# Star 824TA: Used-Buy Risk, Repairs & What to Check | KitchenRisk

> Used Star 824TA buying guide, griddle thermostat risk, repair costs and what to inspect.

**Verdict:** inspect

Common entry-size thermostatic gas griddle with active OEM parts support (griddle thermostat ~$471, manual burner control valve ~$75); Star's own manual requires the standing pilots to be lit any time gas is restored and warns not to attempt lighting if a strong gas odor is present, so during inspection confirm every pilot lights and holds, every burner knob responds across the dial, and the griddle plate heats evenly end to end.

**Documented failure risks:**
- Griddle thermostat: OEM thermostat (Star 2T-Z16593, gas, 550F range) lists at $471.14 on Parts Town and is a direct-fit part on the 824TA model catalog. This is the primary temperature-regulating device on a thermostatic-control griddle ("TA" designation); a failed or drifting thermostat presents as a griddle that runs cold, overshoots, or never reaches temperature across sections controlled by that knob.
- Burner control valve: OEM manual burner control valve (Star 2V-Y8832) lists at $74.88 on Parts Town. Star's own IOM instructs operators to "turn off all knobs and pilot valves" then "turn on main valve to unit and light all pilots" during startup, and warns "DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LIGHT YOUR PILOT BURNER IF YOU EXPERIENCE A STRONG GAS ODOR" -- a failed control valve is a direct cause of a burner section that won't light, won't modulate, or won't shut off cleanly.

## Sources
- [Star 2T-Z16593 Thermostat, GS, Gas 550F | Parts Town](https://www.partstown.com/p/star/sta2t-z16593) — "data-price="471.14" data-list-price="471.14" ... <h1 class="name" itemprop="name">Star 2T-Z16593 Thermostat, GS, Gas 550F ... Manufacturer #: 2T-Z16593 ... Parts Town #: STA2T-Z16593"
- [Star 2V-Y8832 Burner Control Valve, Manual | Parts Town](https://www.partstown.com/p/star/sta2v-y8832) — "data-price="74.88" data-list-price="74.88" ... <h1 class="name" itemprop="name">Star 2V-Y8832 Burner Control Valve, Ma[nual] ... Manufacturer #: 2V-Y8832 ... Parts Town #: STA2V-Y8832"
- [Star 800 Series Gas Griddle Installation & Operation Manual (covers model 824TA)](https://www.partstown.com/modelManual/STA-Star-800-Series-Griddle-1-English_iom.pdf?v=1780089428201) — "Thermostatic Conrol Gas Griddles: 824TA thru 872TA ... 824TA 2 60,000 573 sq in (3697sq. cm) 24" (61cm) ... DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LIGHT YOUR PILOT BURNER IF YOU EXPERIENCE A STRONG GAS ODOR. ... 1. Turn off the main valve to the unit and wait 5 minutes to clear gas. 2. Turn off all knobs and pilot valves. 3. Turn on main valve to unit and light all pilots. 4. Turn burner knobs to desired position. 5. To turn burners off, turn knobs to off."

_Last verified 2026-09-20. Source: KitchenRisk — https://kitchenrisk.com/models/star-824ta/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._