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Gas Cooktops & Rangetops - Troubleshooting

Welcome to the official troubleshooting guide for Thermador gas cooktops and rangetops. If you encounter any issues with your appliances, worry not, as we have curated a list of solutions to address common problems. From burners that won't start to burners making clicking sounds or experiencing intermittent sparking, we've got you covered. Additionally, if you experience unexpected flame outs, excessively high flames, or uneven flame distribution, our guide will help you find the right fix. With our step-by-step instructions, you can help maintain peak performance for an enjoyable cooking experience.

Click on the tabs below to view helpful tips for your appliance. If you need further assistance, please contact Thermador Customer Support: 1-800-735-4328.
Hand on burners

The Burners Do Not Start

We understand how frustrating it can be when your burners refuse to ignite. Many factors can contribute to this issue. Follow the instructions below to identify the cause and fix the issue:

  • The main gas supply may not be turned on. Make sure it is turned on.
  • Check the power supply and make sure the unit is plugged in and the circuit breaker has not tripped.
  • Make sure the burners are properly positioned.
  • The igniters may be dirty. Carefully wipe the igniters with a cotton swab dampened with water after they have cooled down. Gently scrape the soil off with a toothpick. Avoid exposing the igniters to excessive water as a damp igniter may not light up. Remove any lint that may remain after cleaning.
  • The ignition will be quicker if a cooking pan is on the grate. Ignite the gas at full and once alight, turn it down to around 50%. It should lock on within 6 seconds.
  • Does the burner click when the burner knob is in the ON position? If yes, you may have a wiring issue at the outlet that the appliance is connected to. Turn off the main gas supply and contact a qualified electrician to fix this.
  • Does the burner click when the burner knob is in the OFF position? If yes, check for the following:
    • 1. Check to see if the burner cap is properly placed and the igniter is not wet or dirty.
    • 2. Check to see if the regulator supplied with the unit is installed properly. The arrow on the regulator should be pointing to the appliance. Please call a professional installer or schedule a service visit if the regulator has not been installed properly.
Star Burner

The Burner Keeps Making a Clicking Sound or There is Intermittent Sparking

If your burner keeps making a clicking sound or experiences intermittent sparking, it's time to take action. We have various solutions to resolve this issue:

  • The burner caps have been moved. If so, make sure the burner caps are properly positioned.
  • The burner ports may be wet or clogged with food particles. Make sure the burner ports are dry and clear clogged ports with a wire or straightened paper clip.
  • The igniters may be damp. If so, dry the igniters with a dry cotton swab and remove any lint that remains after drying.
  • The gas shut-off valve may be off. Check to make sure it is on and that the gas supply to the building is not turned off.
  • The burner is using the ExtraLow® feature. This clicking is normal and there is nothing wrong with your cooktop. When this feature is in use, the flame automatically cycles on and off. Whenever the flame is reignited, a clicking sound will occur (approximately every 60 seconds).
  • This can also be caused by air movements or gusts in the room. Make sure there is no draft in the room.

For cooktops purchased after September 2018, the ignition spark operates continuously if a knob is held down past the child lock position.

Hand on burners

The Flames Go Out Unexpectedly, Are Too High, or Are Uneven

Are the flames on your cooktop going out unexpectedly, appearing too high, or displaying uneven patterns? Learn how address these cooktop issues:

The flames go out unexpectedly. - Make sure there is no draft in the room.

The flames are too high or uneven. - There are several solutions for this problem:

  • The burner caps may not be installed properly or may have been moved. Make sure they are properly positioned.
  • The regulator supplied with the unit may not be installed. Please ask your professional installer to install it or schedule a service visit.
Hand on burners

There is a Gas Odor

A gas odor around your cooktop is not to be ignored. Safety should always be your top priority. There are several potential solutions for this problem, which we'll cover below:

  • The burner knobs may not be completely turned off. Turn the knobs to the OFF position. If the smell does not disappear, turn the main gas supply off and schedule a service visit.
  • It is normal to smell gas for up to 4 seconds after igniting the burner. If the smell does not go away after ignition, turn the main gas supply off and schedule a service visit.
  • The burner caps may be out of alignment. After the cooktop has cooled, adjust the caps so that the tabs fit into the notches on the burner bases.
Hand on burners

The Food is Cooked Unevenly

If your food is coming out unevenly cooked, no need to worry. These solutions will help you achieve consistent cooking results:

  • The base of the pan may be warped. Use a different pan.
  • Make sure to place the pan over the center of the burner so the heat is evenly distributed.

Don't forget to explore our gas cooktop cleaning guide.

More Troubleshooting Topics

My gas burners have the automatic re-ignition feature. Occasionally, one burner will not light while all the others do light.

The burner cap is out of alignment. Adjust the cap so that the tabs fit into the notches on the burner base.

The ignition spark operates continuously.

There are several solutions for this problem:

  • The knobs may be in the LIGHTING / SPARK position. Turn the knobs to the OFF position.
  • Make sure there is no draft in the room. Select models have a re-ignition function, which is part of the flame recognition feature. The re-ignition function will attempt to reignite a flame that has been blown out or disturbed.
  • This may be caused by the presence of water due to cleaning the cooking surface with excess water or water boiling over and entering the appliance. This problem will resolve itself once the cooking surface dries.
  • If you have tried all of the above and the problem continues, you will need an authorized servicer to dismantle the appliance and repair it. You should never attempt to dismantle a gas appliance unless you are officially qualified to do so. You will need to schedule a service visit.

For cooktops purchased after September 2018, the ignition spark operates continuously if a knob is held down past the child lock position.

The igniters spark even though the cooktop is turned off.

When the electrical power connection has been activated at the first power-up or reconnected after an outage, the igniters may spark once or twice even though the cooktop is off. Make sure all burner knobs are not stuck or pushed down. This will cause sparking in the OFF position.

Service & Repairs

For further troubleshooting assistance, contact Thermador Customer Support at 1-800-735-4328 or locate an authorized Thermador servicer.

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