A clean cooker cooks better, lasts longer and is safer. These five habits take a few minutes and prevent most of the faults we see.
1. Wipe spills straight away
Once the surface has cooled, wipe spills promptly with a damp cloth. Baked-on food is hard to shift, can block gas burner ports and can burn on to electric hobs. Never use water on a hot hob.
2. Clean the hob properly
- Gas hobs: lift off the burner caps and rings when cool, wash them in warm soapy water, clear the small ports with a soft brush and dry everything before refitting. Wet or dirty parts are a common cause of clicking and failure to light.
- Ceramic and induction hobs: use a cleaner made for glass, and a scraper for baked-on spills if the manufacturer recommends it. Avoid abrasive pads.
3. Look after the oven
Wipe out splashes regularly so they don't carbonise. Take shelves out and wash them. If you use an oven cleaner, follow the instructions, ventilate the room and keep it away from seals and elements unless the label says it is safe. If your oven has a self-cleaning function, check your manual before using it.
4. Check the seals and controls
Look at the oven door seal for splits and gaps, because a failing seal wastes energy and makes the oven slow to heat. Make sure knobs turn freely and that the oven light works.
5. Know the warning signs
- Flames that are yellow or limp rather than blue, black marks around the hob, or lots of condensation: stop using the gas appliance and call a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- A smell of gas: follow the emergency steps below.
- An oven that is slow to heat, a ring that doesn't heat or a hob that keeps clicking: these are common, fixable faults. See our guides to slow-heating ovens and hob problems.
Don't use switches, lighters or flames. Open doors and windows, turn the gas off at the meter (unless it is in a cellar) and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999, free, 24 hours, from outside the property.
We repair gas, electric and dual-fuel cookers of all makes across South Wales, from £70 + VAT with a 90-day guarantee. See our cooker repair page.
Call us on 029 2088 5355 for a quote, or book online. Same-day or next-day where possible, repairs from £70 + VAT, and a 90-day guarantee on every repair.
Book a repair onlineFrequently asked questions
How often should I clean my cooker?
Wipe spills as soon as it is safe to do so, give the hob a regular clean after use and clean the oven when you notice build-up. A deeper clean every few months keeps it working at its best.
How often should a gas cooker be checked?
The Gas Safe Register recommends having gas appliances checked by a registered engineer once a year.
