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what is a gas stove igniter

by Dr. Gilberto Hoppe Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Gas stove burners have igniters that spark when activated with a knob; this spark mixes with gas from the appliance to create a hot burner for cooking. However, the igniters on the gas stove can malfunction, preventing the burners from activating.

Full Answer

Why is the igniter on my Stove not clicking?

  • the ceramic surrounding a gas igniter is cracked and is shorting to the metal range top
  • food or grease spillage around the igniter pin is insulating it from the flame
  • orifices in the gas burner are clogged and not delivering gas around the igniter

More items...

How to troubleshoot a stove igniter?

Solving Igniter Problems in Your Gas Oven

  • Diagnosing Problems Through Noise. Most often, appliance owners are able to diagnose igniter problems through noise alone. ...
  • Cleaning A Gas Igniter. In most gas ovens, the igniters are hidden away under a bottom covering. ...
  • Replacing a Faulty Igniter. ...

How do gas stoves ignite?

How do gas stove igniters work? The igniter on a typical gas burner draws its power from a 120-volt household circuit. This voltage is high enough to cause the electricity to arc through the air to the base of the burner; from there it flows back to ground. The arcing, which is the same phenomenon as lightning, produces the spark.

Do gas stoves always have a flame?

Gas stoves are always hot because they have a standing pilot light, which is the source of its ignition. This pilot light is a small burning gas flame that normally stays on all the time, and the heat it generates warms the stove .

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How do I know if my ignitor is bad on my gas stove?

0:162:18Oven Not Heating? Igniter Testing – Gas Oven Troubleshooting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the igniter is glowing but the burner has not been lit after 90 seconds. There is a highMoreIf the igniter is glowing but the burner has not been lit after 90 seconds. There is a high probability that the igniter has weakened.

How does a gas stove top igniter work?

When you turn the knob on, electricity flows to the igniter creating a small spark. A small flow of gas goes into the burner while the igniter sparks. The spark mixes with the gas to create the fire you use to cook your food. This is how a gas stove burner igniter works.

How does gas stove spark igniter work?

The igniter on a typical gas burner draws its power from a 120-volt household circuit. When you turn on the stove, you complete the spark circuit, which energizes a capacitor at the spark terminal to create a voltage in the range of 15,000 volts.

What does a gas oven igniter look like?

0:081:29Replacing an Oven Igniter in a Gas Range - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's wired in series with the safety gas valve for the oven the safety gas valve won't open unlessMoreIt's wired in series with the safety gas valve for the oven the safety gas valve won't open unless it detects that the igniter is hot enough to light the burner gas replace.

How much does an igniter cost for a gas oven?

between $150 and $300Gas Stove Igniter Replacement Cost The cost to replace your gas stove igniter is between $150 and $300. You might need a replacement if your stovetop won't stop clicking, the pilot light goes out or your burner won't light.

Do gas stove igniters wear out?

The igniter on your gas oven is a fundamental part when it comes to heating your oven up. A gas oven igniter works by sparking and heating the gas emitted from the oven, so without it, the oven will not be able to produce heat. However, as so much rests on this little igniter, they are prone to a bit of wear and tear.

What causes oven igniter failure?

An oven igniter can fail when it's worn out, causing it not to draw enough current to open the gas valve and ignite the gas. The solution is to replace a worn out igniter — there may be some other issues with your oven system, but you would have found them at this point.

How do you fix a stove ignitor?

0:031:09Gas Stove Ignitor and Burner Not Lighting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can see that. You can certainly hear it clicking and this one is sparking. So if that happensMoreYou can see that. You can certainly hear it clicking and this one is sparking. So if that happens take a paper clip. And clear out any burned on food clean it out put it back together.

How long do oven igniters last?

Even after the burner lights up, the HSI is on the entire oven cycle. If you do a lot of baking you can expect to live two to three years. You might not be able to find an oven with a pilot in a commercial range/oven.

Where is the igniter located on a gas oven?

They are located at the rear of the oven plate. Pull the oven plate out and you'll be able to see the ignitor.

How do I clean the igniter on my gas stove?

The igniter is situated at the gas orifice, which is often at the back of the oven. Use the toothbrush and a paste of baking soda and water or a 50/50 vinegar solution to clean the surface of the igniter. Avoid cleaners with bleach, ammonia or any other chemical that could produce noxious fumes.

How do I clean the igniter on my gas oven?

Clean the igniter with a toothbrush to remove dirt and debris. Gently scrub the surface of the igniter with the toothbrush and softly blow on it when finished to remove the debris. This will facilitate better sparking.

Why does my gas stove spark igniter not work?

The gas igniter wire is loose, broken, shorted, damaged: If there is no spark at all and if the appliance has power, the problem may be a loose or disconnected wire between the control module and the igniter, or a wire that has shorted.

How does an igniter module work?

In this setup, an ignition module uses a high-voltage electric current to produce a spark; the spark arcs across a gap between electrodes in the module and ignites the gas. The module produces a pulsing spark a few times a second while the ignition switch, which is usually part of the burner control knob, is turned on.

How do you clean the igniter on a gas stove?

The igniter is situated at the gas orifice, which is often at the back of the oven. Use the toothbrush and a paste of baking soda and water or a 50/50 vinegar solution to clean the surface of the igniter. Avoid cleaners with bleach, ammonia or any other chemical that could produce noxious fumes.

Why isn't my gas stove clicking?

The most likely reason why a stove no longer makes a clicking noise is due to a faulty spark module. Like most types of electric components, spark modules can burn out and stop working over time. When this happens, the module will no longer be able to create the spark necessary to ignite the gas.

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What Are The Most Common Gas Range Igniter Problems?

The most common issue with gas burners is trouble getting the spark to ignite the gas.

How many sparks does a spark igniter produce?

Burner Color Changes. A properly operating spark igniter will produce about three to five blue sparks per second while igniting . If the sparks are very light in color, almost white, the igniter electrode may be weakened and will likely need to be replaced.

What happens if the spark igniter does not stop clicking?

If the spark igniter lights the burner but does not stop clicking, the igniter electrode is likely dirty, and the metal rod of the electrode should be scrubbed clean.

What happens if the spark igniter electrode is moved out of its position?

If the spark igniter electrode has been moved out of its position, it also may not ignite the incoming gas and click continuously.

How thick should the gap between the igniter electrode and burner base be?

The gap between the igniter electrode and burner base should be about the thickness of two dimes. If the burner is in the correct position, but the gas is still not igniting, check to make sure the porthole is clear by inserting a needle into the hole.

Why won't my igniter light?

Igniter Won’t Light. A burner with a spark ignition may have trouble igniting after being cleaned, as left-over moisture may be on the igniter electrode . If the spark igniter electrode has been moved out of its position, it also may not ignite the incoming gas and click continuously.

Why does my spark igniter keep clicking?

Igniter Constantly Clicks. After being scrubbed clean, if the spark igniter is still clicking continuously, the electrical polarity at the outlet may be reversed, or the outlet may not be grounded; this would likely only be the case if the range is newly installed.

How many times does a stove igniter click?

A normal igniter clicks up to three times before it sparks and lights your stove. Sometimes, however, the igniter will click continuously—even after the stove is lit. The following are some of the more possible causes and solutions to the problem.

What is the problem with the power supply to the igniter?

Problem with the power supply to the igniter. An ignitor that doesn’t get hot enough to open up the valve. No gas flowing through the valve. An ignitor that fails to get hot enough to set the oven gas aflame.

What happens if the burner element of an oven is broken?

If the burner element of an oven is broken, it might be impossible for the oven to reach the set temperature.

Why does my gas range keep heating up?

Modern gas ranges have thermostats and thermal sensors built into them to control their oven temperature. If the thermostat or thermal sensor is faulty or calibrated wrongly, it may stop your oven from heating up. Some thermal sensors also have thermal fuses. The thermal fuse may blow up if the oven overheats.

How to check continuity of stove?

Use a multimeter on each of the stove switches. A spark ignition switch that shows continuity is faulty and should be replaced.

What is a spark ignition system?

Spark ignition systems are modified pilot ignition systems. Instead of relying on a pilot flame to ignite the cooking gas, a spark is used to light the pilot gas. The spark module powers the spark electrode for each surface burner. Damaged spark modules may begin to spark continuously on their own. If the spark modules of your stove are damaged, ...

Why won't my oven ignite?

The pilot flame may fail to ignite the oven burner if it’s poorly adjusted or if the tubes running from the pilot flame to the burners are blocked.

What is the ignition system on a gas range?

Most gas ranges currently available employ one of 3 basic gas ignition systems; pilot ignition, hot surface ignition system (which uses a 'glow bar' or 'glow coil' - aka an "ignitor") and a spark ignition system . The latter two being referred to as "electronic ignition" systems as they use electricity in one form or another to operate the oven heating system. Only the pilot ignition system has an actual "pilot" (which is a small but real "flame") which might need manual lighting.

How does an oven ignition work?

Once the oven ignitor draws a specific amount of current the oven valve opens to allow gas to flow to the oven burner where the glowing hot ignitor (glow bar) ignites it. Power must continually flow through the ignitor and oven gas valve for gas to be released into the oven burner to create a flame. Once the set temperature is achieved the control stops all power to the ignition circuit which causes the ignitor to dim and the oven gas valve to close, stopping any burner flame. Cycling on and off continues to maintain the specific temperature the control is set for.

What does a pilot flame switch do?

This system uses a 'flame switch' to detect that the pilot is lit instead of a safety valve like on the pilot ignition system. The thermostat on such a system is just electrical and does not alter gas flow to the oven. The pilot flame should heat the tip of the flame switch's sensor bulb to a red colour.

What is pilot ignition?

On a pilot ignition oven, there is a pilot which is an actual gas flame (although very small) in the oven. What happens in this system is that the pilot stays lit all the time and when the oven thermostat is turned on, the pilot flame extends (gets bigger) to envelope the thermocouple bulb of the oven safety valve.

Why do flame switches need to be closed?

The flame switch's contacts must be closed when its sensor is heated by the pilot. The thermostat's contacts must close when turned on to allow current to flow to the rest of the oven system. A fault in any of those functions will prevent gas from flowing to the oven burner as a safety precaution.

How long does it take for a DSI to ignite?

If no flame is present at the burner, the DSI module will allow the ignitor to spark for 4 seconds. A 30 second pause will then occur, after which time it will attempt to light the burner again. If gas still fails to ignite, the microcomputer will then lock the system out.

How long does it take for a gas oven to light?

In a properly operating system it should usually only take in the area of 30-45 seconds for the oven burner to receive gas and to light. Oven burner not getting gas. The pilot must be lit before electrical current will flow through the flame switch to the oven gas valve to allow gas to the oven burner.

What is the flame igniter control module?

The gas flame igniter control module has failed: the igniter control module on modern gas appliances including stovetops is a solid-state device inside the appliance (usually inside the stovetop for cookstoves and ranges) that creates the high-voltage electrical pulse sent to the ceramic-and-metal igniter that you see at the edge of the gas burner.

Where is the spark on a gas burner?

You should see a strong white spark between the igniter pin and the metal edge of the gas burner.

What does it mean when a gas burner is yellow?

Uneven or yellow gas flame: check for gas burner top that is not properly in place. This is not an igniter problem but a flame problem. Similarly if the burner ignites the flame should be mostly blue with a yellow tip. If the flame is mostly yellow the air mixture or fuel adjustment or regulator adjustment is improper.

What to do if no igniter sparks?

If none of the igniters spark check for a power failure. Check that the appliance is plugged in and that its circuit breaker or fuse is on or intact. If there is electrical power to the stove or cooktop but no igniters spark or click the igniter module may need replacement.

Why is my gas stove sparking weak?

A weak spark may be due to water on the igniter, wet wiring, a cracked damaged igniter or on occasion a failing igniter module. If all of the igniters spark that may be normal operation for your gas range or cooktop.

What does the W on Jenn Air CCG2520 mean?

I solved a sparking Jenn-Air CCG2520 (actually CCG2520W but the "W" just indicates that the cooktop is white). First off I would direct anyone with Jenn-Air gas cooktops to this manual which covers many models, not just mine: Jenn-Air-Ccg2420.html

Why does my gas stove top get wet?

The gas flame igniter wiring becomes wet by using too much liquid when cleaning the stove top. In this case the igniter may fail to stop clicking, or may fail to ignite the burner until the wiring has dried. Use less liquid and don't spill liquids into the stove top interior.

What is a hot surface igniter?

The hot surface igniter is used in modern gas oven burners to open the gas valve and to ignite the gas. As the igniter draws electric current it will heat to a high temperature and glow, as well as cause the bi metal in the oven safety valve to warp and open the valve releasing the gas to be ignited. This sequence normally takes about a minute.

Where is the hot surface igniter located?

While the location varies between models, the hot surface igniter is usually found near the oven burners, you may need to remove the bottom panel in order to access it.

Why is my oven not lighting?

On modern electronic control ranges, the oven temperature sensor is the part that regulates the oven temperature. If it is not working properly it could be the reason why the oven is not lighting. Most modern ovens will display a fault code if the oven sensor is at fault.

How to clean a gas stove?

Using a small needle, clean the pilot hole where the gas passes through. Remove any dirt, debris, or gunk that may be blocking the gas flow. Visually inspect your igniter to see if it sparks properly. After verifying that you have disconnected the gas supply, press the ignition button on your stove while looking for sparks coming off the igniter .

What is the purpose of an electronic control board in an oven?

Most modern ovens use an electronic control board to control the oven functions. These models will use the control board to operate the oven safety valve.

Where is the safety valve on an oven?

Remove the safety valve in order to test it. Your safety valve will likely be near the burners and/or igniters. In order to access it you will likely need to remove the back panel of your oven, and possibly heat shields covering the burners/igniters.

Where is the temperature sensor on an oven?

Remove the temperature sensor in order to test it. It is often found inside the oven, on the rear wall near the top.

What is an igniter on a gas stove?

In short, an igniter is a miniature lightning strike. A gas stove igniter requires very little maintenance and you seldom have to clean it. However, if the electrode gets wet or caked with solidified grease, electricity won't arc, although you'll still hear the clicking sound of the control module.

What is the function of an oven igniter?

When an oven igniter reaches the requisite temperature, a bimetallic valve opens and allows gas to flow to the burner, which the igniter ignites. The oven igniter can easily get caked with gristle, and keeping it clean is as important as cleaning ...

How to remove igniters from stove top?

With the cooktop propped up or completely removed, you can see all the igniters, which are usually clipped onto the burner assembly with retaining clips and connected with quick-disconnect fittings. Disconnect each one, remove the clip and take it off the stove for deeper cleaning with a toothbrush.

What happens if a gas stove igniter is wet?

If a gas stove igniter sparks weakly or not at all, it could be wet. Perhaps someone allowed a pot to boil over and some of the water got onto the igniter and hasn't evaporated yet. Dry off the igniter with a paper towel and it should start working, but do this only when all the other burners are off.

How to clean gunk from a gas igniter?

To clean this, make sure the controls are off, remove the burner cap and then chip away at the gunk with a plastic toothpick or similar implement . If you have to do a more extensive cleaning job, use a toothbrush and bleach-free cleaner, such as water and baking soda, vinegar or dish soap.

Why does my gas stove make a clicking sound?

If your gas stove makes a clicking sound when you turn on a burner , it has an electronic ignitor as opposed to a standing pilot, which is found mostly on older models. The clicking sound is produced by high-voltage electricity, which is generated by a transformer and passed between an electrode and a post on the stove placed close enough ...

Why do oven igniters work when wet?

Because it glows rather than produces sparks, an oven igniter can function when it's wet. Even so, it's a good idea to let it dry out after cleaning before you use the stove.

What does it mean when an oven igniter goes bad?

Not only will a faulty igniter mean your oven will not produce any flame or heat, but it could mean that it continues to release natural gas as it tries to ignite. That is something that no one wants. If you believe your oven is having igniter problems, ...

What is happening when a gas igniter is not working?

The gas is released and built up until when it finally does ignite, it causes a small explosion . This signals slow ignition that most likely comes from dirty igniters.

What to do if igniter is not working?

Before beginning, you will want to disconnect your oven from its power source as well as to shut off the gas to it.

How to tell if an igniter is bad?

Most often, appliance owners are able to diagnose igniter problems through noise alone. By listening to your gas oven , you can actually tell if igniter problems are coming. Obviously, the most concrete sign is when your oven isn’t producing heat. As there is no electric element in a gas oven, when the igniter doesn’t work, the oven can produce no heat. Though often, signs of the igniter going outcome before this happens.

Why does my oven make a clicking noise?

One other noise to look out for is excessive clicking. Like gas burners on your stove, the oven igniter may click when it is trying to ignite the gas. However, if it keeps clicking, this means the igniter isn’t lighting the gas, but it is still trying.

What happens when the igniter doesn't work?

As there is no electric element in a gas oven, when the igniter doesn’t work, the oven can produce no heat. Though often, signs of the igniter going outcome before this happens. One noise you want to look out for is a loud boom noise.

How to remove old igniter?

You want to install the new igniter in that same position. You will want to begin by removing the mounts on the igniter and pulling upwards to reveal two wires. These need to be removed. Some igniters may be secured using wire nuts that will also need to be removed.

How to check if a burner igniter is working?

Take a clamp-on type ammeter, and attach it to the circuit to determine whether the igniter is working efficiently enough to open the safety valve. Clamp your meter onto the wire that either goes to the bake burner igniter or the bake burner safety valve. Turn on the bake function, and see what current is drawn.

How many amps does an oven igniter draw?

Turn on the bake function, and see what current is drawn. Typically your meter will show 2.8 – 3.0 amps for a normal current draw for a working igniter. If your meter is showing 2.7 or lower then you can assume that the igniter is not drawing enough current to actually ignite the flame, and therefore it won’t open the oven safety valve to allow ...

How to test a glow bar igniter?

For a “hot surface” or “glow bar igniter” you can test their power continuity using a multimeter. Simply insert both leads onto the terminals for the igniter and measure the resistance. If it shows resistance, it has continuity. No resistance? No continuity. Typically these will be somewhere between 80 and 175 ohms of resistance for a working igniter.

What causes a gas stove to turn on when there is no flame?

Trouble turning on your gas stove? If your igniter is glowing but there is no flame, then one of two components in your range are at fault. These components are the “safety valve” and the igniter itself.

How to test oven safety valve?

The Oven Safety Valve. To test the oven safety valve, measure between the two terminals, on the valve and look for continuity. The resistance here is low, but you should be able to detect 1 to 1.5 ohms. If your model uses a dual valve, one for the broil burner and one for the bake burner, then you will have two bi-metals ...

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