UKC

I have a battered old gas cooker that is probably in need of replacement but that's not going to happen for a couple of months if at all.
Just recently the gas outlet on the oven has gone a bit strange. All positions on the dial, from around to 1 up to "Full" (the numbering and lettering have worn off the dial so bear with me!) result in the flame just being on full blast, as discovered when I burned 12 lovely sausages to a crisp
I do have SOME control over the output but that control has been compressed into about 10 degrees of turn, between "off" and what should be somewhere just below "low".

What can cause this? What does the dial (or "knob", if you must!) on the front of the cooker actually control mechanically? Could it be a coupling mechanism between that dial and the gas outlet, or simply something around the outlet ? I am clueless on such matters. The whole thing is kind of tolerable for the kind of cooking I do, but I wouldn't want to do anything technical such as baking, with the amount of guesswork I now have to do.

If the only advice can be "replace it" then so be it, but I'm just wondering what has happened, from a technical PoV.

Thanks

In reply to Blue Straggler:

Does it start off on a very low flame, then after a few seconds, shoot up? Or does it immediately go on to high flame?

In reply to Cthulhu:

It does this. Takes about 30 seconds. Funnily enough, until this issure flared up (!) it was the opposite - it would start off on a full flame then settle down to whatever lower setting I wanted after about 20 seconds.

In reply to Blue Straggler:

Dodgy thermostat I would guess. They

Usually a combined gas valve/thermostat with thermocouple type device for temperature control/flame failure detection

It might have a replaceable thermocouple but generally the symptoms for that would be it would hold in on initial lighting

Either way you need someone to replace it for you unless you are "competent" which generaly means gas safe registered for the appropriate area.

Price may be prohibitive as they can be £50 or more plus initial call out, then they order part and fit so depending on the age of the cooker might be worth replacing

http://www.cooker-parts.co.uk/10228/info.php?p=12&cat=14829

see link above for an idea of the type of component.

PS I previously was CORGI but am out of ticket so seek advice from a competent person who is up to date.

In reply to Radioactiveman:

Thanks! Yes, I figured that whatever it is, I'll be looking at a cooker replacement considering the age of the thing (it is knackered on a couple of other bits too - uneven grill and one of the hob rings is pretty much out of action). For the simple cooking I do, it's tolerable, but I will pencil in a replacement for the next couple of months. Gives me some freedom to seek out a bargain