I have a smeg SUK 61 MFX cooker. The main gas ring does not light easily and if does after a while it cuts off, although the igniter works. I assume it is a faulty thermocouple. I bought a new thermocouple from smeg, but I have difficaulty getting access to the thermocouple. I removed the screws at the back hoping to remove the top but it did not work. Any suggestions please.

K Christou, January 2008

We have a different model smeg cooker but the way to rise the top/hob is to remove the cooker knobs on the from of the cooker; they just pull off. There are two small screws under the lip that secures the front panel (the bit between oven doors and hob where the knobs were) - watch out for the clear plastic bits over the oven dials on the reverse of the panel; they drop off easy. When the front panel is removed you should be able to see the two srcews that keep the front of the hob down. Remove these and the hob should open, hinged at the back.

Vincent, March 2008