The history of gas stoves dates back to 1825. Then gas factory worker James Charm patented his invention - the first gas stove. From that moment on, the equipment has firmly established itself practically in kitchens, delighting its owners with ease of use and maintenance, efficiency, reliability and durability.
Gas stoves are constantly being improved, with new useful options and programs appearing in functionality. One of them is electric ignition. Let's find out what electric ignition of a gas stove is, what its advantages are and how to fix it if it breaks.
What is electric ignition
This is a convenient additional function when the gas is ignited by the operation of a piezoelectric element or an electric candle. Electric ignition allows you to ignite gas safely and protects users from the possibility of getting burned, as there is no need for lighters or matches.
In some publications the name piezoignition or piezoignition appears; there is no difference in design, they are simply called as convenient, and the basis is that the spark is provided by a piezoelectric element. This scheme is used on budget models; the user has to use both hands to ignite the burner.
How to light a fire
If you have never encountered gas stoves before, then the question of how to light a gas stove may be very relevant. To do this, you need to adhere to a certain algorithm. First of all, you need to ventilate the room. The following steps should be followed step by step:
- Open the tap on the pipe or valve if using a gas cylinder.
- Light the burner.
This process occurs differently depending on the type of stove and the source of fire. The stove can be lit in the following ways:
Modern models of gas stoves are equipped with a built-in electric ignition system. This function can be displayed on a separate button, or it can be built into the burner tap. This is the only case when turning the stove tap can simultaneously light the burner. In other models, you must first provide a fire (spark), and then open the burner valve. The tap opens clockwise when slightly pressed inward. Read about how to light a gas stove oven here.
The flame should be a distinct blue color and evenly distributed around the burner. If it slips in, close the tap and re-ignite the burner. The optimal flame height should not exceed 2-2.5 cm and is adjusted by turning the valve handle. If there is a draft in the room, the flame will tend to break away from the burner, which is dangerous from a fire safety point of view. If there is too much air, you need to close the window. If there is a lack of air, the color of the flame will clearly change from blue to yellow, and carbon monoxide will be released, which is dangerous to human health.
Types of electric ignition
The mechanical or semi-automatic option is that when you turn the regulator that turns on the gas supply, you must simultaneously press the start button so that the device installed inside ignites the gas-air mixture. This function is not entirely convenient, since you need to work with both hands.
Automatic ignition works differently: when you turn the handle of the gas regulator, it is ignited automatically, a spark is given by a special candle located next to the burner. There is a small nuance: before turning, you need to lightly press the switch, this closes the electrical circuit, and a spark jumps between the candle and the burner body, igniting the gas.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
What the pilot hole in a gas oven looks like and where it is located is described in the video below. Additionally, the video shows how to remove the protective plate and gain access to the burner.
Information on how to light a flame in an oven without electric ignition with gas control in the following video:
As with any gas equipment, working with the oven must be extremely careful. Pay attention to any alarming dysfunctions of the device and contact specialists in time to avoid emergency situations. .
And lighting a flame in a gas oven is quite simple: you only need to learn how to do it correctly once, after which the hostess will not need any outside help.
Would you like to supplement the information presented with useful recommendations or comments? Or do you still have questions that we did not cover in this material? Ask them to our experts and other site visitors - the feedback form is located below.
The main advantages and features of stoves with electric ignition
Many consumers are accustomed to using matches or lighters to light their old, but still quite reliable products from the last century. Today, almost all models of modern gas stoves are equipped with a mechanical or automatic ignition device, so the outdated method is considered a rudiment. Buyers should be aware that this function does not affect the final cost of the product.
Among the advantages of stoves with electric ignition, experts note the following nuances:
- Now the user does not need to buy extra matches or look for a reliable lighter that can function for a long time - using such a stove is much more convenient.
- Automatic ignition protects you from possible burns when gas flares up.
- If the user has been using a similar electric product for a long time, then getting used to the control of a gas stove with automatic ignition will be quick.
There is only one negative quality: in the event of a sudden power outage, which happens quite often in some regions of Russia, you will not be able to light the gas; this function does not work without voltage in the network, so a box of matches should be kept in stock.
Possible faults
Due to the fact that equipment begins to break down from prolonged use, you need to know what to look for in order to quickly deal with breakdowns. If we are talking about electric ignition, then the following signs of malfunction may include:
- lack of response after pressing the ignition button or the burner knob after using it;
- auto-ignition is fully usable and is triggered by touch and constantly clicks, but does not provide the necessary spark to ignite the burner;
- continuation of auto-ignition even after the contact with the button or switch handle has ceased;
- the device begins to work independently without pressing a button or burner knob.
If the electric ignition stops working, there are a number of reasons for this:
- lack of contact with the electrode, which ultimately does not produce a spark;
- the presence of any type of contamination or moisture that gets onto the inside of the system or sparks;
- violation of the integrity of the ceramic shell of the candle in the form of a crack appearing on it or its complete destruction;
- the transformer burned out, therefore no spark is generated;
- oxidation of the contacts of the auto-ignition button has occurred;
- the appearance of carbon deposits on the contacts due to a short circuit.
To understand the cause of the problem and find out why the stove does not ignite well or the process does not occur at all, it is necessary to do a full inspection of the device. Once the problem is identified, if you have knowledge and experience, you can solve it yourself or call a technician as soon as malfunctions in the operation of the device are discovered. The most likely causes of failure may be the following:
- charger malfunction;
- problems with a device that is powered by electricity;
- problems with the arrester.
Malfunctions of the charger can begin after contact with soda, core or detergents. You can cope with the situation without outside help, for which you will need sandpaper, which is used to clean the charger, after which it is left to dry completely. If such actions do not lead to the desired result, you should seek qualified help. If a problem is discovered with a device that is powered by high-voltage charging, that is, a transformer located inside the stove, then there is no point in repairing it; you need to buy a new part and replace the damaged one. Such replacement blocks can be universal, they are suitable for any stove, and there are those that are made specifically for a specific brand of household appliances.
If the spark gap is damaged, a spark is formed not only inside the structure, but also comes to the surface to the burners. In this case, you should not do the repairs yourself, since the problem may be serious and only a knowledgeable person can solve it.
If there is a spark on the device, but the stove cannot be ignited, you should pay attention to such possible reasons as:
- violation of the integrity of the housing, due to which the spark will go in a random direction and will not fall into the electrical ignition area; if the charger deteriorates, it cannot be repaired, you will need to replace the part with a new one;
- the gas pressure is too high, which interferes with the stable operation of the ignition - to cope with this situation, you need to adjust the gas supply parameters so that they are optimal for the full operation of the device and its comfortable use;
- checking the condition of the nozzle - a malfunction of any elements can lead to problems with ignition, so you need to check whether there is any grease, moisture or dirt on the parts; Using a simple wire you can clean the burner and fix the problem.
To understand whether the burner itself is working correctly, you need to light it and look at its operation. The flame after ignition should have a purple color, but if it is yellow or orange, then there are some deviations. Another important point is the correct distribution of fire, which should be uniform and have the same height. If there is fire on one side but not on the other, or the height is not the same, it is worth checking that the divider is installed correctly. In addition, the reason may be incorrect installation of the stove itself, which was placed on an uneven floor, as a result of which the operation of the device is impaired.
If the stove is still under warranty, you should not touch it at all; the service center specialists will do this for free. If the fault lies somewhere inside, you should contact a specialist who will quickly fix it without the risk of damaging the device or harming your health.
To learn how to correct problems with the electric ignition of a gas stove, see the following video.
Requirements for a stove with electric ignition
Each model of a modern gas stove must have an electrical connection for automatic ignition and oven lighting to work. The connection cord is included. If there is no socket nearby, then it is necessary to draw a separate line with a wire with three cores and a cross-section of at least 1.5 mm, and install a 16 A circuit breaker, such as an RCD or a regular circuit breaker, on the common panel.
To carry out the work, it is better to invite a professional electrician from the housing office, so that later there will be no problems due to overload of the electrical network in the apartment.
Ignition on gas stove does not work
Like any other technical device, electric ignition can fail after some time. In order to independently determine the malfunction and correctly present the problem to a specialist, you should learn a very small amount of useful information. But after a simple diagnosis, you will know for sure that it is the mechanical electric ignition of the gas stove that has broken down, and in simple cases, you can fix the defect yourself.
Symptoms of a problem
The main symptoms of breakdown of elements of the electric ignition system:
- the gas does not ignite when the corresponding button is pressed;
- electrical discharges continue continuously even when the button or handle is released;
- clicks are heard without sparking;
- The circuit breaker in the panel is triggered.
Main signs of ignition failure
Causes of failure
Common reasons for refusal are:
- grease and other liquids getting on buttons and other parts of the system, which causes a short circuit;
- contamination of the candle, causing its uneven heating or sudden cooling with subsequent cracking of the ceramic shell;
- due to mechanical defects or as a result of long-term operation, the transformer of the ignition unit burned out;
- oxidation of the contacts has occurred, preventing the normal closure of the circuit.
Damage may occur during wet cleaning
How to fix electric ignition yourself: tips
If the electric ignition on your gas stove is not working properly, there is no need to immediately call a repair service. Try to figure out the problem yourself. First, you should make sure that the burners themselves are working properly by lighting the gas in them one by one with a regular match. Then it is necessary to determine whether the entire system is faulty or only its local part, responsible for a specific burner. Be sure to carefully inspect all ignition elements.
Sometimes you can restore functionality yourself if you have accurately determined the cause of the failure and are able to eliminate it. To carry out repairs safely, the device must be disconnected from the network by unplugging the plug from the socket.
Checking the spark generation unit
If dirt is found on the candles, they are thoroughly cleaned. If water gets on the ignition buttons, it is recommended to wipe the damp area with a cloth and dry it with a household hairdryer. When the contacts are oxidized or burnt, they are cleaned to a homogeneous metal.
Advice! Cleaning any metal parts is easy using fine-grained sandpaper.
When to contact a specialist
Not every user has the skills of a mechanic or electrician. If you could not even determine the cause of the breakdown and do not have special knowledge, entrust the process of diagnosis and subsequent repair to a professional technician. An experienced specialist will not only quickly find the source of the malfunction and perform all mechanical work, but will also select the correct spare part if replacement is necessary.
A professional will definitely find the cause of the breakdown and fix it
Checked! Reputable repair organizations are responsible for the results of repairs and do not lead to repeated calls with the same problem.
The most common faults are spark plugs operating in high temperature zones and ignition units. Knowing the brand of the stove, the repairman called to your home will most likely take the necessary spare parts with him.
The services of a repairman for a gas stove with automatic ignition will not be cheap, but to guarantee quality, safety and eliminate the risk of additional costs associated with unqualified intervention by an amateur, you will have to use them. This is especially true when working with the internal structure of the device.
Impact piezo ignition circuit
Universal shock ignition of gas using piezoelectric elements was used on domestic gas products back in Soviet times, but today it is practically not used. Its operating principle is based on a shock pulse when the user presses a button. The main components of the design: body, rod with striker, piezoelectric element, powerful spring and electrical wiring.
Similar mechanisms were installed on gas products in the last century. The device was rigidly fixed to the body of the product, because when the button was pressed, users made significant efforts, at which point the firing pin was cocked and then hit the head of the piezoelectric element strongly, resulting in the generation of a spark with a voltage of 10-15 thousand V.
Its power was enough to ignite the gas, but this is not dangerous for the user, since the current strength is very low, it will only pinch the fingers. This scheme was subsequently abandoned.
Scheme of modern electric ignition
It is electric ignition with the participation of candles that is used in all luxury models; the circuits used are different, but the basis is identical. Power is always supplied from a standard electrical network with a voltage of 220 V. The operating principle of the circuit will be clear only to specialists - there are so many specific names such as resistors, primary and secondary windings of a transformer or induction coils.
It is enough for users to know that when the switch is turned, the electrical circuit is closed at the same time; the starting spark plug creates only on the burner where access to gas is open. Home craftsmen can get acquainted with a detailed diagram of the installed ignition in the operating instructions.
How to turn on the grill in a gas oven?
Many buyers strive to purchase an oven with a grill function. This is one of the most useful options for preparing delicious dishes. Thanks to the grill, you can savor crispy chicken and you don’t have to travel far to cook it over a fire.
Included with the grill function, in some models, is a valve, perhaps even a convection or fan function, thanks to which the cooking time is accelerated. If there is no spit, you should turn the dish more often so that the heat is distributed more evenly. If there is no fan function, you need to keep the oven door slightly open during operation.
Grill in gas oven
Turning on the grill in a gas oven is very simple:
- You need to place the oven burner tap handle on the grill mark (basically a square with three triangles at the top)
- Light the oven (manually with matches, or with electric ignition, depending on the type of oven)
- Make sure there is a constant supply of gas to the oven.
- After completing the cooking process, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the equipment before next use. Before using the stove, you should read the instructions for use
