Gas stoves will come in different forms and sizes from different manufacturers, however, most of them will function the same way and may only differ in aesthetics or design.
Many older gas stoves will have a pilot light, which is a small gas flame that serves as an ignition source for larger and powerful gas burners and ovens.
Recently, some gas stove manufacturers have replaced the pilot light with electrical igniters.
Today will look at what might cause a pilot to fail, and share steps on how to fix a pilot light on a gas stove.
What is a pilot light?
A pilot light is a type of gas burner that comes on when you turn on the stove. The pilot light heats up a small metal tube in the center of the stove. The lit tube heats up and produces a flame that can then help to heat your food.
A pilot light is basically an electric or gas-powered lamp that can be used to ignite another flame – usually in order to heat something (such as air, food, or water). It is typically used for cooktop stoves, gas ovens, or furnace heating systems.
Pilot lights are important because they reduce energy costs by providing constant warmth without requiring continuous monitoring.
Where is the Pilot light located?
The pilot light is usually located beneath the burners, typically at the front. You may be able to find it by using a flashlight and looking for a small flame or burner below the surface of your gas stove.
Many manufacturers will add the label “pilot light” next to it. In some appliances, it can be found on the bottom of the stove/oven, near the door opening, or in the back corner.
If you still can’t find it, then it’s probably located in the broiler compartment.
It’s best however that you refer to your appliance’s manual to confirm where exactly the pilot light on your stove may be located.
How to fix a pilot light on a gas stove?
Gas stoves need a pilot light to stay continuously on to be able to automatically ignite. When you have not manually turned off the pilot light and it goes off, it is easy to check where the problem is.
More often than not, a pilot light is pretty easy to fix.
Follow these steps to diagnose what may be causing your pilot light to malfunction and how to fix a pilot on a gas stove:
1. Check if the pilot light has been switched off manually
A quick diagnosis is required to establish where the problem may lie.
The first thing you can check is whether the pilot light has been switched off manually, the second thing is to check and reposition the gas stove if it has been moved or if the tip of the pilot light has been blocked, three things.
2. Loose Connections or Repositioning
Another problem might be the parts like wires and tubes connecting the igniter. These could be loose and may need replacing in some cases.
Loose connections may happen during moving or installations or for a host of other reasons. If you establish that this is the case, check to see if the wires which connect the igniter are making a connection, are loose, or are disconnected.
Fix these connections and reignite the burner or oven to test if it will properly light.
Sometimes the gas stove may not be positioned properly or may have tilted when moving the stove, causing it to modify the gas flow. You may need to reposition your gas stove for you to have a steady gas supply.
3. Clogged or dirty pilot light
Dirt and food debris may accumulate on the tip of the pilot light and close it off.
Follow these steps to diagnose and clean your pilot light:
How to clean a pilot light on a gas stovetop:
Sometimes food particles and dirt may accumulate on the tip of the pilot light and block it off. When this occurs, clean up the tips using soap and a small brush:
- Switch off the gas and remove the range top so that you can see the pilot lights.
- Next, remove the small cover and clean any food debris that may be visible. You may use soap and water to clean. Just make sure that you do not pour a lot of water and fill out the tube.
- Use a needle or a straight long pin to clean the tip of the burner holes. Dry the range, with a dry soft cloth and switch the gas back on.
- Light the gas hole in the pilot light and now it should light. If it does not light, check to confirm whether you still have your gas supply turned on.
- After turning on the gas supply and still nothing works, you may need to call an appliance technician to establish if you have a bigger problem.
How to clean a pilot light on a gas oven:
At the back of the oven in the boiler compartment is where you will find the pilot light on most gas ovens. Some models may have electric igniters which can be recognized by a clicking sound when it is turned on.
- Open the oven and remove the cover plate to determine if your oven has a pilot light.
- Clean the tip of the pilot tube using a straight long pin by following the steps previously highlighted for the gas stove and try lighting it again.
- Turn on the thermostat knob anticlockwise and push it in while you light the pilot tube with a lighter and hold it in for a few seconds until the pilot lights.
- If it doesn’t light up, you may need to check whether the igniter is faulty, has cracked, and needs replacing. A faulty igniter will spark a yellow and orange flame instead of a blue flame.
- If you push the thermostat knob in for a few minutes and the pilot light fails to stay lit, you may need to check the thermocouple, which may not be working properly. They may be too far off or need replacing.
- If you try these options but the pilot light does not stay lit, you may need to call in a professional appliance technician.
It is important to regularly clean up your gas appliance to prevent the build-up of food debris. This will minimize the probability of tubes and burner blockage.
If you have tried the above steps but still, your pilot light work is not working, it is time to call in a professional to come and examine the problem that you may be dealing with.
FINAL WORD
As a gas stove owner, there are chances that at one time during the life cycle of your gas stove, you may experience inconveniences in one way or the other.
It is also not surprising that your gas stove may fail you especially when you are solely dependent on it, for example, when cooking for your family and friends during Thanksgiving, or birthday parties.
This does not mean that the gas stove is not dependable, most of them are, but it is important to have some knowledge on what to do in case a small problem like this occurs.
So there you have it, a complete guide on how to fix a pilot light on a gas stove. Did these steps help you? Let us know down below if they did.