With more than 40% of homes in America having a gas stove, there is no doubt about how popular gas stoves are as a cooking appliance. They are very efficient, fast, and usually tend to cook better than their electric counterparts. However, regardless of how good they might be, there are a number of common gas stove problems that gas stove owners have to deal with every once in a while.
Here are 8 of the most common gas stove problems and how to fix them:
1. The gas stove flame goes out all the time
The gas stove flame going out can be caused by many different factors.
If the pilot light is out, your gas stove will struggle to keep a flame for a long time. The burners might also be clogged which prevents the gas from reaching the flame and so it’ll keep going out.
A gas stove flame needs three essential components to be present to produce a flame: gas, heat, and oxygen. If one or more of these components are absent for an extended period of time, the flame will eventually go out.
Solution: Check if there’s enough gas left in your tank or if there’s something blocking the supply.
2. Gas stove Pilot light keeps going out
Pilot lights are usually used to ignite a gas stove. They are the first things that turn on when you turn the stove on. They are usually located beneath the gas stove burners, however their location changes depending on the manufacturer.
The gas stove pilot light may keep going out for various reasons however, the most common reason is dirt and residue build-up.
Solution: Give your pilot light a thorough clean to solve this issue.
Read more about how to fix a gas stove pilot here
3. Flame is too low even though it is set to the level you desire
This problem is typically caused by a low gas supply.
If your gas tank levels are still good, then It’s possible that there is something in the gas line preventing proper flow to your flame.
The most common cause of this issue is a blockage in the gas line or the burners. This can be caused by sediment build-up, a kink in the line, or even by foreign objects like dust.
Solutions
- Turn off your gas stove first.
- Clean your gas stove burners
- Check if your gas tank levels are high enough.
- Check for any kinks or curves or if there’s something blocking your gas line.
- Call in a professional to help you out.
4. Gas smell in house after a pan has been used on stove for cooking
The smell of natural gas in the house can be unsettling for any homeowner. It is important to take steps to find the source of the smell and eliminate it as soon as possible. Make sure to turn off any stovetop burners or ovens that are used before leaving home.
Solution: The best solution for this kind of problem is to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. This will help you detect any gas leaks beforehand.
5. Loose/misaligned gas stove Knob
Loose/misaligned knobs can be a nightmare due to the fact that there is no visual cue or feedback mechanism for the gas stove user to know exactly what heat level they are cooking at.
In the case of a knob that must be rotated continuously to maintain desired heat level on a burner, the lack of control can cause frustration and feelings of insecurity.
Solution: Reach out to your appliance installer to see if they can have the knob fixed or replaced for you.
Make sure not to use your stove until it is fixed.
6. The Gas burner Keeps Clicking
The clicking sound from your gas burner is normal when you first light the gas stove, however, if the igniter keeps clicking, then there’s a good possibility that the gas burner might be clogged with debris.
Solution: Give your burners a thorough wash to solve this issue.
7. Noisy or flickering flame
A noisy flame on a gas stove suggests that either too much air/wind or too much gas is aiming at the burner.
Solutions
When it comes to dealing with wind, make sure your gas stove is not placed in an area where there’s too much wind like a window or door.
Excess gas flow can be quite dangerous so be sure to turn off your gas stove and call in a professional to assess your gas stove.
8. Gas stove flame turning yellow
This can be a sign that the gas is running low or the flame is not getting enough oxygen. Again, it could be that the gas burners are clogged and thus prevent enough gas from reaching the flame and thus making it yellow.
Solution:
Check if there’s enough gas in your gas tank
Unclog and give your gas burners a thorough clean
Check if your pilot light is working well
Read more about how to fix a yellow flame on a gas stove here:
Precautions to prevent gas stove problems:
Take the following steps to minimize the possibility of having issues with your gas stoves:
- Install a carbon monoxide detector in your kitchen so you’re able to detect gas leaks early
- Regular cleaning of your gas stove will keep it working for a long time
- Regularly unclog your burners to keep them in good working condition
- Have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen so you’re able to put out small fires
- Be careful not to pour greasy foods on your stovetop and be sure to clean them immediately if you do
- Periodically have a licensed technician inspect your gas stove and pipe lines to make sure they are in good health
- Try not to fix complex issues yourself if you’re not a technician as this might actually reduce the longevity of your stove
- Be sure to only purchase manufacturer certified spare parts
- Make sure that you always turn off the gas supply before you leave the house or go outside for any period of time.
- Be sure to limit children’s access to your gas stove
- Avoid using abrasive chemicals when cleaning your gas stove as this might lead to faster aging of your stove top and burners.
Should I opt for an electric stove instead?
Well, it depends on your use cases, however, most people prefer gas stoves for their efficiency, ease of operation, and how fast they cook.
Electric stoves do come with a lot of advantages too, however, they could be more expensive to operate and maintain in the long run.
If you’re the type that loves to cook perfect recipes, then you’ll find that a gas stove will most certainly be better the better option, it’s for this reason that most chefs prefer gas stoves to electric ones.
Many modern gas stoves from reputable brands eliminate most of the problems we’ve discussed above so there’s a good chance there’ll be little to worry about for the most part.
Read more about the pros and cons of electric stoves vs gas stoves
So which stove brands should I consider to avoid gas stove problems
Buying a stove? You’d want to buy a stove from a manufacturer with a good reliability record.
With proper maintenance and cleaning, buying from any of these brands will help minimize gas stove reliability issues.
Here are some of the most reliable gas stove manufacturers:
- Samsung
- LG
- GE
- Bosch
- KitchenAid
- Whirlpool
FINAL WORDS
Most common gas stove problems are a result of either poor installation or improper maintenance.
As is the case with most appliances, proper maintenance and regular cleaning of your gas stove will go a long towards prolonging its longevity and limiting problems that might occur with it.
Improper maintenance of a gas stove could potentially lead to a fire and explosion, so be sure to take the right measures to keep your stove in good working condition.