Gaggenau cook top

[Carl Boger]

I am currently camping in a State Park campground on 30 amp service.  The temperatures are in the 70's for the highs with overnight temps in the 40's.  Instead of cooking outside we cooked inside using the Gaggenau cook top.  It operated normally and lit by the ignition system and turning the gas valve to open.  When we finished cooking we turned it off and everything was normal.

This campground was at full capacity and we had one AC unit running to keep the dogs cool, that and a TV and a few lights.  Well I guess the crowd was to much for the electrical system and the Parks 30 amp breaker tripped twice.

After it tripped the 2nd time we heard a clicking sound coming from the Gaggenau cook top.  I took the covers off and it was trying to light both burners with the ignition system, both igniters were sparking, but the knobs were not being held down.

I started pulling out the drawers and cutting board under stove top and found that the stove was plugged into a 120 volt outlet.  I unplugged that and the clicking/igniting stopped.  Good to go for to night.

Tonight I found out that I can light the stove with a lighter so it doesn't have to be plugged in to work.  I was actually surprised to find out it was 120 and not 12 volts.

That being said I still like things to work correctly.  Does anyone have any ideas how or why this happened?
Any insights on how to fix this?  I really like this cook top, but can not justify spending  more to fix it than it is worth.  Induction cook tops are not that expensive now.

Thanks for any help and sorry to be so long winded, but I really believe it had something to do with the power outage since both burners were trying to ignite at the same time. 

[Carl Boger]

Just to follow up on this post in case it will help someone in the future.

After posting here I posted this to Gaggenau's customer support site, and waited for a response, well I am still waiting.

Today I went out and made sure that the propane was cut off at the tank as well as at the stove top.  I removed the necessary drawers and plugged the stove top back in, and did not hear any clicking or see it trying to ignite. 

I turned on the stovetop's burner controls while pushing down and it clicked and sparked at the igniters, so it was working properly again.  I left the covers off and checked on it several times today and it has not come on that I have seen

I did learn in my research that both igniters will ignite or spark anytime you try to light either burner. 
I still don't know what caused this or if it will happen again.  What I do know is unplugging the power stopped it, and plugging it back in seems to have reset it.

[Joel Ashley]

I’m also surprised to hear any RV gas cooktop uses AC ignition.  Seems unnecessary;  12v will spark just fine, and barbecues and campstoves generate spark mechanically.

I’d still harass Gaggenau for theories, as it may happen again or repeatedly.

Joel

[Carl Boger]

Thanks Joel,

If they respond I will pick their brain, otherwise I will not further support them or their business.  I already learned from 1st hand experience and their website that without power the burners can always be lit with a kitchen lighter. 

My stove is like new, and has obviously seen little use over the years.  Since it works well we will use it in colder weather or anytime we need it cooking inside.  If Gaggenau reaches out and it gives me further trouble I will look to them for a possible replacement.  If they don't I'll take them off the list, and find another manufacturer or go with a induction option.  It's nice to have the 120 volt power already there..

[Carl Boger]

Ok following up on the follow up,  Gaggenau emailed me back today and indicated that they really had no idea why it happened.  They then requested my zip code to look for certified repair centers.  I sent them my zip code and they sent back 4 repair centers fairly close to me.  They also apologized for the amount of time it took to respond.

I did explain that it was working correctly now, but if it has not self cured I will probably take it in to a repair center.  My wife really likes the way it heats up and cooks.