How To Light A Gas Oven With A Pilot Light

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How To Light A Gas Oven With A Pilot Light

Learning how to light a gas oven with a pilot light is a simple skill that saves you a service call. Gas ovens with standing pilot lights need relighting whenever the flame goes out, whether from a draft or a power interruption.

The good news is you can usually do this yourself in a few minutes. All you need is a long lighter or a match and a bit of patience.

This guide walks you through the whole process safely. You will also learn where the pilot light lives, what to do if it wont stay lit, and when to call a pro.

What Is A Pilot Light And Why Does It Go Out?

A pilot light is a small, constant flame that burns inside your oven. It stays lit all the time so it can ignite the main burner when you turn the oven on.

Older gas ranges use this design. Newer models often use electronic ignition instead, so this guide is mainly for older stoves.

Pilot lights go out for a few common reasons:

  • A strong draft from a window or door
  • A temporary gas supply interruption
  • Moisture or dust clogging the tiny opening
  • A worn thermocouple that stops sensing the flame
  • Someone bumping the oven during cleaning

If your pilot goes out often, the thermocouple is often the culprit. That part is cheap but may need a technician to replace.

Safety Steps Before You Start

Gas is no joke, so take a minute to prep. These steps protect you and your home.

  1. Open a window or turn on a nearby fan for ventilation.
  2. Smell the air. If you notice a strong gas odor, leave the house and call your gas company right away.
  3. Turn the oven dial to the off position.
  4. Keep kids and pets away from the stove.
  5. Have a long-reach lighter or a long match ready. Never use a short match that puts your hand near the burner.
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Do not use a candle or a rolled piece of paper. Those are unsafe around gas.

How To Find The Pilot Light In Your Oven

The pilot light sits in different spots depending on your model. Check these common locations:

  • Under the oven floor, near the front left or right corner
  • Behind the bottom drawer or broiler pan
  • Near the back of the oven cavity, close to the gas line
  • Beneath the stovetop burners on some ranges

Remove the bottom drawer or oven floor panel if needed. Use a flashlight to look for a small metal tube with a tiny opening.

On many stoves, you will see two small tubes. One is the pilot, and the other feeds the main burner. The pilot is the smaller one.

Steps To Light The Oven Pilot

Follow these steps in order. Work slowly and keep your face back from the burner.

  1. Make sure the oven knob is set to off or pilot.
  2. Locate the pilot opening and the small gas valve nearby.
  3. Hold your long lighter next to the pilot opening and click it on.
  4. While the flame is there, press and hold the reset button or turn the pilot gas valve slightly open.
  5. Watch for the pilot to catch. It should light within a few seconds.
  6. Keep holding the button for 30 to 60 seconds after it lights.
  7. Release the button slowly. The flame should stay on.
  8. Turn the oven dial to a low setting to test the main burner.

If the burner lights, you are done. Close the drawer or panel and let the oven run for a minute to burn off any dust.

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What If The Pilot Wont Stay Lit?

This is the most common problem people run into. Try these fixes before giving up.

  • Hold the reset button longer, up to 90 seconds.
  • Check that the thermocouple tip sits in the flame path.
  • Clean the pilot opening with a thin wire or needle.
  • Make sure the gas valve is fully open.
  • Look for drafts that blow the flame out.

If it still goes out, the thermocouple is likely worn. A replacement is inexpensive, but installation varies by model.

Lighting A Pilot On A Standing Pilot Range Top

Some ranges have a separate pilot for the surface burners. The process is almost the same.

  1. Lift the cooktop or remove the burner grate.
  2. Find the pilot tube between the burners.
  3. Light it with a long lighter while pressing the reset button.
  4. Hold for about a minute, then release.

Test each burner to confirm the pilot ignites them properly.

When To Call A Professional

Some jobs are best left to a licensed technician. Call for help if:

  • You smell gas even after ventilating
  • The pilot lights but the oven burner never comes on
  • The thermocouple or gas valve needs replacing
  • The pilot keeps going out after several tries
  • You see damaged or frayed gas lines

A pro can diagnose the issue fast and make sure everything is safe. Do not ignore repeated problems with gas appliances.

Tips To Keep Your Pilot Light Burning

A little care goes a long way. These habits reduce how often you need to relight the oven.

  • Keep the oven area free of drafts from windows and doors.
  • Clean around the pilot opening every few months.
  • Avoid slamming the oven door, which can blow out the flame.
  • Check the pilot after any power outage or gas shutoff.
  • Schedule a yearly checkup on older gas ranges.
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If your stove is very old, you might consider a model with electronic ignition. It saves gas and removes the relighting hassle altogether.

Final Thoughts

Relighting a gas oven pilot is a task most homeowners can handle. Find the pilot, ventilate the room, and use a long lighter while holding the reset button.

Give the flame time to heat the thermocouple before you let go. If it wont stay lit, clean the opening or check the thermocouple.

And if anything smells like gas or feels unsafe, stop and call a professional. Your safety always comes first.