Fix Cooker: Common Problems, Repair Tips, and When to Call a Pro

When you need to fix cooker, you’re not just dealing with a broken appliance—you’re facing a disruption to your daily routine. A cooker is a cooker, a key kitchen appliance used for baking, roasting, and boiling food, typically powered by gas or electricity. Also known as a range oven or hob and oven unit, it’s one of the most used devices in the home. If it stops working, meals stop too. Unlike a microwave or toaster, a cooker combines multiple systems: heating elements, thermostats, gas valves, igniters, and safety controls. That means something simple—like a faulty door seal or a dirty burner—can throw the whole thing off.

Most gas cookers, cookers that use natural gas or LPG to generate heat, requiring certified technicians for repairs due to safety risks fail because of ignition problems or blocked gas jets. Electric models usually die from broken heating elements, faulty thermostats, or wiring issues. You’ll often see signs like uneven cooking, no heat, error codes, or a burner that won’t light. Before you call a technician, check the power supply, clean the burners, and make sure the oven door closes tightly. A lot of "broken" cookers just need a good clean or a reset. But if you smell gas, hear clicking without ignition, or see sparks where there shouldn’t be any—stop. That’s not a DIY fix. Gas leaks and electrical faults can turn a simple repair into a dangerous situation.

Age matters too. Most cookers last 10 to 15 years. If yours is older and the repair cost is over half the price of a new one, replacement often makes more sense. But if it’s under 10 years and the issue is something like a broken element or thermostat, repair is usually the smarter move. You don’t need to replace the whole unit just because one part failed. Many UK households save hundreds by fixing just the faulty component. And if you’re unsure whether your cooker is gas or electric, check the back panel or the power cable—gas models have a flexible hose, electric ones have a thick plug.

When you do need help, don’t just call any handyman. Look for someone certified to handle gas appliances, heating and cooking devices that use combustible fuel, requiring Gas Safe registration in the UK for legal and safe repairs. Electric cooker repairs need a qualified electrician—especially if wiring or fuses are involved. A good technician will diagnose the problem fast, explain your options clearly, and never push a replacement unless it’s truly needed.

What you’ll find below are real fixes from people who’ve been there. From how to test an oven element without a multimeter, to why your gas cooker won’t light after a power cut, to whether it’s worth repairing a 12-year-old model. These aren’t theory pieces—they’re practical, tested solutions from UK repair techs who see these problems every week. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what works.