , all fine now , you will be surprised at how temperamental the hobs are when not sparkly clean and free of bits of burnt food

pcgtron

I was gunna say Ghostbusters after reading the title of your thread then realised this would be silly.

Oh, well

GHOSTBUSTERS!!!!!!!!!!

pinkteapot

Cheers guys - I'll try the cleaning route first. We only bought the house a month ago and I cleaned the hob (the shiny surface part) but I didn't take the top off the burner and do a deep clean.

We have four induction rings and two gas rings. I'm using the gas a lot as half our pans aren't induction-compatible!

macman

The detachable part can be put through an intensive dishwasher cycle

pinkteapot

Hmmmm, don't think cleaning will make a difference. Haven't touched it yet, and it's the cleanest gas ring I've ever seen (ignore the splodge of boiled-over water to the left of it!):

https://www.flickr.com/photos/55127243@N04/13349447513/

Looks identical to the rear ring which is working fine.

Still, I'll try poking a cotton bud down the hole in the middle with some cleaner on it.

Stevefromdonny

Hmm, the ignition electrode is the one with the white surround (insulation). As far as I know the safety cutout (what you're having problems with) is the little nodule next to it. Make sure when its lit that there is a decent flame getting to this. It could be that there is a blockage in the burner assembly and this is stopping a flame from getting to this. If there's no flame there it won't allow the hob to remain lit.

My GSR tested my hob by lighting all the rings and blowing them all out. The gas continues to flow for about 10 seconds, then the FSD cuts out as it cools, knocking the gas off. When you turn off the hob you can also hear the FSD click off. Clever stuff.

Lgas

Yes you do have a thermocouple on each ring (older hobs don't), that little silver thing next to the igniter. When you light it, assuming the gas does come through, do you hold the control knob down for a good ten seconds before letting go? The thermocouple has to heat up sufficiently to send a tiny electrical current down it, which then keeps the gas valve open. Also make sure the spark electrode is actually sparking on the ring you are trying to light.

pinkteapot

Ahhh ok. So when it lights but goes out again, it's because I'm not holding down the knob for long enough after it's lit? That solves one problem.

Our last gas hob was an old one and less fussy.

The correct 'sparker' thingy is definitely clicking (i.e. the one on the right ring). The remaining issue is that sometimes it clicks repeatedly for ages before lighting, even though you can hear (and smell) gas coming through.