Replacing the Original Gas Cooktop in a Stow Home

Signs the Old Cooktop Has Had Its Run

An older cooktop does not need to be replaced just because of its age. But some signs point to a unit, or the gas parts beneath it, that are due.

• Standing pilot lights that burn all the time, or pilots that keep going out
• Knobs that are stiff, loose or leak a faint gas smell when turned
• Burners that light slowly or unevenly even after cleaning
• Rust or flaking on the burner box seen from the cabinet below
• An old uncoated brass connector or a valve that will not turn
• Replacement parts for your model are no longer available

Pilot Lights Versus Electronic Ignition

Some older cooktops use small standing pilot flames that stay lit around the clock and light the burners when a knob is turned. They use gas continuously, add a little heat to the kitchen, and need relighting when they go out. Current cooktops use electronic spark ignition instead, which uses gas only when a burner is on but requires an outlet in the cabinet.

When we replace a pilot-style unit, we confirm there is power available inside the base cabinet, or arrange for an electrician to add an outlet before install day. A pilot that keeps going out can also leave a faint gas smell, which is a reason not to delay.

What We Replace Underneath

Taking out an old cooktop opens up the cabinet for a full look at the gas parts. In older Stow homes we commonly replace the shutoff valve and the connector, and occasionally a short section of corroded pipe or a fitting that was overtightened decades ago. Every new connection is leak-tested, and we pressure-test any new pipe.

If the branch line itself is in poor condition or too small for a newer, more powerful cooktop, our Stow gas line repair service can replace it from the trunk.

Fitting a New Cooktop Into an Old Counter

Older cooktop openings rarely match today's sizes exactly. If the existing countertop is staying, measure the opening carefully and look for a new model whose cutout is the same or slightly larger, since a fabricator can usually enlarge laminate or stone a bit but cannot shrink it. Some manufacturers make models specifically meant to cover older cutouts.

If the countertop is being replaced too, the old opening does not matter, and the project becomes a good time to rethink the whole layout. Our kitchen remodeling team in Stow can coordinate the gas rough-in with cabinets and counters. Considering a freestanding unit instead? See our stove installation in Stow.

Leak Repairs and Booking

If you smell gas at an older cooktop when it is off, close the cabinet valve if it is safe and call us; for a strong odor, leave and call the utility or 911 from outside. We trace the source, which is often a worn connector, a pilot that has gone out, or a failing knob valve inside the appliance, and fix or replace what is at fault. Stow is about 27 miles from our East Canton shop by straight line, and we also serve Silver Lake, Munroe Falls, Cuyahoga Falls, Tallmadge and Kent. Every job starts with a free estimate. See our gas cooktop service hub for more.