Troubleshooting Gas Stoves in Green's Newer Homes

The Oven Igniter: The Part That Wears Out First

Most gas ovens built in recent decades use a hot surface igniter, sometimes called a glow bar. When you set the oven, the igniter heats until it glows, and once it draws enough current, the oven's safety valve opens and gas flows to the burner. It is a clever setup, but the igniter weakens with use.

A weak igniter still glows, which confuses many homeowners. The problem is that it no longer draws enough current to open the valve quickly, or at all. The result is an oven that takes a long time to light, lights with a soft whoomp, or never heats.

• Oven takes more than a minute or two to light after you set it
• A small puff or thump when the burner finally catches
• Igniter glows orange but no flame appears
• Oven heats unevenly or cycles off and will not relight
• A faint gas smell in the moments before ignition

Cooktop Problems in Ten- to Twenty-Year-Old Stoves

Spark igniters on the cooktop hold up longer, but after years of spills and cleaning, a few issues show up. Electrodes crack, spark switches behind the knobs wear, and burner caps warp so they no longer sit flat. A burner that clicks a long time before lighting, or clicks after the flame is going, usually has one of those problems.

We test spark at each burner and check the gas flow before replacing anything, so you only pay for the part that is actually at fault.

Repair the Original Stove or Upgrade?

Builder-grade stoves are basic, but they are often simple and inexpensive to repair. An oven igniter or spark switch is a routine fix. If the stove is working fine apart from one part, repair is usually the economical choice.

On the other hand, if you are already unhappy with the stove's size, burner output or features, a failure can be a good moment to upgrade. We can connect the new stove with a new connector and valve. If you are considering a larger range, see our gas range installation in Green, or our Green cooktop service if a separate cooktop fits your kitchen better.

What We Check When Connecting a Replacement

Newer homes in Green generally have accessible shutoffs and modern piping, so hookups tend to be simple. We still confirm the valve works, replace the connector with a new one sized for the stove, and check that the outlet behind the stove is where the new cord can reach it.

After the stove is in place, we leak test the connection, attach the anti-tip bracket, and light every burner and the oven to make sure the flames are blue and steady. If the new stove needs more gas than the existing branch was built for, our natural gas line work can handle that.

Serving Green and the Surrounding Area

Green sits in southern Summit County between Akron and North Canton, and we also work in New Franklin, Lakemore, Canal Fulton and Barberton. Call 330-875-8003 for a free estimate, or read our overview of gas stove service for more on how we work.