Dacor Cooktop Problems
For homeowners with smaller kitchens, owning a Dacor-brand cooktop can be an ideal way to organize your space. Because it is not part of an oven, a cooktop may be installed anywhere in the kitchen so you can maximize what space you do have. Dacor cooktops come in electric and gas models, allowing you to choose the cooking option you prefer. As with any appliance, your Dacor cooktop may experience problems that impact its ability to operate properly. Such issues might affect your cooking results, so it is important to resolve them as quickly as possible.
Cook Top Does Not Work
A Dacor cooktop may occasionally fail to operate. In most cases, the cooktop is likely not connected to the proper power supply. Check to see if its power cord is plugged into a functional electrical outlet. If the outlet does not seem to be working, examine the household fuses and circuit breaker. Replace any blown fuses or reset the circuit breaker so power is restored to the cooktop's outlet. When there is no issue with the fuses or circuit breaker, contact your power company to see if there is an outage in your area.
Burner Has No Flame
On some occasions, a Dacor cook top's gas burners may fail to produce a flame. First, check to see if the igniters are sparking. You can usually determine if they are functioning properly by listening for a clicking sound. If the igniters do not spark, they likely need to be cleaned and dried. Clean the burner assembly as well. When the igniters are in good working order but the burner still has no flame, make sure that the gas supply is turned on to the cooktop. Check the gas supply valve to see if it is in the on position and adjust it if necessary. If the valve is open but the cooktop is not receiving gas, consult your gas company to determine what the problem might be.
Burner Produces Large, Yellow or Erratic Flame
In some instances, a Dacor cooktop's gas burners may produce flames that are extremely large, yellow or distorted. Usually, these types of flames are the result of dirty or clogged burner parts. Clean the burner components by taking the burners apart and using a stiff toothbrush to clean away any dirt or debris. You must be gentle, however, because the burners' parts can be very fragile. For particularly stubborn dirt, use rubbing alcohol to help dissolve it. If you observe clogs in the burner heads or other components, use a straight pin, a small length of wire or a straightened paper clip to gently pry the obstruction loose. When you are done cleaning, be sure to rinse all parts with water and dry thoroughly. If your cooktop's burners are clean but their flames are still erratic, make sure that all of the burner parts are securely in place according to the owner's manual. Finally, the burners' flames may be large and distorted if the cooktop was converted for the wrong type of gas or for a different altitude. Consult an authorized service technician to verify that the cooktop was set up properly. A service technician can inspect the gas regulator to see if it is damaged or installed improperly as well.
Igniters Spark After Flame Has Ignited
A Dacor cooktop's gas igniters may sometimes continue to spark or making clicking sounds after a flame has ignited. If a burner is cold, it is not unusual for the igniters to continue to spark for up to a minute, particularly if the burner is set to low. Air drafts in your kitchen may also distort the flame, which may cause the igniters to continue to spark. Closing nearby windows to minimize the draft usually solves the problem. In addition, if the burner and igniters are wet or dirty, the flame may be affected, causing the igniters to continue to spark. Make sure all of the burner's parts are clean and dried thoroughly before turning the cooktop on.
References
Writer Bio
Based in New York City, Jennifer Blair has been covering all things home and garden since 2001. Her writing has appeared on BobVila.com, World Lifestyle, and House Logic. Blair holds a Bachelor of Arts in Writing Seminars from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Photo Credits
- stove top image by Carolyn Agardy from Fotolia.com
More Articles