Are my gas stove burners clicking due to high elevation?

I have a Viking gas stove. My front burners make a clicking sound when it is set on low. It doesn't seem to do this when the gas is higher. I have had a certified technician to check to see if anything is wrong and they can't seem to find anything. I have been told that this may be due to the high elevation of Calgary. We are at over 3000 feet from sea level. Could this be true?

Best Answer

While trying to find other resources for you question (looking at the effect of elevation on pilot lights in furnaces, hot water heaters, etc) it was mentioned that elevation does in fact play a role in the pressure of the gas being ignited and could theoretically create a problem. In most responses though, there was debate about whether the theoretical effect was effective.

Anyway, while elevation could be causing the difficulty, if your furnace and water heater are working I might suggest that either the pilot or the burner might need a bit of cleaning. Pilots will frequently tick when they are clogged or the jets around it are not making a whole circle.

If you clean it and have no result, you might want to look into ways to increase the pressure of the gas jets without increasing the overall output. Perhaps this is one of the Vikings with sealed burners? There are varying reviews on whether this helps/hurts air to fuel ratio at higher altitudes|elevations. If this is the case, your gas company may be of some assistance.

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Why are my gas burners clicking?

The clicking sound is caused by the spark electrode on a gas stove creating small sparks. During normal function, these sparks meet with released gas and ignite to create a flame. When it clicks outside of ignition, it may or may not be releasing sparks. dangerous, just noisy.

How do I stop my gas stove from clicking?

How to Fix It:

Disconnect your stove from its power source.

Remove the burner cap.

Clean around the igniter with a dry toothbrush or other small brush.

Use a paperclip or sewing needle to unclog the fuel ports.

Use a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove stubborn grime.

Replace the burner cap and reconnect stove.

Why is my stove burner popping?

The burner(s) could be wet from a spillover or from cleaning, this can cause a popping noise. Allow the burner(s) to completely dry and replace the burner cap. You can speed up the process by blowing cool air on the area using a hair dryer.

FIX: DCS range burner igniters clicking solution

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