We know how important a gas cooktop is in a home. And we also know how that its importance multiplies ten-fold during festive seasons. Such as Christmas, when the whole family meets, and we often want to cook something special for the occasion. However, just like any other home appliance, we know that stoves and cooktops can sometimes develop faults at critical times like these.This is why we have put together the following guide, which will help you in fixing your Thermador gas cooktop just in time to save Christmas. But first, let’s talk about a bit of regular appliance maintenance, which helps to prevent appliance breakdowns in the first place.

Thermador Cooktop Maintenance Tips

One of the most effective ways of maintaining any kitchen appliance is by cleaning it regularly. Grease and food residue can buildup on our cooktops, and although this may seem an obvious tip, its importance cannot be overemphasized.In other words, keeping your gas cooktop clean should always be a top priority. Apart from a grimy cooktop being unsightly and unhygienic, it can negatively impact the appliance’s performance, and also represents a fire hazard. Not to mention a lack of cleaning can also drastically shorten the lifespan of the appliance.

Now, let’s go over a few more tips for maintaining your gas cooktop.

Don’t leave messes too long

After all the hard work you put into cooking, there’s always going to be the temptation to leave your gas cooktop to be cleaned at a later time. However, it’s important to take those extra few minutes to wipe it down, which not only keeps cleaning it easier but also prevents your mess from impacting your cooktop’s performance.

Clean with Vinegar

When dealing with stubborn stains, one trick is to spray your burners with vinegar and let soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Then wipe down with a clean cloth. Keep in mind vinegar works best if the grease has not yet had the chance to really stick. So, once again, cleaning is best done as soon as possible after cooking.

Clean with Baking Soda

Another method to use when cleaning your Thermador gas cooktop is to use baking soda. Scrub the burners with dishwashing detergent and water first to remove the initial film of grease. Next, make a thick paste of baking soda by adding spoonfuls of water to a cup of it. Spread this paste on the grease on the burners and leave for about 20 minutes. Then scrub the burners with a sponge to remove the grease. Now, if your Thermador gas cooktop is past the maintenance stage and firmly in the problem stage, here are a few common problems and their solutions for you to review.

For more maintenance or repair help, don’t hesitate to contact us today! 

Ignitor Not Sparking

If your burner does not ignite when you turn it on, it’s important to take a minute to examine the issue.

Do all the burners have this problem, or is it isolated to one burner in particular? If it is isolated to just the one burner, you likely have a defective spark module, spark ignition switch, or spark electrode. In which case, you will have to replace the defective part. If none of your burners are igniting, check the connection, and make sure the unit is properly connected to the power supply. Your ignitor will not work without a source of power!

Also, make sure your circuit breakers are intact, or that you don’t have a blown a fuse.

How To Replace A Thermador Igniter

If you have determined that your cooktop’s ignitor needs to be replaced, it can be done by following these simple steps. With a few basic household tools at your disposal, replacing the ignitor should not take you more than an hour.

• Before attempting to replace your spark module, make sure to turn off your unit’s gas supply, either at the unit itself or your home’s main shut-off valve.
• Unplug the cooktop’s electrical cord or cut the power at the breaker.
• Remove any screws under the front edge of the cooktop to release the cooktop from the countertop.
• You should now be able to see the ignitor underneath your cooktop; it is wired with two plugs that connect it to your power source. It would be best if you have somebody help you out at this point since you’ll need to raise the cooktop at an angle to access these components.
• Disconnect the two wires.
• Remove the screws that hold the ignitor in place and pull out the faulty ignitor.
• Replace the old ignitor by fixing the new one into the same mounting bracket, then secure it by fastening the two screws back in place.
• Connect the two wired plugs to the sockets.
• Lower the Thermador cooktop onto the countertop and reattach it with the appropriate screws
• Plug the power cord, turn your gas back on, and then check to see if your new ignitor is functioning properly.

Replacing Thermador Knobs

Your knobs may also be faulty or they may simply be old and you’d prefer to replace them. For this, simply pull out on the knob, and should come off with little resistance. Note: Make sure the knob is in an “off” position before doing this. And that your gas cooktop is not operational at the moment.You can then replace your old knobs with new ones.