The use of portable lighters or matches to ignite gas stoves has long been a thing of the past. Modern models provide automatic inclusion of the burner. It is enough to hold the button for several seconds or turn the lever in the direction indicated in the figure, as soon as the flame appears.
Such a system is easy to use, so it will not cause difficulties in operation. But, like any technical device, and this can fail at any time. The functioning of electric ignition can be disrupted for several reasons. In this case, many simply stop using this function and use regular matches to ignite the burner. If the gas stove breaks - electric ignition does not work, what should I do in this case? To understand this issue, you first need to understand how it functions.
How does electric ignition occur?
The electric ignition system is pretty simple. When a person presses a button or turns a lever to start cooking, a signal in the form of voltage is supplied to a special capacitor. As soon as the maximum voltage arises on it, it begins to discharge slowly. At this moment, a spark starts to slip between the discharge block and the burners. In turn, gas is already being supplied to the burner. In the reaction of gas and sparks, a flame appears, which is then used for cooking or other things.
Modern models of electric ignition begin to work only when the cable is plugged into the outlet, since the power is supplied by charging with a voltage of 220 V (volts). It is not recommended to use less voltage, otherwise the stove will start to make a clicking sound and may subsequently fail. Therefore, when purchasing a gas stove with automatic electric ignition, it is necessary to consider the installation location. Indeed, in order to use all the functional capabilities of the device, in addition to connecting to the central gas pipeline, it will be necessary to connect it to the mains.
How to understand that electric ignition is broken?
The main signs of failure:
- When the button is held down normally or the knob is turned in the correct direction, the electric ignition stops working.
- When using the stove for its intended purpose, the electric ignition makes a click-like sound.
- After switching off in the usual way, electric ignition continues to work for some time.
- Electric ignition releases sparks even if the stove is inoperative.
- It is impossible to set fire to the burner the first time, you always need to make every effort.
- An automatic machine is constantly knocked out in the shield.
Why doesn't electric ignition work on a gas stove?
Despite the fact that the absence of this function is not a critical aspect, many consumers still immediately try to find the cause of the malfunction in order to maximize the use of all the features of the device. If the spark did not appear when using the button or turning the lever, this means that there are obvious problems. As practice shows, most often, electric ignition on a gas stove does not work for three reasons.
Charger is out of order
Most often, electric ignition on a gas stove does not work due to the ingress of fat or food on it. In some cases, the cause may be a detergent that gets on the device while cleaning the surface of the gas stove. You can fix the problem yourself. To do this, take fine sandpaper, clean the part and leave to dry.
Problem with device powered by high voltage charging
When the problem arises “inside” (transformer winding, delaminated parts), there is no point in repairing it. Therefore, the best option would be to purchase a new block. There are blocks that are designed specifically for a particular manufacturer, or universal. The latter option, as a rule, will cost a little cheaper, but it is not suitable for all gas stoves.
Arrester damage
In this case, the spark begins to appear not only inside the structure, but also goes to the burners themselves. In this case, it is not recommended to engage in repair on your own, since in order to fix the problem, the specialist should familiarize himself with all the nuances and, on this basis, carry out the necessary work.
Why is there a spark, but does electric ignition not work?
Perhaps this is a separate case that requires detailed consideration. After all, there are a lot of reasons that can lead to a malfunction of electric ignition. The first and most common cause is mechanical damage to the case. If a crack appears on it, then most likely the spark strikes in a chaotic direction, but does not fall into the electric ignition area. It is worthwhile to warn that the charger is not repairable, therefore, in detecting such a problem, you will have to purchase a completely new part. According to experts, for this reason, electric ignition on the Gorenie gas stove often does not work.
The stabilization of the work process can also be impaired due to too high pressure, through which the gas is supplied. If the gas stove is Hansa, electric ignition does not work on it often for this very reason. To eliminate the malfunction, you only need to find the optimal parameters and bring the "golden mean". Finally, it is recommended to check the condition of the nozzle. The fact is that often due to a malfunction of some of the constituent elements of the burner, electric ignition on a gas stove does not work. Most likely, dirt or accumulated grease is strong. You can take ordinary wire and clean the torch. Of course, for such events it is best to contact the service center.
Can I fix an electric ignition myself?
With a number of some malfunctions, the user can cope independently. However, it should be understood that all work must be performed in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer. If the product is still under warranty, then doing nothing yourself, in principle, is worthless, since the employees of the service company are obliged to remove all problems in accordance with the obligations. If any internal elements do not work, then you should turn to professionals who can say whether you need to buy new parts, or you can repair your native components and return electric ignition to life.
To diagnose malfunctions, it is necessary to set the burner on fire and observe how evenly the flame burns, whether the fire is distributed throughout its surface. Normally, the fire should turn purple, depending on the intensity of combustion. However, if the flame turns orange or yellow, you can immediately say that this phenomenon deviates from the norm, and the device is broken. In the event that the flame appeared only on one side, this may indicate that the divider does not work correctly or the stove is on an uneven surface, which leads to a problem during operation. As a rule, in this position, electric ignition on a gas stove does not work. You can either clean the nozzle or install a new divider model. When the combustible mixture is not evenly distributed, the electric ignition will not work. This is the very system of operation of the device.
All elements have a parallel connection. Power is supplied by the ignition unit. However, the inclusion is due to the use of various buttons or levers. In the event that the spark does not appear, and the gas is open, it is worth trying to use the second button, without releasing the first. If nothing happens, then the failure is 100%, and it is better to contact a specialist to fix such problems.
If for a long time the equipment squeaks or pops, then the problem is in closing the contacts. Similar sounds can be observed when electric ignition on the Hephaestus gas stove does not work. As a rule, this is due to the ingress of fat, products that contribute to the oxidation of elements. In order not to bring to a similar situation, it is necessary to periodically clean the stove and allow the parts to dry thoroughly. Thus, you can take care of extending the life of the device or eliminate the problem. It is not recommended to forget about your own safety. Since the stove operates at a voltage of 220 W, you must first disconnect it from the network, as well as shut off the gas supply.
What malfunctions can still occur?
A fairly common problem is the shutdown of the gas burner during operation. In this case, you should first observe how well the combustion of fuel occurs. You can either clean the nozzle or adjust the gas supply. If such actions were useless, it is recommended that you contact a technician to determine the cause. Most likely, you will have to buy a new thermocouple, which cannot be replaced on your own without certain knowledge.
Often the burner has a smaller flame. If until this moment no adjustment has been made, then most likely the problem is in the nozzle, which must distribute the gas and supply it for combustion. Most often, it gets clogged with oil or fat, so all you need is just to clean the part. If the gas stove is Ariston, electric ignition does not work on models of this brand, often for this very reason.
Why should you contact the master?
All universal problems have been described above, which even an inexperienced person can cope on their own in cases where the electric ignition on the gas stove has stopped working. However, it should be understood that this is a complex device, which sometimes requires thorough verification. Using an ordinary screwdriver and a flashlight, it is impossible to hold it. Of course, the services of a master will cost a little more than an independent repair, but in this case you can ensure the safety of your family and extend the life of the device. Indeed, in the event of improper cleaning or replacement of a part, there is always a risk of damage. A new stove will cost much more than the service of the master.