Your gas cooktop is probably the most important appliance in the kitchen. It helps you prepare hot and fresh meals for your friends and family members. But gas cooktops like other kitchen appliances tend to run into problems as well. While some problems can be easy to fix, others require a bit of digging and effort. For instance, your gas stove might click but produce no flame. There could be several reasons for this. Before you contact an appliance repair expert for fixing the cooktop, below are some troubleshooting tips to help you get the cooktop back to normal.
The Gas Is Off
If you try to switch on your gas stove and you do not hear a slight hiss sound and there is no flame, the gas is most likely shut off. You will need to check the main gas supply. Someone might have turned it off for some reason. Plus, if your gas stove was recently serviced, the technician might have switched the gas off for safety reasons.
Inspect the gas valve. See if it’s on or not. If it is on and the gas stove is still not producing any flame, you will need to check the pipe and ensure the gas is reaching the stove. It could be that the pipe is clogged or cracked due to some reason, which is not allowing the gas to pass through.
The Stove Is Unplugged
Another possible reason your gas stove might be clicking and not producing any flame is that it is simply unplugged. If your stove was recently moved or serviced, it might have been left unplugged. Try plugging in the stove to see if it functions. If that is not the case, check the plug.
Sometimes, the power source tends to be the problem as well. Try plugging in the stove into another power source to see if it works. If it does, it means the power source was the problem and you will need to get it replaced. However, if you plug in some other device and it works but the stove doesn’t, it means there is a problem with it. You will need to hire a technician to troubleshoot the issue.
The Breaker Is Tripped
A circuit breaker is a type of safety feature that shuts down the power supply if there is electric fluctuation. This is important, especially if you own a commercial restaurant. The circuit breaker helps prevent electric appliances from damaging by cutting the power.
So, if your stove is clicking but there is no flame, you might want to check the circuit breaker. Plus, it might also be that a fuse is blown. Try locating and replacing the blown fuse and if it makes the stove to turn on normally. Plus, try switching on the circuit breaker to the ON position first to see if that works.
If upon turning the circuit breaker to the ON position the stove runs back to normal but not for long until it trips again, it means the problem is something else. You will need to get it fixed before it damages your stove.
The Igniter Is Faulty
If the burner on your gas stove is clicking and taking too long to light up, it might be that the cooktop igniter is faulty or wet. A tell-tale sign of the issue is if you observe the flame being more orange than blue. One thing you should keep in mind is that you can tell a lot from the color of the flame as well.
Normally, the flame tends to be blue but if it is orange or yellow for some reason, you will need to get it checked. If you recently got your gas stove serviced or you washed it yourself, it might be that you didn’t dry the burners properly. This will prevent the burners from producing a flame. Simply allow the burner to dry or use an air dryer if you want to use the stove in a rush.
The Burner Is Clogged By Food Debris
One of the most common problems when it comes to gas stoves not lighting up is food debris clogging up the burners. Gas stoves like other kitchen appliances need maintenance regularly, especially if you are running a commercial kitchen.
Because gas stoves deal with oil, dirt dust, etc. it is highly likely that the burners get accumulated and clogged. In such cases, you will observe the flame being weak and appear yellow or orange. This indicates incomplete combustion.
This is a hazardous situation because carbon monoxide might get released in the house or kitchen. Carbon monoxide happens to be a deadly gas as it does not have any odor or color. That said, if you do not clean or maintain your gas stove regularly, you need to make a habit of cleaning it.
All you need to do is remove the covers and use a soft brush, cleaning cloth, and a chemical. Follow the directions mentioned on the product and clean the stove properly. And, if you use the stove regularly, make sure to clean it at least once a week.
Use the same cleaning tips if your cooktop’s oven doesn’t work properly. However, if it still doesn’t work, you should consider oven repair. Moreover, this is more important do if you have a commercial restaurant. Daily cleaning is extremely important and you must try cleaning before consulting commercial appliance repair Northern VA services.
The Pilot Light Is Out
If the burners still do not light after cleaning and inspecting, it might be that the pilot light on your gas stove is out. If your gas stove happens to come with an electric igniter and you recently lost power, you may have to reset the circuit breaker to get things running back to normal.
If the situation is not resolved, you will need to call a professional. Keep in mind that you should not try to experiment with the stove in an attempt to fix the issue. You might be planning to save some money but gas appliances can be unpredictable and dangerous.
You can end up with serious injuries if you access or play around with components or areas that need to be dealt with carefully. Therefore, do not hesitate to spend a bit of money and get things done the right way.
The Thermocouple Is Defective
A defective thermocouple is another reason your gas stove might not be producing a flame. This component is responsible for sensing the flame of the gas stove. Since it is an electronic device, it can malfunction due to several reasons. Unfortunately, you cannot get it repaired but only replaced.
However, thermocouples are not that sensitive and last several years before needing a replacement. By that time, you might need to replace the entire unit.
Conclusion
A gas cooktop clicking but producing no flame can be a frustrating issue. But with the tips mentioned above, you can start by looking into the right areas without wasting your time and effort. Get help from a cooktops repair Fairfax technician if the problem is difficult to fix. Plus, you will need to maintain your gas cooktop with the help of a professional regularly to avoid complications down the road. This way, you get to increase the lifespan of the unit as well.
