When it comes to managing commercial kitchens, your cooktop range is probably one of the most important elements. Unfortunately, even the best commercial stove isn't infallible. It's important to know some of the most common burner issues that these gas ranges can encounter so that you can troubleshoot them more effectively. Here's a look at several issues you might encounter with your commercial stove burners and tips to deal with them.                                                           

No Gas Reaching the Burner

If there isn't any gas getting to the burner of your stove, you'll want to start troubleshooting the various burner and fuel supply components.

• Regulator: Start by checking the regulator located near the gas supply line. The arrow on the regulator should be clearly visible. If the regulator is in the right position, the next thing to check is the safety valve.
• Safety Valve: Tap the valve a couple of times to see if it restores the gas flow. Sometimes, the plunger inside the valve can stick, and tapping the valve breaks it loose. If this fixes the problem, though, you'll want to think about replacing the valve soon because that's an indication that it's failing.
• Thermostat: Most gas stoves have one of two types of thermostats. The older range styles are fitted with thermostats that have small holes beside where the knob secures. Newer styles don't have these holes. Try to adjust the thermostat and see if the burner engages at any temperature setting. If not, you might need to have the thermostat replaced.

Faulty Gas Valve

If the gas valve on the burner is faulty, you're going to need to replace the whole valve. Turn the gas off before you start working. Remove the burner plate to access the valve, then disconnect the gas tube from the valve. Use a wrench to unscrew the other side of the valve so that you can remove it from the stove.

Apply some thread sealer to the exposed threads of the new valve. Screw the new valve into position, tightening the connector just until it is hand-tight. Don't over-tighten it, or you'll strip the threads. Secure the gas tube to the other end of the valve and restore the gas supply. Light the pilot and test the new valve before you replace the burner.

Once you've lit the burner, use the adjustment dial to adjust the flame. The goal is to create a steady blue flame. You shouldn't have any yellow in the flame at all. If the flame is too yellow, adjust the air shutter a bit to reduce the air flow. Then, once the flame is consistently blue, you can turn the burner off and reassemble the rest of the range top.

Clogged Burner Head

The burner head is the piece at the base of the burner where the flame comes out. Over time, the small openings of the burner head can become clogged with debris. If you're noticing that the flame isn't coming out of each of the openings on the burner head, it's time to replace it. Sometimes you can clean them, but it isn't recommended because it can alter the flame pattern and affect the stove's operation.

Instead, it's best to install a new one. Most burner heads secure to the stove with two small screws. Remove the screws and pull the burner head out. You'll also want to remove the gasket where the burner head attaches. Replace the gasket with a new one and then connect the new burner head. Replace the screws and tighten them so that they are hand-tight.

Even the best maintenance and cleaning can't prevent some problems with commercial stoves. With the tips presented here, you'll have the information you need to troubleshoot your burner's flame and fuel problems. If these steps don't fix the problem, talk with a commercial stove repair technician from a company like K & D Factory Service Inc for more detailed troubleshooting.