Wednesday, September 1, 2010

How to Fix a BlueStar Igniter

First, a little context. This is Jason, Helen's husband. Helen is currently getting some extra sleep so that she'll be conscious for the next 2am feeding :) This morning, Paul, from Vesco, came to fix a burner igniter problem we've been having with our BlueStar range. Paul discovered the problem and showed me the easy fix, so I wanted to share it with all of Helen's blog readers.

We had our BlueStar range installed approximately 1 year, 1 month ago. Since then, we've had six problems and repairs ("jet engine" noise, 2 stuck doors, broken oven bottom, failing oven glow bar, intermittent igniter), all under warranty. Vesco is the local service company BlueStar uses for warranty repair. Our latest issue, which is the topic of this post, is burner igniter trouble. July 16th, Helen noticed that our high-intensity burner would occasionally fail to light, even when she held it in the "lite" position for a while. When I looked at the problem, I noticed that all other burner igniters were firing (I could see sparks arcing between the igniter and the burner), just not the high-intensity burner igniter. Clearly, something was wrong with the high-intensity burner igniter.

The next day, we emailed BlueStar about the problem. They sent us a replacement igniter and installation instructions. Once the igniter arrived, I was able to replace the igniter without much trouble. At first, the burner came on fine. But, a few days later, we noticed that the problem was recurring---sometimes the igniter would spark, sometimes it wouldn't. We let BlueStar know the replacement didn't fix the problem and they set up an appointment with Vesco, their Boston-area warranty service company.

Like I mentioned before, today was the day that Paul from Vesco came to fix the igniter. We know Paul quite well at this point. I think he's been to our house 7 times now. He's quiet, but knows his stuff. It didn't take long for him to identify and fix the problem. I demonstrated that the igniter wouldn't spark. He took off the burner grate and bowl and immediately pointed-out that the transparent igniter connector plug was touching a metal pipe. "There's your problem," he said. He turned the burner knob to "lite" and, sure enough, we could both see that the spark was coming from the transparent igniter connector plug rather than from the tip of the igniter. "You just need some electrical tape," he said. He got out his roll of electrical tape, wrapped around the transparent igniter connector plug and fired the burner. It worked like a charm. I don't think I'll ever understand why BlueStar doesn't simply design their ranges to avoid these sorts of problems. But, it's certainly nice to know that if we have trouble with the other igniters, a fix could be as easy as a few inches of electrical tape.

Before writing this post, I emailed Michael, our new BlueStar service rep, to let him know the source of the problem and the electrical tape fix, suggesting that they add this to the igniter replacement instructions. He said that he thought that tip would be helpful and asked his supervisor to add it to the instructions.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dude, awesome, thanks for the quick fix!

Unknown said...

Hi Paul

We have this stove too and have had the "jet enngine" sound on one of the burners since the day of install. Do you happen to remember what that was from and how they fixed it? Blue Star is "claiming" they have not encountered it. I am able to demonstrate it on the phone and they can hear it. I also have a problem with one of the burners the same as you describe above. I will definately try that. Do you happen to have pictures so we can see the fix?

Sue

Helen said...

We don't have pictures, but if you try to search on youtube, you might find something. The noise might be fixable by adjusting the high and low settings on your burner (check your manual for info). Unfortunately, I don't remember how the noise problem got fixed. It was 4 years ago and we've had much more persistent problems that stand out in my mind more ;) I have an excellent BlueStar rep. If you want his contact info, e-mail me helenrennie (AT) gmail (DOT) com

B Cube said...

Not sure I understand the electrical tape. This must be on the back side of the stove? electrical tape in the stove would melt, can you explain a little more about its location. we are having the same problem

thanks

Jason said...

Hi Les Leocatiens,

I uploaded a picture of what it looks like. See https://plus.google.com/100755182626715188570/posts/hD9HTixiUKZ

Jason

Jason said...

Here's a clickable link to the picture: https://plus.google.com/100755182626715188570/posts/hD9HTixiUKZ

Anonymous said...

Have you ever found a reasonable substitute for the ceramic igniter? It keeps cracking on me, and Bluestar is selling them for $23/each. It's very annoying to having to continually buy these.

Helen said...

our igniters have never cracked, so I never looked for a solution. best of luck to you!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous, I have the same problem, have you found a source for reasonably priced igniters? Thanks

Anonymous said...

Wow, thanks. Was online to buy a new igniter, but saw your post and moved the wire and now it works fine.

Anonymous said...

Thanks! Worked for me!

Anonymous said...

Brilliant! This worked for me! Thank you for posting about this!!!!

Unknown said...

Just received 2 ignitors from BlueStarcooking.com, The new ignitors is upgraded or improved. The original ignitor has an wide open(ceramic tube) on top where spark wire bent out. New one, the top ceramic tube is seal where spark wire bent out. I hope this new improved ignitor last longer or less like broken on overflow water. I own the drop in cooktop for 5 years. This is my 5th ignitors. So far every time is overflow soup or water. Lucky it is so easy to replace. Generally I am very happy with cooking performance.

Perry Fetterman said...

Worked like a charm! Thanks!

Left Lane With The Blinker On said...

Here is a substitute ignitor.
If it isn't available, just search for:

741801 Range Ignitor

I haven't used this one yet but a friend has and it worked.



https://www.amazon.com/741801-Aftermarket-Range-Ignitor-ElectrodeNEW/dp/B019PLVQC0

WB said...

I've had such problems recently with my natural gas stove top. Of note huge poofs when lighting the front 2 burners. Thought I'd replace the ignitor but cant replace my ignitor as the screw is rusted and cannot loosen it.

d l nuzum said...

I too have had the igniter screw problem. Cast iron doesn't hold screws that well. Too brittle. My solution was to drill it out with a cobalt bit and use a slightly larger screw than the original. It's a bit precarious, but it has held for a couple of years now, but I imagine it will fail on the next igniter replacement, which is inevitable on these burners. Owning a BS is a bit like owning an MG or a Triumph sports car. They cost a lot to buy and they cost a lot to keep running smoothly.

Currently I have the jet engine oven sound and read the post on that. I'll poke around and see if I can jerry rig something for that too.

Like many of the posters here, I love and hate the BS. When it works it is awesome. When it doesn't, it's very frustrating.

Personally, I'd prefer pilot flames over these stupid automatic clicker igniters. But I guess the electronic ignitions are niftier... if they work.

Richard Heilman said...

I own a Blusestar 30" RCS that is about 8 months old. I must say that for almost $7000 I am not that happy with it. Other than the burners being so powerful in terms of BTUs, which tend to burn and scorch even at low settings, the front right burner piezo will not stop sending a spark when the burner on. I contacted Bluestar and all they told me is that a repair service would have to come and inspect the range and that it was not covered under warranty because I installed the range myself. The igniter is obviously defective, so why would I spend a probable substantial amount of money just to have the range inspected? I plan to order a generic igniter and install it myself, or will order one for $35 from Bluestar if I can't find a generic one. Seems a lot of people have problems with these very expensive ranges and their customer services is pathetic. So "Buyer Beware".

Anonymous said...

Cracking is usually caused by a pot boiling over anf the hot igniter getting wet.