According to cooktops repair professionals, cooktops develop problems like any other kitchen appliance. The most common problems being:
You can’t cook on a cooktop that doesn’t turn on, can you? So when you switch the unit on and it doesn’t work, you should move with haste and restore it.
In most cases, the cooktop will fail to turn on when you haven’t properly plugged it in. Before you think of any other reasons why the unit isn’t working, first confirm it’s properly plugged in.
If it’s plugged in but still not working, check the outlet and confirm it’s not defective. You can use a multimeter to test or use any other small appliance such as blow dryer or iron. If all of these fail, hire an electrician to help you out.
It’s common to find an appliance providing power but still the cooktop isn’t working. This might be a problem with the internal components. If you don’t have the skills, let an expert take a look at them.
Damaged electric coils
It’s normal for the electric coil burners to wear out especially if you frequently use your cooktop. Signs of damage include: bubbles, cracks, and blisters on the coils. Coils are irreparable so when they develop problems, you should replace them.
When buying new coils, buy those of the right size as loose coils often result to plenty of cooking issues and put your property at the risk of fire.
Cooktops create sparks when you turn them on
A properly functioning electric cooktop shouldn’t spark the same way as a gas cooktop so if your electric cooktop is producing sparks before its lit, you have a problem you need to address as soon as possible.
Electric cooktops produce sparks when the heating element is damaged. The element can be damaged by plenty of things including excessive weight and temperatures.
Your cooktop will also produce sparks when you have loose wire connections around the electric coil burners. These sparks are extremely dangerous and a potential source of fatal electric shock so when you notice them, fix your appliance as soon as possible.
Failure of electric coils to heat
Traditional electric cooktops have electric coil burners that heat when you turn the appliance on. If your cooktop is receiving power but the coils aren’t heating, you have a problem in your hands you need to address fast.
This problem often comes about due to a loose connection between the coils and cooktop and this happens when you clean the coils and fail to return them the way they are meant to. As a result, they don’t receive power.
You need to inspect them and ensure they are in their right place. Also confirm there is nothing stuck between the coil elements and stove.
Your coils will also fail to heat if you have an issue with the cooktop’s ignition switch that provides the action necessary to heat the burners. Unless you have the necessary skills, this can be a complex problem to fix on your own.
Problem adjusting the temperature of the burners
One of the main reasons homeowners invest in cooktops is because they provide precise temperature settings. Unfortunately, the appliance develops problems and you can’t adjust the temperature of the burners hence you can’t take advantage of the features the appliance comes with.
You might have a problem adjusting the temperature of the burners when you have a problem with the unit’s infinite switch. The switch is connected to the dial that regulates the power levels and a faulty switch that can force the burners to heat to only a specific level regardless of the settings.
This problem will also come about when you have a faulty internal ignition switch.
Regardless of the reason you can’t adjust the temperature of the burners, contact an experienced professional to help you with the diagnosis and fixation of the problem.
Parting shot
These are some of the problems your cooktop can have. If you have the skills you can attempt to fix some of the problems, but if you have tried everything within your knowledge level and still the problem doesn’t go away, let an expert appliance repair Northern VA professional handle it.
