Posted on 12/04/2018 6:10:00 PM PST by chrisser
Let me preface this by saying we live in a very rural area. Most of the year, our road and sometimes our driveway are impassable without 4wd and high traction tires. We also have no cell service. So getting a repair service out here or warranty work is basically not practical.
We bought this Maytag gas oven. We run it on propane. Bought it less than a year ago from Lowes and it's been nothing but problems. I've spent more in parts for it to get it working than what we originally paid for the oven (something like $350-400) and finally got it to work a few months ago after replacing the second ignitor. I've replaced the ignitor (twice), the gas control valve, and the touchpad/control board. Basically everything but the burners and the chassis. Tonight, my wife got an F1 error, which is either the touchpad, or the control board. Before it would just refuse to maintain a temperature.
I found some literature online that helped me troubleshoot it, and I'm getting pretty good at it.
But I'm frankly sick of dealing with it.
Is there anyone who makes a basic gas range that just works? Maybe one without all the electronic gizmos that are so unreliable? We don't need something fancy, but I'd like to get something new that I don't have to keep pulling out and taking apart.
Or maybe next time I should just buy two ranges and stick one in the garage to cannibalize for parts...
The grid goes down, or an EMP and your range is the least of your problem. In two months you will be boiling snow for water over a jet stove made out of a tin can.
I’d have had it back at lowes for a replacement the second time that it failed.....
The NG range had a propane connection hose from the NG "main". Mother always complained about the oven not working right, and they replaced it after some years, the installation people finding the wrong hose.
The replacement range is pretty crappy, imho. Can't remember the brand, but it's owned by Electrolux.
Thanksgiving, I noticed problems with the stove when the NG-fired boiler came on, flaming out burners set to low. I suppose the oven draw didn't help either.
Yep!!
They know what's reliable, they know all about the mergers and name changes. And they know the ones that they are always called to fix, and more importantly, the ones that they are not called out on.
Good luck
I have an old combo gas & wood cookstove, that I love, however if I were buying I would check out lehmans.com, they are non electric Amish store in Ohio, great selection and VERY helpful if you’Ll them. If you visit its a huge store
Copy and paste...
I retired after 32 from GE Appliances two years ago.
Older gas ranges were supremely reliable because they used a standing pilot and a thermocouple type gas valve for the oven, no electricity needed.
Today’s ranges all have electronic ignition of some type, and as you found, even if the ignitor glows, if it does not draw 3.2 amps the safety valve will not open.
Basic rule of thumb is to check for 120 volts to ignitor and if present, replace ignitor.
As others have told you, GE gas ranges are pretty decent across the board.
The low end ones work as well as the Profile.
Bookmark.
P.S. GE’s do come with LP conversion kit attached with instructions.
It’s pretty easy for most mechanically inclined people.
The old ranges had burners and that’s about it.
I had the same problem with my Literally-3-days-out-of-warranty refrigerator. Had a guy come out (for a hundred bucks) just to tell me that the compressor was shot.
Did some research, found the part causing the problem (not the compressor) and replaced it for $35.
Between Google and YouTube, there’s certain to be somebody out there who’s had the same problem.
“Between Google and YouTube, there’s certain to be somebody out there who’s had the same problem.”
With YouTube and Google, I’ve fixed my dryer, washing machine, printer, dishwasher, laptop and some other things that don’t come to mind now.
Get the one with the electronic control, I can tell you from experience the thermostat is more likely to fail than the electronic control.
The only repair you’re likely to need is the oven ignitor.
Most last 7-10 years.
Commercial grade. A little more pricey,
but built for a lot more use than a
standard range. And some with absolutely
no bells or whistles.
Try to look for a unit that has only mechanical components, not digitalized components. I have an OLD Maytag washer and dryer that have no plastic parts, nor any digital components....they will operate with minimal maintenance until the day I die.
I would consider looking for a very old gas unit that you can convert.
Or....perhaps you can buy a cast iron Carolina Cooker burner and then trick out the cabinetry so that it look nice....you can buy 2, so that you have a 4-burner cooking surface.
For the oven, I would go with wood, which I have done in the past. Works great.
Now you have a toofer prepper solution.
I agree...
I wonder just how costly a small start up making simple and old fashioned stoves, refrigerators etc. Would be.
Seems like there would be a market.
I have a Frigidaire https://www.frigidaire.com/Kitchen-Appliances/Ranges/Gas-Range/FGGS3065PF/
Got it on sale, eight or nine years ago it was above my price range otherwise.
It was half price and has been worth it
What an applicable sales man said about 15 years ago to me.
Today’s stoves are not made to cook on. they are made to heat things. To help prepare pre made foods. Not to bake from scratch or cook in any depth. One needs to purchase a restaurant quality stove to actually use it on a daily basis to cook foods.
GE gas stoves are essentially bulletproof ...
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