Adjusting the flame on a gas hob

[dizzyupthegirl86]

Not sure whether this is housekeeping or DIY…. But I have a Russell Hobbs gas on glass hob which is great but the smallest burner is still fairly strong, trying to simmer anything is a nightmare. The manual says the flame can be adjusted
‘Remove the dial from the tap and place a small bladed screw driver into the centre of the tap shaft’. I can remove the dial. But there’s nowhere for me to put the blade into the tap shaft! The top of it is smooth and it’s not hollow on the side either. There’s a small copper screw underneath which a bladed screwdriver would fit into but turning it has no effect on the flame… does anyone have any suggestions please? The written instructions in the manual make no sense compared to the diagram (which looks like you need to fiddle with a screw underneath it) and everything on google for that model suggests it’s the screw underneath that does it…. But am I doing something wrong? The black washer type thing rotates but neither that or the red thing come off.
I’m not a natural at this sort of thing! Also wanted to mention, the hob isn’t usually that dirty.

a lot of gas hobs don't go low as a 'safety feature' to be sure the gas doesn't blow out

you can buy a diffuser plate which sits on top of the ring & reduces the heat level so you can simmer things.

(or you can replace the whole hob with an induction which is much better)

Thanks - it just seems strange the instruction manual goes into detail about how to do it. The flame doesn’t change at all so it doesn’t go higher either. Not a fan of induction so will be keeping the job but the diffuser plate sounds worth looking into!

I sometimes use an iron simmering ring.

If you get a gasman in, specify that it is go adjust a (make, model) cooker. Some only do boilers.

Or, try the customer service desk at the manufacturer.

I still have the number of the guy who fitted it, I found them on the gas safe register actually so if the simmering ring I’ve ordered doesn’t do the job, I’ll give him a call.

It works well, butt please be careful with the simmering ring, if like the one I got... I was distracted and forgot to turn off the hob. As I couldn't see the flame due to the ring, I didn't notice until the next morning that the burner was still on!

My gas hob on the range cooker was a pain to simmer on too. I hope the diffusing plate helps. We switched to induction, when we moved, so much easier to adjust temperature and an absolute joy to clean.

I do agree with how easy induction is to clean, but I just cannot get used to cooking on them! I went for a gas on glass hob which feels like the best of both worlds to me.