Repair of a gas burner with piezo ignition

Quite a lot of types of household appliances that make human life much easier have already been invented, but all devices have one thing in common - the readiness to unexpectedly fail. Moreover, both large household appliances and small but extremely necessary devices suddenly break down. For example, portable gas burners equipped with piezo ignition often present unpleasant surprises. It is difficult to do without them for small household work, and it is absolutely impossible to provide “human” conditions far from home - for example, on a hike or in the country. Of course, portable, relatively simple devices are not as expensive as large units. But it’s still not advisable to throw out a recently purchased device at the first malfunction. For these reasons, owners of almost irreplaceable equipment are trying to find out how to repair a gas burner with their own hands.

Using a gas burner

The most popular design can rightfully be considered a burner with piezo ignition. As a rule, such devices are an indispensable thing on a camping trip, as they become a simple, all-weather alternative to a fire. The mini-device gives you the chance to quickly cook or heat food and boil water almost instantly. Its advantages over open fire are the ability to control fuel and adjust the strength of the flame.

Modern portable equipment is protected from the wind, and some models are equipped with holders for utensils. Maximum ease of use of a simple gas burner is also not the last plus: owners do not have to “mess around” with matches, since the flame is ignited by pressing a button. Burners with piezo ignition are an almost obligatory attribute of dachas, which simply do not require a connection to the gas main.

In housework and workshops, such mini-devices are used for heating metal or other surfaces and for soldering parts. In both cases, simple fuel-powered devices have a great advantage over construction hair dryers and soldering irons. They do not require electricity to function. However, gas burners can also refuse to work, and an emergency occurs for various reasons.

The most common of them are water getting inside the mechanism and failure of the piezo ignition to work. Most often, it is because of the last element that produces a spark that gas equipment breaks down.

Soldering tool

A gas heater with piezo ignition is a compact and mobile alternative to a hair dryer. To operate, it does not require a connection to wires; the fuel source is a gas cylinder; in this case, a burner with piezo ignition significantly bypasses a construction hair dryer, which is less convenient to use due to the need to connect wires, which are not always convenient to pull.

Application of gas burner:

heating and melting metal or plastic elements;
pipe melting;
hardening of small metal parts;
quick lighting of a fire or stove;
soldering of small parts;
other minor work that requires a mobile source of high temperature.

The gas temperature during combustion reaches 1300–1800°C. The tool is easy to use with one hand.

Gas burner diagnostics

Few owners, when such a small and relatively simple device breaks down, will like the idea of calling a repairman. The specialist will have to pay a certain amount for “overwork,” and it may well be comparable to the price of a new gas burner. For this reason, repairing a gas burner with your own hands remains the only logical option.

Troubleshooting

Correction is possible for almost any type of malfunction. However, before starting work, it is necessary to understand what exactly in the gas burner “ordered to live long.” To do this, diagnostics are carried out.

If, even before disassembling the burner, it was discovered that a spark does not ignite when the button is pressed, then we can assume that the culprit has been found. This is the piezoelectric element itself. If there is a spark, but the device does not work, then usually the reason lies in the fact that individual parts of the gas burner are dirty.
When a spark appears but the burner refuses to ignite, the first suspect is usually the atomizer. This is a hole designed to allow gas to enter. Most likely it is clogged with dirt.
Some other malfunctions are also typical for canister burners. For example, they can begin to leak gas due to the fact that one of the rubber gaskets inside the housing suddenly becomes unusable.
Contamination of the mesh, which is located on the other side of the sprayer, is another reason for the gas burner to fail. In this case, the repair is as simple as possible: the filter must be washed with gasoline or alcohol.
If a spark appears, but there is no gas supply, then the problem may be oxidation of the wire through which the spark is supplied. The melted insulation is removed with sandpaper or a file, then replaced with a new one.

There is another problem that owners of gas burners may encounter. This is one of the mysteries when gas is supplied and there is a spark, but the device does not ignite. One possible solution is to adjust the wire relative to the nozzle. Even a slight change in their relative position sometimes becomes a solution to the problem.

After correcting the problems, it is recommended not to reassemble the device immediately, but to carefully check all other elements for contamination, which can be difficult to determine at first glance. Having lost sight of something, the owners run the risk of soon again encountering a gas burner failure.

Why doesn't it light up the first time?

Some equipment owners are faced with the problem of the burner taking a long time to ignite. Does the gas go out immediately after the button is released? the burner itself stop working on a gas stove after a while? The reason is most likely the thermocouple, which is located near each burner.

A thermocouple is an alloy of two metals. When this element heats up, an electric current begins to be generated. It is this that causes the magnetic valve to remain pressed, thus preventing it from closing the passage of gas through the burner. A dirty thermocouple is the most common reason why a gas stove does not ignite the first time.

You can clean the thermocouple using sandpaper, which you can buy at any store that specializes in selling building materials.

After cleaning, the element begins to heat up well, the gas no longer goes out. In some cases, cleaning does not help: the equipment still does not light up the first time. This may be due to the fact that the thermocouple itself has failed - you need to replace or change the piezoelectric element.

How to replace the piezo element?

Do-it-yourself repair of a gas burner is always necessary if there is no spark. This problem in most cases indicates a breakdown of the “device within a device”. Therefore, there is only one way out: replacing the failed element. This operation is not so complicated, and the purchase of a new piece will most likely not be required either.

It must be said right away that external differences in gas burner models do not affect the designs. All devices have the same configuration, the elements are standard, so it’s quite easy to find replacements. As already noted, most often it is the piezoelectric element that fails. Failure provokes the ingress of water or other liquid; breakdown is possible due to a strong impact, the device falling from a great height, etc.

To repair a gas burner with your own hands, the technician will need the following tools and materials:

soldering iron;
screwdriver and bits for it;
heat shrink tubes for wire insulation;
electrical tape if there is no heat shrink on the farm at the moment.

It’s good if you have a new or empty lighter at home, since it’s easiest to get the piezoelectric element from it.

First of all, the device is checked to again make sure that there is no spark. After receiving evidence of a malfunction of the device, its housing is disassembled. During this work, the condition of the remaining parts is carefully examined; such a check largely concerns various contaminants. They should be disposed of immediately.

After they get to the piezoelectric element, cut the wire connecting it to the burner. Then it is removed. In the same way, remove the element from the gas lighter. The supply of wire must be sufficient to connect it to the burner.

When replacing the device, heat-shrinkable tubes are used for conductors, which are heated with a lighter. The repaired gas burner is reassembled in exactly the same sequence as it was disassembled.

After the operation is completed, the device is tested. If no errors were made, then the gas burner should function flawlessly.

Electric ignition does not work on one burner

Why doesn't the gas stove light up? Many models of this equipment are designed in such a way that a person does not come into contact with open fire. Automatic ignition is very practical, because it can be turned on with gas supply or using a specially designed button. But what to do if you suddenly notice that the electric ignition does not work on one burner?

If you press the ignition button and nothing happens, or you hear clicks but no spark appears, it means that the electric ignition has started to work incorrectly. At such moments, when only one burner does not light, and all the others are working properly, it can be judged that the high-voltage wire going to the ignition electrode is functioning intermittently. This may also be the result of a broken ignition device or failure of the ignition unit. Most often, one burner does not work when the nozzle of the burner nozzle is dirty. Food debris prevents gas from flowing through the hole, so the injectors need to be cleaned or replaced.

In addition to this problem, quite often one burner from the entire panel does not work due to a malfunction in the gas control system. In this case, the part may light up, but immediately go out after the button is released. It is necessary to replace the thermocouple, solenoid valve or the entire gas control system. Sometimes the combustion does not work because the gas valve is stuck. The handle does not turn well because small particles of carbon deposits get into the faucet mechanism or the lubricant dries out. You need to disassemble the gas valve, clean it and lubricate it.

Troubleshooting other problems

Problems with the piezoelectric element are the most common “disease” of gas burners, but they are far from the only one, since other parts can also fail. This is especially true for devices that are used for a long time and “mercilessly”. In any case, the structure will have to be completely disassembled and then carefully inspected.

Do-it-yourself gas burner repair may be required if a malfunction is detected in the operation of the nozzle. There are two options here.

Heavy pollution. This trouble occurs if gas was used to refuel the burner, the quality of which is far from ideal. The best option is to use lighter gas. Due to the accumulated dirt, fuel will not be able to enter the burner, which means there will be nothing for the device to work on. Cleaning the nozzle is a method that is quite accessible at home.
The second problem inside the nozzle is the ring falling out. A common reason is the appearance of cracks in it due to strong heating. The consequence is the impossibility of igniting the burner, since the spark will fly in different directions. In this case, repairing a gas burner will consist of making a homemade element. For example, a similar ring can be made from copper wire.

How do you repair a gas burner yourself if the source of the problem is the nozzle? In both cases, the technician has the opportunity to fix the problem himself.

Cleaning the nozzle yourself

Checking the nozzle for blockage is quite simple. You need to remove this element, then look through the hole into the light. If the white “spot” is not visible, then the “diagnosis” can be considered confirmed, so cleaning is necessary. However, there is one big obstacle to this operation. This is a small hole for which it is very difficult, almost impossible, to pick up a needle or thin wire.

Therefore, it is not always possible to mechanically clean the nozzle. Another disadvantage of “violent” actions is the risk of widening the hole. Such a defect will inevitably affect the operation of the burner - the flame will burn incorrectly: its height cannot be predicted. For this reason, experts recommend using two other methods.

Blowing out dirt. This method is suitable if the contamination is not yet too serious. The nozzle is removed, then pressed against the gas cartridge with the side with the hole, and begin to blow through. There is a chance to get rid of the interference in such a simple way. Instead of compressed gas, you can try using a powerful jet of water.
The nozzle gets very hot. It should be noted that this option refers to cardinal, even brutal decisions. Craftsmen use it at their own peril and risk, since a possible outcome is destruction (burning) of the part. A wire is attached to the removed nozzle and then heated red-hot using a second burner. After this, the part is dipped in cold water.

If you choose the best option, then it can be called the first, more gentle one. But it is also not always effective. Therefore, many consider it optimal to search for a thin wire and then sharpen its tip. One of the places where you can “get” a super-thin needle is a tattoo parlor (art tattoo studio). In this case, there is a chance to guarantee both the result and the safety of the part.

However, there are times when even these methods are powerless. Then, instead of cleaning or heating, they use a solvent wash, which is distributed with a soft brush. Some owners, after treating with gasoline, blow out the part using a pump. They say that this “tandem” always helps to get rid of blockages. Another rescue option is a product designed for cleaning carburetors.

Replacing the nozzle ring

When a gas burner is used intensively, the ring operating at high temperatures falls out after a certain period of time and is then completely lost. Due to damage or loss of such a part, it is unlikely that anyone will decide to buy a new gas burner. Finding a suitable replacement is also not the best solution, so the owner is left with the only option. This is making a ring with your own hands.

The material of the original element is brass, but purchasing it is not advisable, since such a ring will be equal in cost to the price of a new gas burner. Copper, or rather ordinary copper wire, can become a full-fledged replacement for this expensive alloy. Its cross section is 2.5 mm. To create a new part, first cut a piece to the required length. Then the wire is bent, focusing on the diameter of this nozzle element.

Repairing a gas burner with your own hands will be a quick process only if the diagnosis is carried out correctly. How to distinguish between a ring falling out and a clogged nozzle? You need to try lighting the burner with matches. If the operation is successful, then you can exclude the “plug” from the dirt and come to the conclusion that the ring is to blame.

How to fix an electric ignition yourself

In order to repair the electric ignition of a gas stove, you first need to find the cause of the problem. If you are unsure of your knowledge, you should not start repairing it yourself; it is better to entrust this matter to a specialist. Well, if you decide to repair a gas stove with your own hands, below are the methods in the form of instructions for this process:

Initially, you need to light the faulty burner manually or using matches. If the gas burns properly, the flame will be blue and uniform. The faulty element burns with a yellow or sluggish flame. If gas combustion occurs only on one side of the burner, it means that the divider is uneven or deformed. The problem occurs due to a malfunction in the fuel mixture ratio, which is why the burner does not ignite from a spark. You can fix the problem with electric ignition yourself by cleaning the injectors and reinstalling the divider.
All electrodes, ignited by a spark, are powered through the ignition unit, and in order to turn on the unit, you need to use different buttons. Try using the following ignition scheme: light one burner by pressing the button while holding down the second one. This method is relevant if the first part did not ignite manually when the gas tap was open, but a spark did not form. If this burner did not give a spark this time (one of the two clamped), we can conclude that the electric ignition switch is broken.
If, when trying to light the hob, the ignition starts to crackle continuously, this may be due to the contacts of one of the switches closing. This can happen due to moisture or grease getting into the middle of the structure, as well as due to oxidation or bending of the contacts. In order to solve this problem with a gas stove, you need to clean and dry all the elements. Carrying out preventive maintenance will affect the return of equipment to serviceable condition.

>When cleaning switches, remember that they operate under a voltage of 220 V - you should follow safety precautions in order to repair the equipment without causing damage to yourself.

How to handle a gas burner?

Even the simplest appliances require careful handling, and this is also true for gas burners. Since the most capricious parts in them are piezoelectric elements, first of all you need to worry about their safety.

The equipment must be used with extreme caution. Do not allow accidental falls, shocks, or exposure to water or other liquids. To protect yourself from unforeseen situations, it is better not to forget to take matches or a lighter when hiking. In this case, it will be possible to ignite the suddenly “on strike” burner.

It is not only important to carefully handle such a nozzle. The operating time of the device should not exceed a quarter of an hour. After this, you need to let the burner cool completely. A thorough inspection of the device when the first malfunctions are detected will make it possible to prevent its serious contamination.

Do-it-yourself gas burner repair is an operation that can be successfully carried out at home. Moreover, the entire process often takes less than half an hour. You can verify this by watching the following educational video:

Manual gas burner with piezo ignition

This model of gas burner is a replacement stove for lovers of outdoor activities. This item is indispensable for camping fans. Of course, you can try to challenge this fact by citing the classic example of making a fire. But in order to prepare soup or porridge, it is necessary not only to collect firewood, but also to wait until it burns out a little. For long-distance hikes, this is a significant waste of time; for resting at a rest stop, you can limit yourself to a short break. Another significant bonus is that in bad weather and in the pouring rain you can’t dream of a fire, but nothing prevents you from hiding under the crown of a tree and warming up with hot tea or porridge cooked on a gas burner. Piezo ignition eliminates the need to look for matches or a lighter, gas is consumed economically and one cylinder lasts for a long time.

Advice! If you take a gas burner on a hike, make sure to store the cylinder; do not expose it to direct sunlight; overheating in the sun will cause the cylinder to explode. When putting it in your backpack, it is better to place the cylinder in the middle so that it is reliably protected from high temperatures. The gas is also sensitive to low temperatures; burners operate properly at temperatures down to -20. For more severe temperatures, it is necessary to purchase a cylinder of a gas mixture that is not sensitive to cold.

For gas burners, odorless liquefied gas is used, this adds a certain specificity to the use of the tool. Firstly, when using a burner, you should not turn it over or tilt it too much; the flame may get lost and lose its static properties and become uneven. Secondly, you need to be careful when using cylinders. If there is a malfunction, a gas leak may occur, which cannot be felt due to the lack of odor. You can check the cylinder for leaks using a soap solution; you can also immerse the cylinder in water for testing.