Some gas cooker thermocouple advice please

Gautama

Hi, I’m looking for advice on a thermocouple on my gas cooker.
When I hold in the knob and the burner cap is centred I can see that the thermocouple is dead centre between two “prongs” of flame. When I release the knob, the burner goes out. However, if I de-centre the burner cap slightly, then one prong of flame hits the thermocouple directly and the burner remains lit.
So the thermocouple is either offset slightly, or else it is partially defective, ie not generating the required voltage to make it work all the time.

I know, I know, the ol’ timers will tell me to call a registered gas installer/technician, etc, etc.
But I was looking for suggestions. The thermocouple doesn’t look any dirtier that the other burners’ thermocouples, but is there some way of cleaning it? Or can I bend it to get it to get more flame?
I understand the electronics of a thermocouple and how it works in a burner, just wondering if any members have a hack they’ve used themselves?

brightspark

Gautama wrote: »

I understand the electronics of a thermocouple and how it works in a burner

Really?

A lot of them aren't electronic!

Gautama

brightspark wrote: »

Really?

A lot of them aren't electronic!

As in, I’ve a degree in Electonic Engineering and understand electronic and electricals. Elements in the thermocouple area heated creating potential difference, and this small voltage, in the case of a gas cooker, keeps the gas flowing. Yaddayaddayadda.

brightspark

Gautama wrote: »

As in, I’ve a degree in Electonic Engineering and understand electronic and electricals. Elements in the thermocouple area heated creating potential difference, and this small voltage, in the case of a gas cooker, keeps the gas flowing. Yaddayaddayadda.

I also know how an electrical thermocouple works, however there are other ways of controlling valves.

Call a registered gas technician.

Gautama

brightspark wrote: »

I also know how an electrical thermocouple works,

You do now

quote="brightspark;108584049"]however there are other ways of controlling valves.

[/quote]


It’s definitely a thermocouple.

brightspark wrote: »

Call a registered gas technician.

Read the original post, grandad.

brightspark

Gautama wrote: »

It’s definitely a thermocouple.



Read the original post, grandad.

A childish response, perhaps I am old enough to be your "grandad".

You obviously know everything, why did you bother to ask for help?


For the benefit of others, who may want to help you, it might be useful to post the make and model of your cooker/hob.

OP, Please call a registered gas technician.
From my limited knowledge of gas appliances, I do know that an incorrectly installed thermocouple could result in the gas never shutting off completely when the flame goes out.

I'm locking this thread before it turns into a slanging match.