Our gas stove has trouble lighting and sometimes goes out by its self. It also works better on low, on high it sputters and goes out. This occurs on all burners. We had a repair guy come out and look at it but he told us there is nothing wrong with it. Our gas furnace and water seem to working fine so I do not think its the gas line. We then went to buy a new one to find that they do not make any small enough so we can open our dishwasher anymore. Do you have any suggestions? We are going crazy!

-- Lorin (netorcs@pacbell.net), May 11, 2000

Answers

Lorin--My hubby & I buy out house holds/ & sell everything you can think of & at reasonable prices! Is there someone like us in your area? We lots of times have used stoves, appliances, ect.--everyone always is so pleased that they can find such a bargin! We aren't open to the public anymore as this area didn't want strangers comming to town--so very few know we exist---I bet there is some one like us in your area---just ask around! You can probably find a good oldier stove to fit in that space & save a lot of money! My hubby also works on stoves, etc.--sometimes it doesn't take much to fix the problem-- but it is hard to say without looking at the stove--! Best wishes to you! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), May 11, 2000.

You might try getting to the gas outlets with an air compressor or maybe one ot those cans of compressed air for computers would work. I once had the same problem and it was dust bunnies messing it up. Good luck!

-- Doreen Davenport (livinginskin@yahoo.com), May 11, 2000.

Doreen is probably right -- but you need someone who knows what they are doing to check it out -- which obviously your gas serviceman didn't! You may have to ask around a bit for a good handyman.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), May 11, 2000.

sounds like the thermocouple has gone wacky to me

good luck, and be careful

gene

-- gene ward (gward34847@aol.com), May 12, 2000.

It might be a pressure regulator proplem but if other appliances work ok than that is wrong. The problem with regulators is that there are usually 3 of them and without the proper test gauges there is no way to find which one. There is a high one one on the tank or street a low one on the side of the house and one on the appliance itself. Dirty orifices can cause the popping noise you mentioned and can be cleaned with a wire brush and a paper clip. Hope this helps.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), May 12, 2000.

I agree with Joel. I have a two burner table top propane stove and it had same problem. I took regulator apart. Very simple mechanism actually, and the inlet valve was gummed up with a tar-like substance. Cleaned it out with carb cleaner and it worked fine. If you take regulator apart, be careful not to damage the diaphram. Since your water heater and furnace work fine, this will only be true if your stove has a separate regulator. I dont think it is a thermocouple since all stoves that I have seen (older) only use a thermocouple for the oven. This would not affect the burners.

-- Hermit John (ozarkhermit@pleasedontspamme.com), May 12, 2000.

Don't give up. Ask around..there is somebody that can fix your stove. I looked for two years and found the perfect person. I just wasn't asking the right people. I love our stove. It is from 1936. It's here to stay too. When we had to put a new floor in our kitchen we found out that it won't go through any door in our house! I'm not sure what happened after they put it in here or if they put it in before they put the doors in...but I love it so it works out just fine. Everytime I cook on electric I burn whatever I'm making. Good luck.

-- Jennifer (KY) (acornfork@hotmail.com), May 13, 2000.

My first thought is that you have a stove set for bottled gas and are using natural gas. Another possibility is vice versa. Which type of gas are you using? I would go to your supplier, no matter which one it is. They will normally set it for you without charge. GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), May 13, 2000.

Lorin! It could be one of several things. The first thing to check is the pressure at the burner orfices. If it's L.P. the reading should be 6 1/4 ounces---city gas/natural will be 3 1/2 oz. It's burning too lean causing it to pop and go out. Check each burner for spider webs etc inside the ventura. Try turning the air shutter adjustment down at the end of the burner tube that fits over the orfice. It's possible it may be set for L.P. while using city gas. With more information I might be able to direct you more efficently. I worked on the raskels for over 30 years and have seen things that even I didn't believe at times. Please don't disasemble the regulator as it could really cause big problems if the internal mechanism is altered. Email me if you want. I'll help however I can.

-- hoot gibson (hoot@otbnet.com), May 13, 2000.