DCS CDU-304 30-Inch Gas Cooktop Repair in San Francisco

The CDU-304 is a 30″ gas cooktop in the CDU/CDV group and is no longer sold new. At thirty inches it suits smaller kitchens, condos and apartments, which is a good description of much of San Francisco housing. That compact footprint also means burners sit close to each other, so one spill can affect more than one position.

What goes wrong on a compact cooktop

• Igniters coated with splatter after weeks of heavy use.
• Burner caps that sit slightly crooked and starve the flame on one side.
• Knob stems that stick, so the spark does not fire when the knob reaches its start mark.

These are mostly clean-and-inspect problems, though each needs confirming. Our page on a burner that will not ignite describes the test sequence.

Reading the CDU label

CDU and CDV models look alike on the counter, but the letter changes the parts list. Match the U on your label to the CDU series before ordering anything. finding the model number shows where to look, and we can read the rest once you send a photo.

Checks that are safe to do

1. Turn all knobs off and wait until grates are cool.
2. Remove the caps and dry them.
3. Brush loose crumbs from around the igniter tip.
4. Confirm the plug or hard-wired supply has power at the breaker.

If you smell gas, leave the kitchen, do not touch light switches or the appliance, and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.

Cabinet and counter

A 30-inch cooktop in a tight apartment kitchen often has a single drawer beneath and little space around the connection. Flexible gas lines can be pinched by stored items. Please empty the cabinet below before we arrive so that we can see the connection without moving your belongings around. Salt air near the waterfront can corrode metal parts over time.

Visit and approval

We diagnose, give a written estimate, and carry out only the repairs you approve. For scope, read the DCS cooktop repair page; for the lineup, the cooktops guide. The 36-inch version of the same group is the CDU-365.

Frequently asked questions