The electric stove hums: during operation, when turned off, why?

Sometimes the operation of an electric stove is accompanied by an “accompaniment” - a clearly distinguishable hum. For some models of induction cookers, a certain level of operating noise is a factory feature, but the volume of this very noise is far beyond the threshold of irritability. As a rule, a nasty monotonous hum or rattling indicates that the appliance is not functioning correctly, so it makes sense for the owner of the stove to seek help from a service center that has impressive experience in resuscitating broken electric stoves, ovens and hobs. Our highly qualified technicians have been repairing kitchen appliances for over 10 years, using the highest quality spare parts. The service desk is open seven days a week and on holidays from 8:00 to 23:00. Our specialists travel anywhere in Moscow, the Moscow region, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. You can fill out an application by calling 8 (495) 228-39-35 or online.

Requirements for dishes

Not all cookware will be heated by a magnetic field. The bottom of suitable frying pans, pots and other containers must have ferromagnetic properties. However, in practice, this excludes only three popular materials: glass, ceramics (namely the base, not the coating) and aluminum. At the same time, aluminum frying pans are often made with a layer of steel or copper, which is sufficient for compatibility.

You can find out if the dish is suitable using a magnet: bring it to the bottom. If you are attracted, there will be no problems. Cookware for induction cookers can be bought at any store; at most you will have to give up a couple of old saucepans in favor of new ones. Or, as an option, buy special removable bottom attachments that will ensure compatibility.

Troubleshooting methods

A malfunction associated with extraneous sounds, as a rule, is not a consequence of fatal changes in the operation of the stove. However, opening the device casing on your own and subsequently interfering with the operation of the unit can have an extremely negative impact on its technical characteristics. To avoid this, it is better to entrust the repair of an electric stove to specialists.

However, every user should have an idea of ​​possible malfunctions and how to resolve them:

1. Humans are unable to influence the physical properties of metals, so you and I just have to put up with the occasional rattling of the side panels of the case;
2. The cooking heating element may be installed incorrectly, which may cause it to suddenly fall out of place. The repairman can easily return it to its original position and secure it tightly.
3. Any of the two fans installed in the electric stove can either begin to touch adjacent structural elements, or change their shape under the influence of high temperature. In both cases, the temperature regime in the stove may be disrupted, which in the future can lead to serious problems;
4. In general, any liquid that gets inside an electric stove can cause a variety of malfunctions, some of which can be “audible”;

Automation and security

Another advantage of induction cookers: the burners only work when there is a cookware on them. We removed the frying pan and the induction stopped working. In this case, the burner will not begin to heat an object smaller than a certain diameter, even if it has ferromagnetic properties (more about them below): if you accidentally put a fork on the active burner, it will remain cold. Therefore, even a switched on stove will not harm children and pets.

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Automation also allows you to select different cooking programs and precisely adjust the desired heating temperature. If you need very fast and strong heat, which is used to boil water or cook a dish in a wok, many models have a Power Booster function: the selected burner will draw the power of the others for its needs.

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The stove is humming

The operation of an induction cooker is not silent, it hums or even buzzes evenly: this is the sound of the induction coils working when interacting with the cookware. This may annoy some people, which is why this item is included in the “cons” section, but in general, any cooking is not a silent activity, and the humming will very quickly be drowned out by the noise of frying or water pouring from the tap. In new models, the noise is becoming less and less, but specialized dishes also help. It costs more than usual, but the manufacturers promise an almost complete absence of buzzing in addition to improved thermal conductivity and a perfectly flat bottom surface.

Sound source

Despite the fact that the kitchen, by definition, cannot be the quietest room in the apartment, the creators of kitchen appliances have always strived to make their devices as “silent” as possible. But sometimes careless operation or manufacturing defects can cause various malfunctions in the operation of the stove. A direct consequence of these disturbances may be a dull sound, vaguely reminiscent of the hum of the turbines of an airplane flying above you.

If your electric stove is humming, check out the main causes of various unpleasant sounds:

• The “Booster” function, as a rule, forces the heating elements to work in forced load mode, so you should not be surprised by the appearance of additional sounds;
• The burner may be clogged or deformed. Such damage usually results in a cracking sound due to vibrations on the surface;
• Large metal parts of the housing expand when heated and contract when cooled. This process may be accompanied by a soft cracking sound or the sound of a metal sheet bending;
• The tubular electric heater (TEH), which is the main heating element of electric stoves, can become loose and hum, as the vibrations it creates have a wider amplitude;
• If the sound comes from the oven, the reason may be due to the operation of the fan involved in convection;
• The fan cooling the front panel may move off-axis or even lose its blade, resulting in rattling noise;
• Sometimes noise is a consequence of the interaction of magnetic coils and the material from which the cookware is made. The volume of the hum depends on the thickness of the walls, the characteristics of the material from which the dishes are made, the smoothness of its bottom, weight and tightness of fit to the surface;

If the induction unit is operated with a wet pan bottom, a cracking sound (or whistling sound) is inevitable.

The most “popular” and real malfunction

If you look at the simplified diagram, it becomes clear that one of the important components is the control transistor T1 of the output stage (the same one that is cooled by the radiator).

It is he who is susceptible to thermal overload, especially when using cookware of a smaller diameter. The operation of the circuit is designed in such a way that with an increased load on the induction coil, the operating current of the transistor sharply increases. A burnt-out part is not necessarily diagnosed visually, since the radiator is in place and is effective. Therefore, if there is a suspicion that the transistor has failed, it must be checked individually.

Using a multimeter, you can easily identify the fault and replace this critical part.

Another contender for elimination is the power capacitor. In a simplified diagram it is designated as Cr. It works directly with the induction coil, and is also subject to overheating.

The algorithm is the same: if there are no traces of breakdown on it, unsolder it and check it with a multimeter.

How to repair?

To repair an induction cooker yourself, you must immediately prepare diagnostic tools, a soldering iron and soldering devices. As a rule, the cause is either improper operation, a manufacturing defect, or liquid getting inside the housing.

If the stove does not turn on, the culprit may be a faulty power cord or a problem with the plug. Repair in these situations is carried out as follows: the stove is disassembled, the wire is cut at the entrance to the household appliance, after which the copper strands are stripped. Having assessed the condition of the conductor using a multimeter, it is necessary to remove that part of the wiring that is still in the housing. Finally, the power cord is installed and the pair of main conductors is correctly connected to the grounding conductor. The plug is also cut off and replaced with a collapsible three-pin product.

When the cause of the breakdown is a damaged fuse, it will be enough to disassemble the device, replace the failed part and return the induction system to its original state. To return the control module or touch panel to operation, you will also have to purchase a working element and replace it. Loose pressure springs are even easier to repair - they just need to be tightened to the level required, according to the instructions.

Common breakdowns

If the hob clicks and , the main source of the malfunction is the burner relay. The problem can be determined by diagnostics by specialists. Do-it-yourself testing is impossible due to the need to disassemble the case. Another source of the problem is the use of unsuitable cookware, which causes heating to occur incorrectly and the electronics constantly changing operating parameters.

If the panel or stove clicks and at the same time, the cooling fan becomes the source of trouble. Its design has become contaminated with dirt, crumbs, grease, and the blades cling to them. Damage to the shaft and electric motor is possible.

There is a sound when working

If a conventionally designed electric stove hums, this indicates a deviation from the normal operating protocol or even a breakdown. When operating, noise can come from different areas of the device:

• From the burner. There is a heating element under each burner. If moisture, grease or other debris comes into contact with the heating element, it will oxidize or become deformed, and this is where a buzzing sound occurs. Also, the metal part of the heating element itself could become loose due to constant heating and cooling. Then the noise effect occurs due to the large amplitude of vibrations of the material. This is typical for Hansa and Indesit devices.
• From the oven. Electric stove ovens also have heating elements, usually they are larger, but not as powerful as under the burner. The top and side heaters are usually not covered with anything, so grease drops and condensation from food can get on them and clog the part. There is also a fan in the oven, which should disperse the air around the chamber and balance the temperature. If one of the blades is bent or the cooler motor is damaged, a loud humming noise may come from it. You should not ignore it: if this part does not work correctly, excess energy is consumed and the entire mechanism wears out. Also, a hum in the oven may indicate a breakdown of the thermostat - temperature sensor.
• From the back panel. If you hear a steady hum coming from the back while it is turned on, this indicates damage to the wiring or power cord. Turn off the power supply and call a technician.

Features of the malfunction

When an induction cooker clicks, you should pay attention to several nuances. This type of equipment is characterized by a clicking sound when heating up or operating at high power. If the stove clicks and works, then the relay regulates the power. There is also a sound when the heating level is reduced. In other cases, clicking is associated with malfunctions that arise for the following reasons:

• Manufacturing defects. Parts break during the warranty period. More often in the first 1-3 months of active use. Repairs are carried out inexpensively or under warranty from the manufacturer.
• Natural wear and tear. The relay has failed due to prolonged use. Requires replacement with a new one.
• Incorrect use, care. Violation of the rules of use, cleaning, washing and other manipulations. We recommend that you study the instructions from the equipment supplied with the device upon purchase. If the brochure is lost, you can find it on the manufacturer's official website.

Where to buy a new stove

You can resolve the issue as quickly as possible by visiting the nearest specialized store. The optimal option, in terms of price-quality ratio, remains purchasing from the AliExpress online store. Mandatory long waits for parcels from China are a thing of the past, because now many goods are in intermediate warehouses in destination countries: for example, when ordering, you can select the “Delivery from the Russian Federation” option:

Our advantages

The Remontano workshop invites clients in Moscow and the region who have encountered problems with induction cookers to cooperate. We will promptly restore serviceability at reasonable prices. The cost of work is determined by diagnostics and does not change until the services are completed. Other advantages include:

• Extensive experience working with household appliances.
• We repair induction, electric, gas stoves and panels.
• We work with brands Gorenje, Bosch, Zanussi, Ariston, Kaiser and others.
• We carry out home repairs of any complexity.
• The work schedule is from 7:00 to 23:00 allowing you to choose a comfortable time.
• Travel around the city is provided free of charge.

Induction hob: pros and cons

Induction cookers are in great demand abroad, but the Russian market is still wary of them. Is this justified? We have already dispelled five popular myths that stop you from buying: “Induction hob: 5 myths.” However, induction has objective disadvantages and advantages, which we will discuss in this article. Let your choice of stove be informed!

Price issue

The first thing that frightened many people about the new product that appeared on the market was the price. But against the background of prices that have increased during the crisis, the difference in the cost of conventional electric stoves and induction ones is not so noticeable. Of course, the price also depends on the functionality, so you can simply abandon the bells and whistles that are unnecessary for you in favor of induction technology.

The most popular are Bosch induction hobs. We monitored many sites and realized that they have the largest number of positive reviews. The second most popular brand is Electrolux. If you compare these two brands in terms of cost, it is almost the same.