5 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Stove
Cooking fail? Make sure you check your stove regularly to see if it's working as it should.
Sure, it may be expensive to buy a new stove, but it may be more expensive to have it repaired. Here are a few signs to take note of which may or may not require you to dole out cash for a replacement unit.
1. Burners or hot plates don't heat up properly.
Whether it’s a gas or electric stove, the burner is the most important element on your cooktop. For those using gas, if the flame it produces is no longer blue or flickers or sparks from blue to red to yellow, clean the grates and the burner caps. It may be that some particles are causing the flame to flare. If, however, your stovetop is clean and the flame is still not burning blue, it may be time for repairs or at worst, a replacement.
For electric stoves, including the ceramic stoves, the coils, when turned on High, should turn a bright red. If not, check for rust or other signs of corrosion that could be inhibiting it. For induction stoves, place your induction-ready cookware with a little water in it on top of the hot plate. If the water doesn’t come to a boil in a few minutes, it may be malfunctioning. Consult your manual to troubleshoot just in case it’s a problem that’s easily solved. Otherwise, a replacement may be your next step.
2. You smell gas.
Do not turn on your stove. Gas has fragrant additives in it, which is your first indication that there is a leak somewhere between the gas tank and the stove. But immediately, if you smell gas before or after you turn on your gas tank, do not turn on your stove. Instead, immediately turn off the gas tank. Then, open the kitchen windows or turn on the exhaust, check the tubing connecting the gas tank and your stove, and attach and reattach the regulator and tubes properly.
If you still smell gas when you turn on the gas tank, it might either be time to replace the tubes and its attachments, or the stove if the leak is coming from there.
3. The control panel doesn't work.
The control panel of electric stoves is probably the most expensive part of the stove to have replaced. When buttons no longer work or malfunctions when pressed that prevent you from cooking properly on the stove, opt for a replacement. It may definitely be less expensive than replacing the part.
4. There's a crack on the surface.
If your electric stove has a tempered glass top and there’s a crack, there’s no way around that. Get a replacement. It won’t be safe to cook on anymore.
5. It doesn't turn on.
Gas stoves that don’t turn on may have faulty spark igniters. Easily remedy this with a gas lighter. On electric stoves, check the wiring. Any loose wiring may be a fire hazard and should be fixed immediately prior to use. Broken wiring, where the wires have been severed, however should be replaced and may require either a replacement or a new unit. Consult your manufacturer for their recommendations.
RL Tip:Â These are just the more common problems you may encounter when using a stove but should you have other problems, always consult your manual and contact your manufacturer for further information about troubleshooting your cooktop.
