Gas ovens are gaining popularity due to their quick heating capabilities and the ability to continue using them during power outages. However, these cooking appliances are not immune to damages and may require repairs.
However, prior to contacting a service provider and incurring the cost of hiring a professional to resolve your issue, it is advisable to attempt a few simple solutions that may prove effective.
Common solutions for a gas oven that refuses to ignite are:
Removing leftover food and grime
Fixing an ignitor
Repairing or substituting a defective ignitor switch
Repairing loose wire connections
Fixing the safety valve of the gas oven
Resolving problems related to the circuit breaker
Verifying the gas supply
How to Fix Broken Gas Ovens
The primary reasons for gas ovens failing to ignite are:
Excessive food debris
Defective igniter or switch for the igniter
There may be a loose connection to the ignition mechanism
Thankfully, there are remedies available to assist with nearly all of these problems.
Fixing Excessive Food Debris
As a food appliance, it’s not surprising that gas ovens can become obstructed with leftover food from spills or other cooking accidents, but fortunately, this issue can be easily resolved by applying some physical effort to eliminate the grease.
There are several solutions you can try to resolve the issue of a gas oven that won’t stay lit:
Take off the burner grate by either lifting it off gently or loosening the screws that secure it in place.
Clean any food debris present on the grates by using a sponge dipped in warm soapy water and keep them aside to dry.
To take off the burner cap, you can either unscrew the screws that are attached to it or lift it off the burner gradually.
Clean the vicinity by using a washcloth or dish towel that has been soaked in warm, soapy water.
If the burner is heavily soiled with food debris and the previous cleaning method did not work, an alternative way to clean it is by immersing it in a solution of warm water and vinegar to loosen the dirt, making it easier to remove using a brush or sponge.
If you find any residual food particles, use a toothpick to remove them and dispose of it properly before reassembling the appliance, which should resolve the issue of the gas oven not staying lit; however, if this solution fails, there may be an underlying problem with a loose connection.
The ignitor is responsible for igniting the flames and producing heat in the oven. In case of a faulty ignitor, the gas may not reach its intended location or the sparks may fail to catch and ignite the flames.
One quick method to determine if the ignitor is defective and requires replacement is to switch off the lights and turn the oven’s control knob to ignite. The ignitor should produce a bright blue or bluish-white spark, but if it generates a yellowish-orange spark, then it necessitates replacement.
If you need to repair the ignitor of your gas oven, make sure to turn off the power first. Utilize a screwdriver to detach the base from the burner and then disconnect the wires from the ignitor. There is no need to be concerned about cutting any wires as many ignitors have a quick disconnect mechanism.
If the ignitor or switch is not working properly, it should be replaced. To find the appropriate ignitor for your gas oven, you need to identify the brand and model number of your appliance, and then purchase and install the necessary part.
Loose Connection Repairs
The gas oven is powered by wires that connect the ignitor to the control mechanism, and if any of these wires become loose during installation or cleaning, it can prevent the oven from lighting up.
The process of resolving this issue is slightly more intricate:
To begin with, turn off the power supply to the oven to avoid any risk of electrocution or causing additional damage to the oven; this can be achieved by either unplugging it from the wall or switching off the breaker.
Afterward, take off the grate and burner cover as you would during cleaning to remove food debris, then detach the sealed burner base and examine it for any loose wires or connections.
Reconnecting any loose wires or connections to the ignition and control mechanism can fix the issue, followed by reinstalling everything and turning it on.
If your gas oven continues to malfunction, the next step would be to seek assistance from the manufacturer’s support team as it may require expert repairs.
Although the aforementioned problems can be significant factors in causing issues with your oven, there are other factors that can also impede its proper functioning.
Oven Safety Valve Issues
The oven safety valve, also referred to as the gas valve, is responsible for ensuring that gas is not released into the oven until the igniter reaches the necessary temperature to ignite it. If there are any problems with this component, it can prevent gas from being released, leading to a failure in ignition.
Gas ovens that won’t stay lit can be one of the most complicated issues to resolve. The process of fixing this problem involves several steps:
To fix a gas oven that won’t stay lit, it is important to first turn off the power and wait for it to cool down completely by unplugging it from the wall.
To take out the safety valve, begin by taking off the oven racks and the lower panel of the oven. You can accomplish this by either lifting it from the back or unscrewing it.
Next, using a screwdriver, take off the flame spreader located on top of the oven.
Afterward, detach the oven burner by unscrewing the screw located at its foremost part and taking it out of the gas intake line to ensure that the oven remains cool during the repair of the oven safety valve.
Move the access panel to the side, located at the back of the oven.
Detach the two wires connected to the valve and the gas line linked to it.
Be cautious when removing the oven safety valve and use a multimeter set to Rx1 to check its terminals for a reading between 0-50 ohms of resistance, indicating that it doesn’t need replacement.
When replacing the oven valve, insert the “orifice” tube of the safety valve into the same opening at the back of the oven where the old valve was located, connect the gas line to the new safety valve, and secure it onto the oven wall; if issues persist, seek assistance from your brand and model’s repair support.
Circuit Breaker Issues
On occasions, the complication may not be gas-related, but rather due to a malfunctioning or damaged electrical circuit that supplies power to the oven.
Although gas ovens rely on gas for heat production, they require electrical power to ensure the proper functioning of the timer and other crucial features. If the circuit breaker is faulty or malfunctioning, the oven will fail to ignite.
To repair a faulty circuit breaker, the process involves:
To prevent any electrical injuries, it is important to disconnect your gas oven from its power source.
If the circuit breaker trips immediately after turning off the power, it indicates a problem with the wiring in your home or the breaker box, which requires the assistance of an electrician to resolve.
If not, then just swapping out the circuit breaker should solve the problem.
Detach the wire from the terminal of the faulty breaker using a screwdriver and place it aside.
Use a screwdriver or a small set of pliers to carefully remove the old breaker.
Insert the replacement circuit breaker into the panel.
Gas Supply Issues
It is uncommon to encounter problems with a gas oven, but it could be due to insufficient supply of liquid propane gas or natural gas, which may be running low or not reaching the oven properly.
Typically, the primary reason for gas ovens failing to stay lit is the shutdown of the main gas valve during repairs or replacement of other faulty components in the oven.
To resolve the issue of a gas oven that won’t stay lit, it is essential to examine both the primary gas valve and any valves present on the oven to ensure they are switched on and functioning correctly.
Nonetheless, in case you have recently undergone an oven repair or replacement, it is plausible that the gas valve on the supply pipe has not been reactivated. If the inspection of the gas supply indicates no problems, then there might be some complications with the gas igniter.
Final Thoughts
If your gas oven won’t stay lit, you don’t have to wait for a professional to fix it. By following some straightforward instructions and using basic tools, you can avoid the inconvenience of not being able to use your oven or spending more money than necessary.
You can also check this video about “Easy Fixes to Gas Ovens That Wonât Stay Lit”
