0TLDR- grumpy ol sod having a whinge!!

So the ignition system on the 30 yr old gas cooker packed up lighting the ovens, neither a gas engineer or electrician were keen to 'have a go', so its time for a new cooker !! (replacement ignition systems cost over £100 and its not like its 1999 when service manuals etc were available to download easily)

Buying a replacement has been a nightmare #1 i screwed up assuming the original was 60cm in width.. its 55cm.. and its corner slot is circa 62cm, supplier engineers wont fit due to 'the regs' a window edge (wooden frame) has never had a lick of flame or heat near it but...... (real/private engineers have more discretion was the only reply my 'come on - you cant be serious..' initial reaction got me which on reflection is fair enough.. ) The chap who services my now ancient boiler gave me the thumbs up So attempt #2 buy a 50-55cm wide cooker was launched..

Yeah every site listed some, but none or few are actually in stock or available for collection..

After a few false starts and upping the budget by £150 I finally found one..

OH boy do i miss the days when i could have dropped into one of upto 10 local retail outlets which would have had a number of options to look see touch and walk out with!!

I did get on my bike and visit all the retail parks and shopping centres at this end of town that did have such locations in the past - ZERO- None, not a single one, there is a solitary currys at the west end of the city, but a quick in stock check tells me there would be no point visiting anyway, although they did provide me with the replacement it was not available for collection with delivery the only option available..

A sad tale. Sorry you are having this trouble.

Are you sure you can't get the faulty part and fit it yourself?

NOTE - I do not advocate any meddling by the unqualified, with gas pipes, connections, or anything of that sort, but the ignition device will be a pretty simple electrical part that ought to be easily replaceable if you can get down and crawl into the oven with a torch. OBVIOUSLY if you do this switch off all power to the cooker at the mains. while you are working.

Surprisingly, ebay is full of parts of the sort for old gas boilers and other domestic appliances. They are often VERY cheap.

I don;t usually approve of posting AI screeds but this might be useful:

AI Overview

Gas cooker igniters, including spark electrodes and piezo units, are crucial for lighting burners. Common issues involve food debris or damaged leads, which can be fixed by cleaning with a toothbrush or replacing the electrode. Most modern cookers use electronic spark ignition, while older models may use manual piezo buttons.

YouTube +4

Common Igniter Issues & Fixes

• Dirty Electrode: Food debris or boiled-over liquids around the electrode can prevent a spark. Clean the area with a toothbrush and hot water.

• No Spark/Weak Spark: If the igniter makes no sound or a weak spark, it may need replacing, or the spark generator might be faulty

  .

• Broken Ceramic: A cracked white ceramic housing on the electrode will cause the spark to jump in the wrong place, requiring replacement.

• Types of Igniters

• Spark Electrode: The needle-like part at the burner.

• Piezo Igniter: Often used on portable or older cookers, creating a mechanical spark.

• Hot Surface Igniter: A heating coil used often in ovens

• How to Replace a Gas Igniter

1. Safety First: Ensure the cooker is unplugged and the gas is turned off.

2. Access the Igniter: Remove the burner cap and grate. For ovens, remove the base panel.

3. Replace Component: Disconnect the old electrode wire, remove the broken electrode, and install the new one.

4. Test: Reconnect the wires, reassemble, and test for a clean spark.

    

For consistent issues, check the spark generator (often located under the top hob) or replace the ignition switch. Replacement parts can be found on sites like BES, eBay, and Cooker Spare Parts.

Edited April 9Apr 9 by Tony1951

Does it have a safety cutout? I'd expect to be able to use a match to light the oven and the rings of a cooker that old.

Cheers @Tony1951 Trust me i have delved as deep into a diy fix as i feel comfortable ;) DIY-ing further will require a blind break down clues for which have eluded me every time i have stood over the thing (lots)over the last 3o yrs.

And its a 30 yr old cooker thats developed quirks, and is more a pita than its worth, no oven gas mark numbers due to getting wiped of the dial by cleaning!! lost paint and rust ingress mar the oven door, the timer set 'dial' a two way twist thingy only runs at full speed so as long as you ok with a timer with a 20 minute either way, it can take an age nudging to set correctly. so no auto off features get used.. way too much hassle..

In the wake of Trump threatening genocide as an afterthought and selling a ceasefire without an agreement our cooker is small potatoes, but it would have been nice to buy one based on more than availability.

1 hour ago, sjpt said:

Does it have a safety cutout? I'd expect to be able to use a match to light the oven and the rings of a cooker that old.

Rings/grill - no power no problem,, anything will light them. the ovens tho no power no gas.. and ignition is automatic as soon as the gas oven knobs turns on, ignition attempts result in an electric ground fault that takes out the main 100a mcb. Attempts to light the oven without plugging it in fail due to no gas..

Nothing is visible/accessible from the oven cavity all hidden behind steel requiering disassembly around the burner to access ?????

Removing the metal shrouding can be a PITA.

I remember struggling with Philips screws in an electric oven when i needed to replace a failed element. They were rock solid, rusted with heat, and so close to the edges of the oven that the screwdriver was at a slight angle and try as I might, the driver head slipped out and marred the heads. I needed a chunky handle on the driver to get enough torque, but the size of the handle and the proximity of the screws to the edge of the oven meant that the handle was fouling the side of the oven and shaft was at a slight angle to the ideal position for a good fit on the screw heads. In the end, I had to get an extra long screwdriver, driver so I could get the driver shaft in perpendicular to the screw heads. One ruined head had to be drilled off so I could withdraw the plate over the ruined screw. I later got the remaining ruined screw stump out with pliers

Yes - get rid of it. It has done its job long enough.

I had not grasped how past its best the oven was.

1 hour ago, Tony1951 said:

Removing the metal shrouding can be a PITA.

I remember struggling with Philips screws in an electric oven when i needed to replace a failed element. They were rock solid, rusted with heat, and so close to the edges of the oven that the screwdriver was at a slight angle and try as I might, the driver head slipped out and marred the heads. I needed a chunky handle on the driver to get enough torque, but the size of the handle and the proximity of the screws to the edge of the oven meant that the handle was fouling the side of the oven and shaft was at a slight angle to the ideal position for a good fit on the screw heads. In the end, I had to get an extra long screwdriver, driver so I could get the driver shaft in perpendicular to the screw heads. One ruined head had to be drilled off so I could withdraw the plate over the ruined screw. I later got the remaining ruined screw stump out with pliers

Yes - get rid of it. It has done its job long enough.

I had not grasped how past its best the oven was.

Another summer project - fix the gas oven and repaint its door ;) or at least salvage a few panels before it ends up at tip. ;)

5 hours ago, thelarkbox said:

Nothing is visible/accessible from the oven cavity all hidden behind steel requiering disassembly around the burner to access ?????

Access from underneath?

A friend of mine got a free gas cooker from Freecycle, said they were full of them. I thought it was a bit of a crazy thing to do, as they could be free because they've been condemned and the owners simpy didn't want to take the things to the tip themselves, but it turned out to be fine. She died a couple of years ago - heart disease, wasn't death by gas explosion.

https://www.freecycle.org/

Free cookers of various types on gumtree too, but you have to be fast if it's free.

Low cost or free large kitchen appliances are on ebay often, for pick up only. Filter search by proximity to postcode area, order results by price+P&P. New and refurbished is usually cheaper than from those shops you can't find because they've all but disappeared to reappear online operating from cheapo warehouses in the middle of nowhere.

Some of the larger British Heart Foundation charity shops test and sell large kitchen appliances, allow patrons to wantonly fondle and grope with gleeful abandon before buying, but they're not usually bargains.

Edited April 10Apr 10 by guerney

16 hours ago, guerney said:

Access from underneath?

A friend of mine got a free gas cooker from Freecycle, said they were full of them. I thought it was a bit of a crazy thing to do, as they could be free because they've been condemned and the owners simpy didn't want to take the things to the tip themselves, but it turned out to be fine. She died a couple of years ago - heart disease, wasn't death by gas explosion.

https://www.freecycle.org/

Free cookers of various types on gumtree too, but you have to be fast if it's free.

Low cost or free large kitchen appliances are on ebay often, for pick up only. Filter search by proximity to postcode area, order results by price+P&P. New and refurbished is usually cheaper than from those shops you can't find because they've all but disappeared to reappear online operating from cheapo warehouses in the middle of nowhere.

Some of the larger British Heart Foundation charity shops test and sell large kitchen appliances, allow patrons to wantonly fondle and grope with gleeful abandon before buying, but they're not usually bargains.

Cheers, but bottom access requires dismantling of half the kitchen, fridge and freezer + worktop need moving into the hall while removal of the cat-flap will allow the back door to open wide enough to remove 2x shelves and a cabinet, and eventually the cooker can be removed and then access to the bottom will be available..

An 8' x 9' galley kitchen with 2x doorways, while a breeze to tidy post cooking-washing up etc has its limitations..

Only pics i have are of a brew day circa 2010;) so its extra congested.

On 10/04/2026 at 18:55, thelarkbox said:

brew day circa 2010;)

Whoa thats a lotta something(s), beer or cider or both? What's the blue stuff top left in the first pic? Curacao?

You've inspired me to reach for the "Award Winning" Aldi Highland Black whisky. Surprisingly good considering it's low low price, if you don't add water. Seriously bloody odd with water. I swear I can taste ashtray when it's watered down a bit. Confusing, because "Ashtray" isn't listed as an ingredient on the label, "Notes of filthy ashtray" isn't on the label.

Edited April 13Apr 13 by guerney

Get a cheap small efficient backup oven? I had my doubts, but the Belaco air fryer I bought from a moon landing denier a couple of years ago on ebay for a tenner keeps on working. Had previously used halogen bulbed, this type with the usual heating electric cooker elements is much longer lived. Can't find my model, which is a bit taller than this one. Great if you want a fast cheap blast for pizza, dead animal parts etc. Also brill for cooking all sorts at various speeds. Dehydrates veg too, albeit at over 100C, not ideal. Microwaves are better for say, dehydrating carrots to tiny very sweet wine gum-like snacks, which contain so little water they remain pliable when frozen, or reducing and slooooow cooking porridge so it's ultra creamy - defrost mode is epic for both those things and more.

https://www.ypc.co.uk/product/belaco-air-fryer-oven-15l-double-layered-glass-1200w-air-fryers-toaster-grill-compact-kitchen-appliances-80-230-temp-setting-oil-free-healthy-heating/

Edited April 13Apr 13 by guerney

Enjoy, I cant see anything blue beyond the mango barrel boiler and cold box mash tun?? no exotic spirits im afraid.. top left of the 1st pic is dominated by a recycling bin overflowing with frozen gregs sausage roll boxes..

New cooker now installed- running an oven burn out and temp checks atm..

I poked about the cold cooker base.. 30 yrs of greasy dust bunnies and no easy to spot fixes like loose wires or cut connections..

new thinner oven (50 cm vs 55cm) wont accommodate 2 x lasagne /bake trays side by side on the same shelf, but if tats my biggest issue im happy ;)

This thread reminds me that a lot of people where I live are not too happy about having to get rid of their gas cookers! In the last couple of years Munich has become the road works capital of the world as part of a massive and ongoing project to plumb in a district heating system. Seems my apartment complex is due to begin retrofitting the new heat source next month, once up and working we have been told the gas will be cut off, end of story. In my case we have always cooked with electric but many of my neighbors cook with gas and are not at all happy and our lovely and expensive living room gas fire with fake logs will have had it!☹️Such is progress!

34 minutes ago, JoeCrow said:

This thread reminds me that a lot of people where I live are not too happy about having to get rid of their gas cookers! In the last couple of years Munich has become the road works capital of the world as part of a massive and ongoing project to plumb in a district heating system. Seems my apartment complex is due to begin retrofitting the new heat source next month, once up and working we have been told the gas will be cut off, end of story. In my case we have always cooked with electric but many of my neighbors cook with gas and are not at all happy and our lovely and expensive living room gas fire with fake logs will have had it!☹️Such is progress!

Given the geopolitical situation in Europe with rampant Russian expansionism, you'd think the local government powers would be cautious about centralised, essential services like heating.

Ukrainian cities which had centralised, old soviet times, heating systems, had them bombed by Russia, leaving the people shivering in their freezing homes.

Why do this anyway? What is the motive of taking away the individuality of the people, and their own autonomy. I know the people aren't making their own gas, but who can tolerate being dictated to like that?

Cheers @guerney I agree completely, I upgraded my microwave to a multi oven and am a tefal actifry fanboy. aka the chip machine 2kg of spuds in one go- perfect results..

@JoeCrow I appreciate the comment , the ominous foreshadowing however i could do without ;)

The 'Cheaper?' heating with less responsibility for h/w would certainly be welcome. Not sure about loosing the gas tho.. you have already come to terms there tho by the sounds of it.

Trump, Ukraine, sorry im going ostrich.. i come here to avoid that ?reality?

1 hour ago, Tony1951 said:

Given the geopolitical situation in Europe with rampant Russian expansionism, you'd think the local government powers would be cautious about centralised, essential services like heating.

Oh come off it, gas supply is also centralised and prior to the invasion of the Ukraine Germany was almost entirely dependent on cheap gas from Russia, how risky was that? Germany's gas supply these days is mostly liquid gas shipped over from the US and is considered to be too expensive and needs to be replaced with green energy asap.

BTW don't try and tell me how stupid it was to close down all Germany's nuclear power stations a few years back, on that I would agree with you.😄

50 minutes ago, thelarkbox said:

The 'Cheaper?' heating with less responsibility for h/w would certainly be welcome. Not sure about loosing the gas tho.. you have already come to terms there tho by the sounds of it.

Yes, our apartment building is old (1926) but well built and over the years as new tenants moved in the landlord has modenised the apartments with individual gas central heating systems. Ours and others though has not been modernised and we heat with our own separate gas fires in each of the living rooms and a gas geyser for hot water and so with most of the heat going up the chimney it's expensive. The district heating will predominantly be powered by green energy (Geo-thermal) and power station waste heat and will consist of a super hot water supplied to a convertor in each building which further distributes hot water as required. In our case it means we will get a plumbed in heating and hot water system with rads in each room which should be cheaper to run, so most welcome. For those apartments with existing central heating systems it will just require hooking up to convertor and removing the gas boilers. The work will be funded by the landlord but I understand they will benefit long term as there are many incentives involved.

Edited April 13Apr 13 by JoeCrow

When you eventually rip out that old cooker for the scrappy, get a ceramic hob? Most similar experience to cooking with gas you can get with electric. Faster than conventional elements. Unlike induction, you can use your existing pots and pans, though it's best if they fit the hobs or overlap. New ceramic hobs aren't usually repairable, economically or otherwise - I tried (false alarm on my new one[Oct 2022], probably due to a firmware fault state caused by a low slow gumbo cook using large cast iron lasting 15 hours setting off multiple temperature sensors; reset once power and excess heat was depleted by prolonged disconnection, is my theory), no replacement elements available, and the blanked off bolts somehow resisted the hardest drill bits. My first ceramic hob exploded with a loud WHUMP!!! and a jump, because grease had seeped through a crack over time and ignited. The new one bought Oct 2022 is still going great. You can usually install the hobs yourself, or buy integral with an oven as (inexpensive, can be) standalone cookers. My new one has a very useful ferociously hot and large 2.3kW ring, fantastic for mega hot and fast stir fries. The heat from that thing is unreal dude. Remember to replace immediately, when you see a crack in the glass...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08JCHY6RC

Edited April 16Apr 16 by guerney