Smeg SUK62 MFWH…should I send it back now??

[susier]

Hi, just was reading another forum page which I found on google and can’t find now I’ve gone through all the registering etc. But hi all! The comments about Smeg made me think twice about a new cooker I’ve just bought from them (see title), it’s from a local store and had been returned to them for a minor repair, then left by previous owner. It’s been used a bit but not a lot according to them. Apparently it was a pin missing behind one of the knobs, now replaced…I don’t know if the assistant just made this up, she had a hard time remembering…anyway I got it for £549 instead of £899. Fine, till my gas fitter came to install the gas hob today. He had trouble getting the burners to stay lit, eventually a couple of them did but this was only after about 10 minutes trying. I have been trying to get them to light all afternoon, with very little success…I can just about get a result if I hold the knob in for 3 minutes, but this isn’t reliable. Triple wok burner will not stay lit at all. Does anyone think it’s something obvious and easily dealt with, or should I jack it in now and get them to come and take it away? Any advice appreciated! Thanks.

[kwatt]

Hi susier,

Sounds as if it’s just the thermocouples that need adjusted or replaced, it’s nothing major and worth having done given the money you saved on it. 😉

K.

[susier]

Re: Smeg SUK62 MFWH…should I send it back now??

Thankyou for that, I’m reassured somewhat! After seeing another user say she had this problem for a year until Smeg replaced Thermo’s with a longer version that sat more in the flame, I did wonder if it was a common Smeg issue. Anyway can I be awkward and ask you how thermocouples work? I mean they just look like little metal chess pawns to me, sitting there…what’s to go wrong? Also would it be possible the fault is due to the electricity not being connected yet? We’ve only managed to get the gas man out so far and he suggested it could be linked to this…like maybe the thermocouples were connected to the electrical supply? Thanks again.

[kwatt]

Re: Smeg SUK62 MFWH…should I send it back now??

Basically the heat on the part you see next to the flame causes expansion in a capillary that forces the gas valve to stay open, that’s why they need a few seconds to heat before the gas stays on.

It’s a safety device, if the flame blows out then the gas goes off but if they are faulty or not aligned properly then there’s not enough heat to hold the valve open.

The electrical side shouldn’t affect it at all.

K.

[gegsy]

Re: Smeg SUK62 MFWH…should I send it back now??

The old smeg thermocouples suffered badly from a poor earth contact via hob top attached to.
The new thermocouples have an additional flylead to attach to an earth point which alleviates the fault.

Greg

[susier]

Re: Smeg SUK62 MFWH…should I send it back now??

Oh! Thanks both. That’s brilliant. should be up and running before long with any luck, then. Cheers!

[susier]

Re: Smeg SUK62 MFWH…should I send it back now??

Hi, sorry to be a pain. Didn’t quite understand that last reply about the fly lead. Does this mean the cooker does in fact need to be fully wired in to allow the earth to function properly? (And thus the thermocouples to be effective?) Thanks : )

[kwatt]

Yes the cooker needs earthed properly, but there is an additional lead fitted to the later thermocouples to help with earthing.

K.

[susier]

Re: Smeg SUK62 MFWH…should I send it back now??

Thankyou very much for the info. Latest news, had it wired in today. Lo and behold the back burners light. Front two? Not having any of it!! Shop has admitted it was returned previously with this problem, stripped, rebuilt and tested. Previous buyers didn’t want it back. I can see why.
I was just starting to get excited because it looked so hopeful, but not to be.
Thanks anyway guys, I really appreciate your time and help. I’ll know what I’m talking about next time, anyway!
Cheers
Suse

[gegsy]

Re: Smeg SUK62 MFWH…should I send it back now??

susier wrote:Front two? Not having any of it!!

If flame is touching new thermocouple and good connections; can only be faulty gas taps.
Find a Corgi engineer here
Greg

[susier]

Re: Smeg SUK62 MFWH…should I send it back now??

Thankyou gegsy. I’ve arranged for shop to take it away. Only had it a week and really don’t want to get lumbered now. Never mind! Anyone got any suggestions for a really reliable brand? My old one was an indesit, say no more…Ideally like to spend a bit less than £500, too – price seems no indication of reliability in this case! but I could be proved wrong with something else. Grateful for your help thus far : )

[gegsy]

Re: Smeg SUK62 MFWH…should I send it back now??

Leisure Rangemaster are quite reliable Susier.
http://www.rangemaster.co.uk/index_426.htm

Greg

[susier]

Re: Smeg SUK62 MFWH…should I send it back now??

Excellent! Actually seen one locally, or is it a cannon rangemaster, it’s big and green anyway and runs on LPG…wondering if it could be converted? fairly old by look of it, well not ‘new’ anyway. I don’t know if it’s by the same people as you mention. Just off to look at website. Thanks a lot : )

[susier]

It’s a rangemaster 1100. Any thoughts? Like what to look out for in terms of what might need repair etc? Cheers guys

[gegsy]

Re: Smeg SUK62 MFWH…should I send it back now??

Hi Susier
Not all Rangemasters are convertable, but a reputable dealer or a call to Rangemaster will point you in the right direction ie- which models are suitable for LPG 😉

This link may be handy http://www.rangemaster.co.uk/BrRequest.asp

Greg

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