What’s Wrong with Your Stove Igniter?

Gas stoves include a stove igniter, which produces a spark and allows the burner to ignite. Eventually, the igniter becomes fussier and may stop working altogether. Frustrated St. Peters, MO homeowners either start lighting burners with a grill lighter or call a local oven repair service for help. However, before you call us, try cleaning the ignitor first. Here’s how to do it:

• Turn off the gas: Before you start cleaning, turn off the gas. While you can turn off the gas at the knobs, there is still the risk of turning the stove on as you clean. Natural gas is highly flammable, and that is not worth the risk. The gas valve is behind your stove, and you need to move the stove to find it. Once you find it, turn it all the way to the right and make sure it is off. Now, you are ready to clean your igniter.
• Find the igniter: The igniter is not obvious on all stoves, so here’s a guide to finding it. For a sealed burner stove, check on top of the stove. You will find a small nozzle where the igniter releases gas. If you have a standard gas stove, open the top and expose the igniters. They will also look like nozzles. The top has locking hinges that allow you to keep it open as you clean.
• Start cleaning: Use an old toothbrush or other smaller brush. Run it along the malfunctioning igniter to clean it. Add a little water to the brush for stubborn debris.  Most igniter issues arise from over-boils and spraying grease as you cook. Giving it a brush helps remove this debris and allows the igniter to release gas and light your burner.
• Clean pilot hole: If the igniter contains a pilot hole, clean it out with a needle. Even with food debris removed, you still need to ground the pilot hole so the igniter creates a better spark.
• Finish up: Wipe away removed food debris and give the igniter one more wipe-down. Once done, wipe down the igniter. Check the igniter over and clean any remaining debris you did not notice earlier. While you are already working on your stove, consider cleaning the other igniters as well. That way you don’t have to go through this process again too soon. Finally, close the top, if necessary, and ensure it lines up correctly. Many stoves have a safety feature that prevents ignition if the top is not secure.
• Test the igniter: Turn the gas back on and secure the stove against the wall. Test the igniter to see if it works. If everything lights quickly and works normally, you are done. But if your igniter does not produce the spark, call a service technician.

If your igniter still doesn’t work after you clean it, it’s time to call a local oven repair service in St. Peters, MO. Crews Appliance Repair offers refrigerator, freezer and oven repair and more. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

Categorised in: Oven Repair

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