What is electric ignition
This is a convenient additional function when the gas is ignited by the operation of a piezoelectric element or an electric candle. Electric ignition allows you to ignite gas safely and protects users from the possibility of getting burned, as there is no need for lighters or matches.
In some publications the name piezoignition or piezoignition appears; there is no difference in design, they are simply called as convenient, and the basis is that the spark is provided by a piezoelectric element. This scheme is used on budget models; the user has to use both hands to ignite the burner.
Why was electric ignition invented?
Electric ignition was invented for those who like to cook on a gas stove, but do not want to use matches and a lighter. Electric ignition allows you to easily turn on the gas supply in the stove or hob without any additional effort. Almost all modern models of gas stoves and hobs are equipped with the electric ignition function, because it has made the process of cooking with gas more comfortable and safe. If your immediate plans include purchasing a modern gas stove, then it will be useful for you to learn more about the electric ignition mechanism and its advantages.
View Hotpoint-Ariston 7OFH G IX RU oven with electric ignition
Types of electric ignition
The mechanical or semi-automatic option is that when you turn the regulator that turns on the gas supply, you must simultaneously press the start button so that the device installed inside ignites the gas-air mixture. This function is not entirely convenient, since you need to work with both hands.
Automatic ignition works differently: when you turn the handle of the gas regulator, it is ignited automatically, a spark is given by a special candle located next to the burner. There is a small nuance: before turning, you need to lightly press the switch, this closes the electrical circuit, and a spark jumps between the candle and the burner body, igniting the gas.
How to turn on a gas stove
Before turning on your new gas stove, carefully read the instructions that came with it. If for some reason you do not have instructions, or you want to turn on a stove of an unfamiliar design, for example, when cooking at a party or in a rented apartment, inspect the front panel of the gas stove - there should be a symbol on it near each handle indicating which She controls the burner.
Find the gas pipe suitable for the stove and open the valve embedded in it. Usually the gas in the pipes is shut off with a ball valve; if you have the same valve installed, turn its handle so that it is parallel to the gas pipe.
Manual ignition of the burner
In the simplest stoves, the gas is ignited manually, using matches or a special lighter. Decide which burner you will turn on and find out which knob on the stove corresponds to it. Light a match, bring it to the edge of the burner, push down the burner handle (i.e., lightly press on it), and at the same time turn it counterclockwise. When the gas that begins to flow into the burner ignites, quickly remove your hand from the burner and extinguish the match. Set the gas knob to the maximum position, make sure that the gas burns with an even blue flame along the entire perimeter of the burner, then turn the knob to adjust its supply to the amount you need.
In a similar way, you can turn on a gas stove using a lighter, but there is one small nuance in this matter - there are two types of lighters for gas stoves - piezo or electric lighters. If the piezo lighter, before pressing its button, you just need to remove it from the fuse and bring it to the burner, then the electric lighter must first be plugged in.
Built-in burner ignition
If on the left side of this panel you find a button near which a spark is schematically drawn, then your stove is equipped with a semi-automatic electric ignition function.
A gas stove equipped with a semi-automatic or fully automatic electric ignition function is much easier to light. In the first option, you just need to press the handle away from the burner you need, turn it a quarter turn counterclockwise and at the same time press the ignition button. Once the gas ignites, you can adjust the flame. In the second option, the gas in the burner will light up immediately after turning the knob without any additional actions. Note: most modern gas stoves are equipped with a gas supply control system. In such stoves, the handle cannot be released immediately after lighting the gas, otherwise the burner may go out. To prevent this from happening, the handle should be held depressed for about 10 seconds.
How to turn on the oven in gas stoves is described in detail in the article How to turn on the oven in a gas stove.
The main advantages and features of stoves with electric ignition
Many consumers are accustomed to using matches or lighters to light their old, but still quite reliable products from the last century. Today, almost all models of modern gas stoves are equipped with a mechanical or automatic ignition device, so the outdated method is considered a rudiment. Buyers should be aware that this function does not affect the final cost of the product.
Among the advantages of stoves with electric ignition, experts note the following nuances:
- Now the user does not need to buy extra matches or look for a reliable lighter that can function for a long time - using such a stove is much more convenient.
- Automatic ignition protects you from possible burns when gas flares up.
- If the user has been using a similar electric product for a long time, then getting used to the control of a gas stove with automatic ignition will be quick.
There is only one negative quality: in the event of a sudden power outage, which happens quite often in some regions of Russia, you will not be able to light the gas; this function does not work without voltage in the network, so a box of matches should be kept in stock.
What to choose: mechanical or automatic electric ignition?
Like a car transmission, electric ignition is divided into two types: automatic and mechanical.
- A stove with a mechanical electric ignition function has a button that must be pressed after the switch has been turned. Thus, the high voltage circuit is closed, a spark appears, and as a result the burner ignites.
- If the stove has automatic electric ignition, then you don’t need to press anything. Simply turn the switch and lightly press it.
What conditions are necessary for such equipment to operate?
Of course, the main condition for the operation of a stove with electric ignition is the presence of electricity.
First you will need to connect the equipment to the electrical network.
For these purposes, you will need a grounded outlet and surge-resistant voltage.
If power surges occur in your home from time to time, before purchasing a stove with electric ignition, find out which models are most resistant to power surges.
In most cases, such slabs are produced by Russian manufacturers. These models best tolerate voltage fluctuations.
Will a stove with electric ignition work in the absence of electricity?
This question probably worries any person who decides to buy a stove with electric ignition. In fact, even if the lights are turned off, the stove will work. There is only one point: you will have to turn on the gas using the old, proven method, i.e. using matches or a lighter.
So you don't have to worry. If the power in your apartment or house suddenly goes out, you will not be left without a hot dinner.
Requirements for a stove with electric ignition
Each model of a modern gas stove must have an electrical connection for automatic ignition and oven lighting to work. The connection cord is included. If there is no socket nearby, then it is necessary to draw a separate line with a wire with three cores and a cross-section of at least 1.5 mm, and install a 16 A circuit breaker, such as an RCD or a regular circuit breaker, on the common panel.
To carry out the work, it is better to invite a professional electrician from the housing office, so that later there will be no problems due to overload of the electrical network in the apartment.
Ways to light a fire in the oven
Ignition of the flame can be carried out in two ways, which directly depend on the functional features of the equipment model itself. It depends on them how correctly the housewife can light the gas oven in her kitchen.
The methods for lighting a fire in the oven are as follows:
- Electric ignition of the oven is common to many modifications and is more convenient and safer, since it does not involve direct human contact with the burner.
- Manually igniting a flame requires some skill. But models of stoves or ovens with a similar principle of igniting fire usually cost slightly less.
The algorithm for operating different ovens will be slightly different. Let's consider the features of use in more detail.
Method #1 - electric ignition of the oven
Turning on the oven using automatic ignition is quite easy and quick.
To do this you just need to take a few simple steps:
- turn the gas supply tap, setting it to maximum;
- press and do not release the electric ignition button;
- after the flame appears, release the ignition button after 5-10 seconds.
If after these manipulations the fire does not light or the burner does not work correctly, you need to stop the fuel supply and open the oven door for ventilation. After a couple of minutes, you need to try to ignite again.
The need to hold down the auto-ignition button lies in the oven's safety system. The gas control sensor needs a certain temperature and time to properly monitor the operation of the equipment.
Additionally, holding is intended to protect the device from producing unwanted sparks if the button is pressed accidentally. After briefly pressing this button, you can set the temperature level required for cooking a specific dish.
Method #2 - manually starting the flame
You can also light the gas in the oven manually. Even if the cabinet is equipped with electric ignition, situations may arise when this option will not work. Therefore, even owners of modern technological models should understand how to light an oven in a gas stove with matches.
The process looks like this step by step:
- ventilate the oven for a few minutes and locate the pilot hole;
- bring a burning match or lighter to the igniter;
- turn the gas supply relay and hold it until the flame flares up;
- after ignition, do not release the feed handle for 15 seconds so that the security system responds correctly to turning on the oven;
- If the flame in the burner is produced stably, without separation or sparks, you can close the door and warm up the cabinet for subsequent cooking.
To find the igniter window, carefully inspect the bottom and sides of the oven when it is turned off. Most often, the required hole is located at the bottom of the cabinet or on its walls. If the oven is equipped with a gas grill, you should look for its burner on top.
For ignition, it is better to use long fireplace matches or a special lighter with an extended nozzle. This will protect your hands from burns and maximize the distance between the burner pilot and your hand.
Impact piezo ignition circuit
Universal shock ignition of gas using piezoelectric elements was used on domestic gas products back in Soviet times, but today it is practically not used. Its operating principle is based on a shock pulse when the user presses a button. The main components of the design: body, rod with striker, piezoelectric element, powerful spring and electrical wiring.
Similar mechanisms were installed on gas products in the last century. The device was rigidly fixed to the body of the product, because when the button was pressed, users made significant efforts, at which point the firing pin was cocked and then hit the head of the piezoelectric element strongly, resulting in the generation of a spark with a voltage of 10-15 thousand V.
Its power was enough to ignite the gas, but this is not dangerous for the user, since the current strength is very low, it will only pinch the fingers. This scheme was subsequently abandoned.
Scheme of modern electric ignition
It is electric ignition with the participation of candles that is used in all luxury models; the circuits used are different, but the basis is identical. Power is always supplied from a standard electrical network with a voltage of 220 V. The operating principle of the circuit will be clear only to specialists - there are so many specific names such as resistors, primary and secondary windings of a transformer or induction coils.
It is enough for users to know that when the switch is turned, the electrical circuit is closed at the same time; the starting spark plug creates only on the burner where access to gas is open. Home craftsmen can get acquainted with a detailed diagram of the installed ignition in the operating instructions.
