Tag Archives: cooktops

4 Common Cooktop Problems And How To Fix Them

Like the other kitchen appliances, cooktops also develop a myriad of problems that you need to fix to continue using the unit. Which are these problems? Here they are as given by cooktops repair professionals:

Failure of the electric cooktop to turn on

You will switch on the cooktop, but it fails to come on. You can’t cook with an appliance that won’t come on, can you?

One of the reasons an electric cooktop won’t turn on is if you haven’t plugged it in. Before you start investigating other issues, check whether the appliance is properly plugged in. Also, check whether the outlet is functioning correctly.

Use a multimeter or test it using any other small appliance such as an iron or blow dryer to check the outlet. If you do this and still it won’t come on, get in touch with an experienced electrician to help troubleshoot it.

Sometimes you will find the outlet providing power, but the cooktop doesn’t work. If this is the case with your appliance, your unit might be having problems with the internal components.

If you have never fixed a similar problem before, let an experienced professional help out.

Failure of the gas burner to light

If you have a gas furnace, the gas burner will sometimes fail to light. And like the above problem, this issue can be brought about by several factors.

Before you go deep into the problem, observe what happens when you try to light the burner. You should hear a clicking noise and smell gas coming out of the valves. If you hear a click but can’t smell anything, the problem might have to do with gas flow.

If you smell gas but don’t hear any clicking, the issue might be within the ignition switch.

You should turn the appliance off and unplug it to fix the problem. Follow up by removing the grate and burner cap, then clean out all the loose food debris, and once done, reconnect the wires that might have gone loose.

If this doesn’t fix the problem, you might need a new igniter or look into the gas connection problem.

Failure of the electric coils to heat

When you turn on your electric cooktop, you expect the coils to heat so that you can cook. So, it’s out of the ordinary when you turn the unit on, but the coils don’t heat.

You will often have this problem when you have a loose connection between the coils and cooktop. If the problem came about after removing the coils for cleaning, you might not have properly put them back.

To fix the problem, you need to check whether you have correctly installed the coils, and if there is anything stuck between the coil element and stove.

The coils will also fail to heat if you have an issue with the cooktop’s internal ignition switch, which provides you with action you need to heat the burners.

If you have never diagnosed the problem before, don’t try to fix it yourself, as chances are high you will cause more problems. Instead, let an experienced professional help you out.

Gas stove clicking all the time

It’s normal for the gas stove to click when you switch it on, but if the clicking continues long after the burner is lit, you have a problem. Sometimes the clicking is too much that it prevents the burner from lighting.

This will happen when something is blocking the burner, and all you need to do is to check and ensure that the burner cap hasn’t been knocked out of place and there is no debris blocking the holes.

You should inspect the unit for any blocking material and remove it using a paperclip or any other slim, metal object.

If you remove it and the clicking continues, you might have excess moisture trapped in the cooktop, and you need to towel off the stovetop or point a fan at the cooking surface to soak up the extra water or grease.

If you do this and still the clicking continues, your appliance must be having a deeper sitting problem, and you should have it looked at by an experienced appliance repair Springfield professional.

Cooktops Repair: Tips On How To Keep Your Cooktops In Good Shape

cooktops repair

For your cooktops to retain their elegant design and last for a long time you need to take good care of them. To help you out, here are tips given by cooktops repair professionals on how to go about it:

Protect them from damage

Everything starts here. You should know that cooktops are delicate and you need to protect them from damage. One of the ways of protecting them is watching what you put on them. As rule of thumb, never place cast iron or stone cookware on the units as they will get damaged.

The bottom of the cookware might be rough thus scratching the pieces. In most cases, the scratches are permanent thus leaving your countertops with an ugly look.

You also should never drag heavy pots on the cooktops. When preparing your meals, lift and transfer the pot to another area. This protects the cooktops from scratches.

When you are trying to reach out to something at a higher place, it’s common to have the urge to step on the cooktops. Don’t do this. Even if you are doing it for a short time, you should avoid doing it as you will end up damaging the pieces.

It’s common for the cooktops to heat up when you are cooking. What do most people do? They place the stirring utensils on the warm units. Avoid this as the utensils tend to leave permanent marks on the cooktops. In some cases, they burn the countertops giving them an ugly look.

Just as you shouldn’t place pots on the cooktops, you also shouldn’t place glass bakeware on the units. If you want the units to cool down, place them on the counter—not on the cooktops.

Regularly clean the pieces

The other thing you need to do to keep the units in top condition is to clean them regularly. One of the major mistakes that many people make is to use any products to clean their cooktops. The rule of thumb is that if you can’t use a product to clean your eyeglasses, don’t use it on the cooktops.

There are plenty of safe cleaners in the market you can go for. You can also make your own homemade cream cleaners in your home for use. One of the best cleaners you can make is a paste of 50/50 baking soda and blue dawn dishwashing liquid.

Are there tough spots on the cooktops? You should get rid of them using heavy duty cleaners. You can also use vinegar to get rid of the tough spots or stuck food.

When cleaning the units, always use a soft sponge or piece of cloth. You shouldn’t use a rough material that will end up damaging the cooktops.

Remove the discoloration

If you have used cooktops for a long time, it’s common for them to get discolored. For you to keep them looking great and retain the original color, you should get rid of the discoloration. One of the most effective ways of going about it is cleaning the cooktops.

You should use a cream cleaner to do the work. Rub using a soft scrubbing pad following the grains of the stain. In some cases, you might find that the stain is too disturbing and won’t come out. In such a case, you will be better off replacing the cooktop.

Get rid of scratches

Even with the best care, it’s common for the cooktops to get scratched. In most cases, the scratches are minor and you can live with them, but if you have large scratches that you can’t live with, you should go ahead and remove them.

One of the products you can use is an automatic scratch remover. The product is designed to remove scratches from the cooktops giving them a clear, glass-like finish. When removing the scratches, watch out that you don’t cause more harm to the cooktops.

Parting shot

These are some of the things you can do to keep your cooktops in top condition at all times. When the units develop problems, you should fix them as soon as possible. If you have the skills you can do it by yourself but for ideal results, let appliance repair Fairfax professionals handle it.