A gas food steamer is for restaurants that need steamed food in high volumes quickly, so if the unit stops working, it’s bad news. Therefore, below are some common causes and fixes for a gas steamer that won’t work, and when you should consider calling in a commercial appliances repair expert. Let’s begin!

Fixing A Commercial Gas Steamer That Won’t Work

Check The Pilot Light

If your commercial steamer is not working or steaming, the first thing you should check is the pilot light. It could be off. As you know, gas steamers are turned off at the end of the day or during long breaks, so the pilot light may be off. Try to relight the pilot light and try again.

However, if the pilot light doesn’t turn on, there could be a gas supply issue, a clogged pilot light orifice, a faulty thermocouple, control system issues, or something else. This is why the next thing to do is inspect the gas supply.

Keep in mind that newer gas steamers may not have a pilot light at all. They rely on direct ignition to light the burners. If the pilot light or burners are not working when they should, check the ignitor. We will explain more about the ignitor later in this blog.

Check The Gas Supply

One of the common causes of a gas steamer not working is gas supply issues. There could be a closed gas valve, a partially opened gas valve, a faulty gas valve, gas leakage, or any other issue creating the problem.

No gas supply: To ensure there is proper gas supply, try to turn on other gas appliances near the food steamer. If they turn on, something else might be causing gas steam problems. If they don’t turn on as well, there may be a gas supply or valve issue. So, locate and open the gas valve or contact the utility company or refill the tank.

Partially opened valve: The gas valve may be partially open. So, turn it off, make sure all the appliances connected to that valve’s gas supply are off, and then turn it back on by opening the valve fully. If it’s an automatic valve, consult an expert to inspect it.

Low gas pressure: It could also be that the gas supply pressure is low. With this, the gas supply won’t be enough to light the pilot or the burners, or they will work intermittently. So, check the gas pressure by using a manometer and compare it with the gas pressure your commercial food steamer requires. The user manual will be of help.

Faulty gas valve: A bad gas valve won’t open and close the gas supply as required, so the gas flow and pressure will be interrupted. You should replace the gas valve. At this point, hire a gas steamer repair expert or a plumber who specializes in gas-related jobs. It’s important because a malfunctioning gas valve may be leaking gas as well, so the expert will inspect everything and then carry out repairs and replacements.

Gas leakage: Gas leakage can also impact the gas pressure, leading to the steamer not working. A gas leak can be because of a faulty gas valve, but other things can also cause it, such as worn seals, corroded pipes, improper installation, a bad gas regulator of the steamer, etc. If you suspect a gas leakage, turn off all appliances and the gas supply valve, and call in an expert who will inspect everything for leaks and fix the problem.

Clean The Pilot Assembly

If the gas supply is fine and the pilot light is either not lighting or won’t stay lit, it could be due to a dirty or clogged pilot assembly. This is a common issue, so if you know your way around the gas steamer, clean the pilot orifice and the assembly that includes a thermocouple or flame sensor and a gas valve.

Inspect The Thermocouple Or Flame Sensor

As stated, the pilot assembly includes either a thermocouple or a flame sensor. Usually, older, simpler gas steamers have a thermocouple, while newer and advanced gas steamers feature a flame sensor. Both have the job of detecting heat and turning off the gas valve and the pilot light when there is no heat or flame. So, this is a safety device that prevents gas leakage.

As a flame sensor is essential in keeping the pilot light on, if it’s dirty or faulty, the pilot light will turn off frequently, have a weak flame, or won’t light at all.

You can try cleaning the thermocouple or flame sensor, but if the issue persists, you should hire a steamer expert to inspect the pilot light assembly and replace the thermocouple or flame sensor as required.

Clean The Burners

Similar to the pilot light assembly, dust and grease can also build up on the burners and stop them from lighting properly. This could also be the reason why your commercial food steamer is not working or steaming. So, clean the burners with a brush.

However, if you suspect that the buildup is significant, remove the burners from the unit and thoroughly clean them using the manufacturer’s recommended cleaner or hire an expert for steamer cleaning and maintenance.

Look For Power Issues

A commercial gas steamer requires electricity to power components, like the control panel, electric igniter, timers, etc. If there is no power or issues with the power source, the gas food steamer may not work or work intermittently, leading to uneven cooking.

So, check the power cord, outlet, circuit breaker, and others. Look for problems like a damaged power cord, faulty outlet, flipped circuit breaker, malfunctioning circuit breaker, etc.

Replace A Failed Ignitor

Gas steamers have an electric ignitor that is used to create a spark that turns on the pilot light (in traditional steamers) or the burners (in newer gas steamers). If it goes bad, the steamer won’t heat even when the gas supply, pilot light, and the burners are fine.

Note that a bad ignitor can also cause a gas leakage, so if you suspect that the ignitor is bad, contact an expert who can inspect and replace it.

Check The Door

Any type of commercial steamer has a safety mechanism that doesn’t let the steamer begin operation if the door is not shut completely. So, if your gas steamer is not working, check the door gasket. It could be dirty or worn. You can clean it properly and then try to shut it and turn the steamer on.

If the issue persists, the gasket may need to be replaced, or there may be a door-related issue, such as a misaligned door, loose or damaged hinges, etc. This issue is also best resolved by an expert to contact one.

Check The Water Level

Commercial food steamers have water level sensors that detect the water level and don’t let the unit operate if the water levels are low. This is a safety feature to prevent the unit from damage.

Therefore, check the water level. If it’s low, the cause may be low water pressure, a damaged or blocked water inlet valve, improper water supply, poor installation, water leakage, or a faulty water level sensor. If the water supply valve is on and the water inlet valve is clean and fine, then consult an expert who can check why the steamer is not filling with water.

Conclusion

If your commercial gas steamer is not working, check the power source, gas supply, pilot light, and burners. For a thorough inspection and repair, get in touch with a commercial steamer repair Northern VA technician.