Modern gas cookers use an electronic ignition system to light each burner – this system consists of a spark control module installed in the control panel, and an igniter on each individual hob. Whether one hob or several is not working properly, if you follow the following steps we can determine exactly what it is that’s at fault using only a screwdriver.
- Examine the sparks made by each of the hobs and compare them to eachother. A well-functioning ignition will make 3 to 5 blue sparks every second, so if one doesn’t perform as well as the others you know that ignition is bad. Click the button below to see our selection of ignition generators:
- Listen out for the frequency of the sparks – an igniter which works correctly will steadily create 3 to 5 sparks every second, so if they are slower it may be the result of reverse polarity. If you’re in a situation where no sparks are being created whatsoever, the spark module needs replacing. Click the button below to see our selection of spark modules:
- You may also want to check if there is any food stuck to the igniter as this may prevent it from sparking.
- Lastly, you may want to try pulling the cooker away from the wall, unplugging the power cord, and removing the back panel by taking the screws out with a screwdriver. Then examine the spark module for any misplaced wires, or any signs of damage.
If you need a new part for your hob, or if you have any questions for our team of kitchen appliance experts, please feel free to get in touch!
Is your oven grungier than Kurt Cobain's dirty laundry? You could always clean it yourself - after all, oven cleaning products are reasonably inexpensive, and given that professional oven cleaners don't work for free, you'll save a fair bit of cash by leaving the phone on the hook and getting your own hands dirty instead.
Still, we've cleaned our share of cookers, and we're well aware of how tedious and unpleasant it is. A few minutes of seemingly ineffectual scrubbing can make you want to...well, put your head in an oven, and so we won't blame you if you decide to give up, pour a glass of wine, and call in the pros.
If that's the route you want to take, here are three top oven cleaning companies who operate in and around South Wales:
The Clean Oven Co
www.thecleanovenco.com
@TheCleanOvenCo
These guys conduct a "22 point inspection" of your cooker upon arrival, so they certainly can't be accused of carelessness! The Clean Oven Co use eco-friendly cleaning agents and a stainless steel bath to clean your oven; unlike the other two businesses on this list (whom we'll meet momentarily), TCOC are exclusively an oven cleaning enterprise, so you can be sure that they know their stuff!
Mrs Bucket
www.mrs-bucket.co.uk
@MrsBucket1
If you click over to Mrs Bucket's website, the first thing you'll notice is a photo of Mrs Bucket herself with Prime Minister David Cameron. That's right - this business has been so successful that its owner has represented Wales at Downing Street! How's that for credentials? There are Mrs Bucket offices in both Cardiff and Swansea, so the whole of South Wales is pretty much covered there. We love the sly Keeping Up Appearances reference in the company logo (note the acute accent).
MSL Maintenance
www.mslmaintenance.co.uk
@mslmaintenance
Oven cleaning is just one of the many, many services that MSL provide - these Cardiffian cleaners are dedicated to transforming whole buildings, so your dirty oven should be a walk in Bute Park for them. They've been going since 2005; goodness knows how many ovens they've cleaned in the nine years since then.
