Something I learned today: Gas Stove Top Burner Not Lighting (Easy Fix!)

[Ptah]

[intrepidity]

1. Question: what is that disk called, and the part below it

that distributes the flame, and what material are they made of? Is it zinc?

And, best way to clean them?

[Ptah]

2. It is called the Surface Burner Base.

I'm not sure how to clean them.

They do look like zinc.

[Old Crank]

3. I have taken the discs off and just scrubbed them

I have had no troubles doing that. Sometimes if you have boil overs the disc will get get enough junk on it to hold up gas/air flow. That might be what plugs the little hole also. There could also be some stuff coating where the spark should bridge and some lite scraping would help the spark bridge the gap.
In 20 years of using a gas stove I have not had any real problems with those ignitor systems.

Just remember that if it doesn't ignite quickly turn it off and let it air out before trying again.

[Kali]

4. or just light it with a match/lighter

that was my fix after freaking mice chewed the ignighter wiring. new loom - $80-90. bic lighter - $2

also works when electricity is off, though you can't light the oven that way anymore.

I know somebody off grid who bought a new stove, had it set for propane but they didn't realize you have to have electric for the oven. LOL/BUMMER

[Ptah]

5. I have been using a lighter or matches on two of the four burners for more than a year

The youtube video showed up by magic a couple of days ago.

Now all of them light properly.

[Kali]

6. excellent!

that stove was a disaster. mice got under the top, chewed the ignighter wires, ruined the insulation and FILLED the space with dog and cat food they had been stealing at night. everytime we lit the oven it would have this weird smell. warmed dry pet food is kind of hard to identify.

I spent a week installing 1/4 inch hardware cloth over EVERY opening on my most recent stove and it has been good for more than a year. no more burning mouse piss stench when the oven is over 350.