When in the kitchen, you may already have a favorite burner on your cooktop. Sometimes, you may find that one burner will suddenly stop working. Whether the igniter stopped sparking or there is no spark at all, this cooktop problem will need an immediate solution.
For people who love to cook, you must learn some basic troubleshooting methods on how to fix Thermador cooktop. These methods are easy to follow and will help you maintain your cooktop for a long time.
Simple Troubleshooting Methods for a Thermador Gas Range
Yes, having a Thermador gas range that is not working can be troublesome. But the good news is that you can easily perform a few troubleshooting steps to possibly get it to work again. Here are a few easy ways on how to fix Thermador cooktop.
Check the electricity and gas sources.
If you find that your Thermador gas range igniter is not sparking at all, there may be a simple fix to this problem. The technology used by Thermador for gas cooktops needs both gas and electricity to work. Gas is used to produce the flame on your cooktop, while electricity is responsible for the spark that you see when you turn it on. This spark will ignite the gas and produce the flame.
The first thing to do is to check that your gas line does not have any leaks. Make sure that the line is turned on and connected properly to your cooktop. If there is no problem with the gas source, then you must check your electricity source.
To properly check the electricity source, here is a quick checklist of what you must do.
- Check that your gas cooktop is plugged properly into the electric outlet on the wall. Do not use an extension cord because this type of cord may not be able to supply enough electricity to power your cooktop.
- Carefully inspect the connecting wires to make sure that there are no damages.
- Lastly, double-check the circuit breaker panel that the breaker for your cooktop is turned on.
If you have checked that all these things are connected properly and turned on accordingly, and yet your Thermador gas range igniter is still not working, proceed to the other tips below.
Check that the burner caps are installed correctly.
A common problem of gas cooktops is the improper installation of burner caps. These caps protect the burner and come in direct contact with the flames. These are the round metal parts of your cooktop where you will see the flames.
Thermador cooktop models are very sensitive to how the burner caps are installed. This is an added safety feature of the cooktop. It prevents flames from igniting with the cap in the wrong position while also ensuring that you are using it correctly.
To check if the burner caps are correctly installed, do the following.
- First, be sure that you unplug the cooktop and turn off the gas line.
- Carefully remove the burner cap from the faulty burner.
- Reposition the cap until it fits in the correct slot, preventing any gas blockage.
If this method does not work, be sure to try other methods below.
Make sure that the burner caps are clean.
Another common issue of a gas cooktop is the dirt and food particles that can accumulate around the burners. If you have checked that the burner caps are correctly installed, maybe the problem lies in blockages due to dirt.
For the burner to properly ignite, it needs a clear pathway from the gas line to the igniter. With regular use of the burner, food particles are sure to accumulate and can block this pathway. To prevent this from happening, you need to clean the burner caps at least every month.
To clean the burner and burner caps, follow these steps.
- Turn off the gas line and unplug the cooktop from the electric outlet. Remove the burner caps from the cooktop.
- Using warm water, mild dish soap, and a microfiber cloth, gently soap away from the dirt on the burner caps. Make sure that no particles are blocking the holes on the caps.
- Rinse the burner caps with warm water.
- Dry completely with a kitchen towel.
- Before replacing the burner caps on the cooktop, use a clean kitchen towel to wipe the cooktop to ensure that it is free of any food particles.
Make sure that the igniter is clean.
Just like how food particles can clog the burner caps, they can also do the same to the igniter. A simple way on how to fix Thermador cooktop is to make sure that all the essential parts are clean.
Cleaning the igniter is a bit more tedious than the burner cap. Unless you know how to disassemble all the parts, you will need to clean the igniter while it is attached to the whole cooktop. Follow these steps. Again, make sure that the gas line is turned off, and the cooktop is unplugged before starting the cleaning process.
- Remove the burner caps from the cooktop to get better access to the igniter.
- Using a slightly damp cotton swab (a.k.a. Q-tip), gently wipe the igniter. Be sure to scrape off any debris that may be stuck to it.
- Wipe the igniter completely dry with a clean towel before replacing the burner caps.
If cleaning the igniter doesn’t work, it may need to be replaced, especially if your cooktop is already several years old.
When should you call an authorized service technician?
If all these troubleshooting methods don’t work, it is time to call for professional help. Check the manual of your Thermador cooktop to see its warranty coverage. The manual or warranty card should also have a list of authorized service centers that you can call.
It is best to have a professional check the cooktop to be sure of the problem. Older cooktops may need some parts, like the igniter or the control board, to be replaced. It is not recommended that you disassemble the cooktop yourself unless you have previous work experience in this range of appliances.
Conclusion
These easy troubleshooting methods on how to fix Thermador cooktop are proven to be effective. However, if these methods still do not fix the problem, remember that it is recommended to call a professional technician instead. Thermador’s cooktops are proven to be reliable because of their advanced technology. Thus, more complicated problems will require a professional check. Want to learn more tips on the Thermador appliances? Go here!