If your stove or cooktop is broken, cooking food for the household can become very difficult. Don’t suffer the inconvenience if yours breaks down, as you can have it repaired quickly and effectively by a qualified technician. 

Read on to learn more about stove repairs, including:

• Signs your stove needs to be repaired
• How much does a stove repairer cost?
• How do I find a stove repairer?
• Getting quotes for stove repairers

What does a stove repairer do?

A stove repairer is someone who specialises in repairs for your stove. A technician will be able to investigate and tell you what repairs your stove needs and have the training to carry out the repairs.

If your stove or cooktop is damaged and not working as it should, you will need to get it repaired. Problems that can affect your stove or cooktop include damaged seals, damaged wiring, broken elements, problems with glass or hinges, pilot lights not working and so on. 

All makes and models of stoves and cooktops can be repaired by a stove repairer, whether they are gas, electric, or induction.

Signs your stove needs to be repaired

There are a lot of signs that you can look for if you’re concerned that your stove might need to be repaired. Some will be relatively obvious and others might require some investigation but some good things to keep an eye out for include: 

Burners not turning on

One of the more obvious signs that your stove needs to be repaired is if the burners won’t turn on. Whether you have an electric, gas or induction stove, the burners need to be maintained and there can be a variety of reasons that yours may not be working. 

Rust 

If you’re noticing rust growing on your stove then it needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible. Rust is a perfect environment for bacteria to grow and could cause tetanus if left untreated. 

Smell of gas 

In general, if you’re smelling gas in your home, it’s a sign that something is wrong. If the smell is coming from your stove, then you need to ensure that you get a licensed plumber to fix it as quickly as you can. 

Your stove is smoking

If your stove is smoking, chances are that it might need a repair. Turn it off and check the surfaces for food bits or debris that might be the cause. If you can’t find any obvious sources of the smoke, then it’s probably time to call a stove repairer to fix the issue for you.

Food cooking unevenly

Nothing can ruin your cooking more than uneven heat. Finding that the bottom of your food is burned while the top is raw can be a sign that your stove needs to be repaired. 

Cracked glass

If you have a glass-topped stove and it's starting to crack, it can be a good idea to get a repairer in to fix it before it becomes a larger, and more expensive, issue. 

How much does a stove repairer cost?

Stove repair services calculate rates in different ways. A local service might charge by the hour, plus parts, or they may charge a flat labour rate to fix specific problems. 

In general, expect to pay around:

• $45 per hour, plus a call-out fee up to $90
• $100 - $500 as a flat rate, depending on the repair

If your stove is still under warranty, you may not have to pay anything for the repair. In other cases, you may have to pay for parts or labour only.

If you have an electric or induction stove, you may also need to call an electrician. It’s a good idea to check if there are any other electrical jobs or repairs you need if you end up getting an electrician in. Some examples of things electricians can help with include installation of lights, switches and ceiling fans. 

Sometimes it can be worth getting an appliance repairer to fix a couple of things in one go. If you have other appliances that need fixing, check out our article, How much does appliance repair cost? to get a better idea of costs. 

How do I find a stove repairer?

Before you hire a stove repairer, it can be a good idea to ask them some questions, including:

• What services are included?
• Are you registered or licenced
• Are you insured?
• Is the work guaranteed?
• Are your installers vetted?
• Can you provide references?

Getting quotes for stover repairers 

At hipages, we always recommend getting at least three quotes before hiring a tradie. The cheapest option may not always be the best one and you may find that there are additional costs down the line that can add up. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything you’re unsure about. You can always ask about the quotes and get an itemised list of what you are paying for.