Viking Oven Broken Again

16 years ago

We have a 10-year old all gas Viking range we purchased during a kitchen remodel. The oven has given us continuing problems. After some searching online, there appears to be well-know issues with Viking gas ovens, primarily with the igniters. We're on our second set and something isn't working once again. I found one post where someone who purchased a Viking in '97 was on his 3rd set, so I guess I shouldn't complain. He said Viking considered igniters like "batteries" that needed replacing every 2 - 5 years. This seems like REALLY poor design to me. I have a 15-year old gas furnace that has never had the igniters replaced. I called Viking to see if I could talk with a technical person about the problem, but was informed the only people allowed to speak to them were technicians. Our local service person put a 10" scratch in our brand newly refinished hardwood floor when he was here about a month ago and denied doing it, so I really don't want to call him back. Has anyone replaced the igniters in their Viking gas overn themselves? I'd like some help and suggestions about what to do about this. Viking would probably sell me the parts because I've ordered an oven light socket from them in the past. I also saw somewhere that there was another brand of igniter that would work. Sorry for the long post, but I'm about ready to buy another stove, as I've spent about $1000 on this stove in service while the refrigerator (GE Profile) and dishwasher (Asko) we bought at the same time have never required service. Any and all suggestions welcome.

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jakkom

16 years ago

Actually, I'd pick companies based on good customer service. DCS is now owned by Fisher Paykel, and is probably going to be more responsive than the Viking and Thermador-Bosch-Siemens companies, who are, like Whirlpool and LG, pretty well known for blowing customers off. If it works out of the box, great, but if not.....you'll need your dealer or vendor to go to bat for you, and sometimes even that doesn't always help.

Realistically, the less electronics on an oven, the better. If you can live without self-clean, there's American, Bluestar, Wolf, and Capital. If not, Miele also gets high marks, as does the Gaggenau (but then you're back on Bosch-Siemens again) steam oven. Another good customer service company is the GE Monogram brand - not Profile! Monogram has its own customer service # and is much more responsive.

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Comments (26)

User
16 years ago
My advice, ditch the thing for something better. Viking 's attitude towards known problems is horrible. They're fridges have a known design flaw, yet they continue to produce they thing sans modification. BTW no one else in the industry consider igniters to be "like batteries". Also co.s can spec good batteries (ones that preform and last a long time) or cheap crappy ones that fail or run down quickly. I'd expect better from Viking on their ranges since that's what they made their reputation on.
gary_2008
16 years ago
Wish I could help..I just put deposit on 30" gas range and am concerned about some of negative reports on service and quality...should I be looking elsewhere like DCS or JennAir?
Help...please!
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I'm confused. Why can't someone just use Bake? I may be totally naive and not discerning enough --and not baking with enough variety to relate to the conversation, but I don't notice any difference between using the Wolf Bake that apparently uses a little of the top element to do what they've considered is the best job, and using my old GE Profile that wasn't convection. I thought maybe it's part of the compensation for having the bottom element buried? I have also never found much of a learning curve with convection, other than to not use it for certain things. I don't adjust temps, and am happy to have things cook a little quicker when they do. Those old ovens weren't all that perfect or precise, so checking to make sure things didn't under or over bake was routine. There aren't ovens out there, are there, for which you can't turn off the convection? I'm with you on the knobs, of course, and do wish there was a quality oven available without all the bells and whistles and in the hundreds, not thousands, of dollars. I would've gladly done that this last time. But less expensive just meant cheaper. It's like the cars that have GPS and electronic everything, but you can't trust to get you from Point A to Point B without parts falling off.
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Dodge - I try not to make assumptions, or broadly criticize. I try to call a spade a spade. Like the good folks that complied that chart I base most of my advice on experience and my own collected historical data. After 15 years of nothing but high end kitchens that is now considerable for high line gear. Not so much on the mass market stuff. In addition I actually own or have owned and used a lot of these units that are kicked around here. Their chart is nice, but you can clearly see that they concentrate on the mass market and lower price stuff. Nothing wrong with that. There are some nice units. At my playground up the ladder a ways things are different, prices are higher and so are expectations. Folks around GW tend not to over analyze a $1200 Kenmore fridge purchace. They do often fret over a built in one costing 5 to 6 times that. So accuracy is key (in my view) when playing there. So, what's wrong with their chart? 1. Thermador- some of their units are made by Bosch, their parent but others are are are the same basic box from Whirlpool that these guys tout as a best buy. Someone reading this in ignorant bliss would likely conclude that Thermador was a no no. Parts are also not hard to come buy unless you are not an authorized service center. Then they are a available as anyone elses subject to the normal supply chain logistics that affect all large manufacturers. 2. Viking - their fake built ins are indeed built by Whirlpool and look nice too. Can't be a really good unit AND a clunker just because of a better paint job. Viking's built in line , generally regarded as bad news is made by Viking themselves on tooling and dies bought from Amana - which they gave good marks to. 3. Marvel - if they were being consistent it would list the manuf. as Northland, which was left off the list, OR AGA which bought both of them a few years ago in the boom time. 4. Left off the list were Miele and Gaggenau which represent SZ's largest competitor today. Also missing is JennAir which has mid range boxes and a built in line that is well built if not sexy. They were the first to pioneer the variable speed compressor you mentioned, which is the future. Liebherr is also not represented, another GW darling. Their Dishwasher chart and advice is also inaccurate when assessing the high end models.
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kat_ofhb
16 years ago
JennAir??? At that point I'd be looking at Thermador!
subcultures10
16 years ago
Whats wrong with the range? Is the oven not working? Is it not getting up to temp? Is one side working & not the other? Most people don't know is that the bake part of the oven takes 2 ignitors to work properly. The top part/broil only has one. These parts are cheap enough for you to do on your own for probably around 125-150$ for both ignitors, and probably take you 20-30mins to do. Need anymore info drop me a message!
ccalmonte_comcast_net
15 years ago
Hello...

not sure if this is the right thread to post this question. I too have a Viking range (VGSC30" that I bought a few months ago. It works fine but the oven keeps re-igniting every so often (5 mins.) It gets to the correct temperature and the light and burner goes off and then after a couple of mins. it clicks on again. It constantly does that...not sure if that's normal or not.

my partner says its normal because the temperature in the oven goes down so it clicks back on to get back to the correct temperature. I understand that but does it have to do it so quickly. I'm worried that the oven door seal is broken. I don't feel any substantial heat "escaping" from the door though.

Any thoughts? I'd hate to spend the money for a service call if its just me worrying but then again this is an expensive piece of appliance so I want to make sure that its working properly.

Thanks in advance!

Charles
weissman
15 years ago
It's normal - it reaches the set temperature - then shuts off - when the temperature drops a certain amount, the thermostat turns it back on again - you don't want it dropping too much between cycles or you won't have a consistent temperature.
ccalmonte
15 years ago
whew!

thanks now I can continue to enjoy using the oven!

thanks weissman!
sash
15 years ago
Viking is truely junk!!! My viking oven and cooktop have caused much suffering at my house. The oven is ALWAYS broken. As soon as one thing is fixed something else breaks. The only good part of the viking is the name plate and the oven shelves - the only 2 things that are made properly.
motoman1962
11 years ago
Our 30 inch Viking gas oven is not getting up to temp it seems, we replaced the ignitors and still the burners come on but cycle off again before the temp is correct. Everything else seems to be working correctly, anyone know what role the probe in the back of the oven plays? it goes directly to the thermostat/oven control knob.
barryv_gw
11 years ago
motoman1962, I don't know what model oven you have but usually the thermostat has a sensor in the oven cavity that looks like a piece of steel rod that is about an 1/8 ' in diameter. I could not find a wiki on it, but below is a picture of the system - the rod is attached by a strand of tubing that goes right to the control knob - and when a defined temperature is reached, it completes a circuit. The thermostat itself may have an adjustment on it, or you may need to adjust the knob or the indicator around the knob so that it reads correctly.

Here is a link that might be useful: thermostat
doug_gb
11 years ago
I replaced my Viking oven igniters after about 5 years. You don't need genuine Viking parts for this.

If you're a little handy with wires it's easy. The oven has two igniters and I think they were about $40-$50 a piece.

When there were standing pilots, there was no need for igniters. It's a fact of life that these things fail after a while.

This link contains a video on how to replace them, and to purchase.

Here is a link that might be useful: Viking oven igniter replacement
llaatt22
11 years ago
Anyone with an expensive gas range should have enough smarts to realize that ignitors are consumables and should be ordered some fine day and kept as rainy day spares. There is also the factor that there is not a little man back at the ignitor factory just eagerly waiting to build the one ignitor you need yesterday. Production runs have their own logic and efficiency and it is much more pleasant to be patiently awaiting the arrival of something that is only a precaution than screaming at heaven for weeks or months on end over a critical back ordered part for a crippled range.
Jumpilotmdm
11 years ago
Is Viking made by GM????
fitzroylou
8 years ago
Just found this thread as I also have a Viking gas range which is hopeless on so many levels. Bought 2008 and have had the oven thermostat replaced twice already with a third one on the way. Somehow, Viking seem to think it is perfectly normal to spend $300 a pop every couple of years doing this. It's junk.
HU-82050953
4 years ago
I can honestly understand why someone could enter Viking headquarter (wherever it is) and shoot the place up. Frustration beyond imagination. Have gotten Used to constant ticking whenever using stove. But never realized (until a really important cake) that the thermostat in oven has no rhyme or reason. put a digital thermometer inside and actually watched the inaccuracies of this piece of garbage. Had a similar frustrating experience with an LG top loading washer. Many local techs had come out (machine was only 2 years old). One said would cost more to replace some computer piece. After research, found out there was a recall. I’m convinced same for this Viking crap. But no one will tell me. Anyone know?
greatwitch
3 years ago
Well,I’m scared. We just moved from house with a 21 year old JennAir self cleaning that never gave me a moment’s trouble to a house with existing 15 year old Viking. We have already replaced two igniters in one of the two ovens but heat is still unevenly distributed in it and other oven as well. I can swap the Viking for the Jenn Air. I need help deciding. ?
PRO
Anouk properties
2 years ago
I too have had a long list of issues with my Viking range. I am fairly handy for a girl and have replaced igniters myself and now about to attempt to replace the thermostat. You tube usually helps me figure out appliance repair but I can’t find anything on a thermostat for VGIC365. The ignitors weren’t a big deal on the burners- not sure id attempt the oven ones- I keep the repair man on speed dial for this thing though. When I can afford a $10k wolf I’ll happily ditch it.
lenasirsiris
last year
I really hate my viking stove! i wish i never purchased i have had to buy so many parts over the years for it the igniters go every few years and i cant even buy the parts in Canada had to buy them in the states and pay US dollar, custom fees! i finally recently found them on amazon! but they break even quicker!
HU-844843275
last year
Ditto all the problems but unlike most, we love our little 4 burner Viking. I'd get another one. It looks great, perfectly sized for our kitchen, flush with the counters, heats a giant stock pot in minutes. I justify it by telling myself it's like an exotic car in which high performance comes with high maintenance. I'm sure that since my pervious ranges were standard Tappan and Kenmore junk sets the tone. I don't have any other high end range experience to compare it to. Bought around 2003, I have replaced the oven ignitors numerous times (don't pay someone to do this - 15 minute easy job), replaced the door hinges, replaced the burner ignitor. Now the oven floor pan is separating from it's underside heat-sink thing. Haven't takled that one yet. Still like it, just wish Viking would back up it's products like some other companies do. ex: Kohler - they are incredibly good.
Caroline Hamilton
last year
9th year of a Viking stove, double oven and microwave and zero issues.
pritipatelqwe
last year
My brand new Viking Downdraft from Appliances Connection is not going to fit my project. If anyone here is waiting for a Viking Downdraft and a blower, I can sell them to you. I know they are currently on backorder.
dcarendt
last year
last modified: last year
For anyone having issues with oven etc. I'd recommend checking wiring for a short. We had issues with the IR burner for years, replaced parts, still re-occured, took off side pannel and noticed one of the wires was crimped in the corner where it ran from the DSI board (which controls IR and oven) to the ignitor causing a short. re-routed the wire and encased it in wire insulation, and so far no re-occurance, range still running since 2007
HU-412623030
4 months ago
Have had same problem…..additionally, not many know howvto fix with any reliability. Third time for me….the frustration majes it not worth it…life’s too short!
swiss_chard_fanatic
4 months ago
I see this is an old thread but someone is currently having the same issue as OP.

Based upon the research I've done about 3 years ago into different brands, Wolf is the best-designed and the best quality in its price category, and at that time it was cheaper than Viking. I do not know what current prices are so I'm not sure if that still holds true.

From what I could tell, Wolf is much better designed than Viking. I've also noticed when shopping for used Wolf stoves vs used Viking stoves that Wolf holds its value very well, whereas Viking does not, so that should say something right there.
lenasirsiris
4 months ago
Yes i heard the same sbout Wolf but remember this thread goes back many years when we bought our Viking stove there was no interenet reviews nothing to let us know which stove was better you expect a product like Viking with the price tag to be a superior brand

Viking Oven Broken Again

jakkom

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