Gas Range or Oven Not Working? Oven Diagnosing the Problem

Trying to repair a range is a different experience entirely from trying to repair an electric range. Not only are the physical aspects to the problem different (a gas range uses fire and combustion rather than electricity), but it can also be dangerous. If your gas range isn’t working properly, you can check a few things before you call a professional, but you must be careful troubleshooting gas range problems.

Always Be Aware of the Dangers

When a gas appliance isn’t working, the risk that it could be because of a gas leak is always present. If there is a gas leak, then you should be able to smell it in the kitchen. You shouldn’t try an appliance multiple times in a row if it’s not working, because that can vent more dangerous gas into the air.

Another dangerous problem with gas appliances is the risk of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is odorless and toxic, and you should have a detector for it somewhere in your home. You should test your detector to make sure that you’ll be alerted to this problem.

If you think that your gas range is leaking either gas or carbon monoxide at any time, call the gas company immediately. They will cut gas to your home. A bad gas appliance, leaking gas, or carbon monoxide can cause your home to explode!

Common Issues With Ranges and Ovens

Though some issues are very dangerous, some problems can also be really quite simple to fix. Here are some of the common ones:
You turn on the range, but you only hear clicking. You should immediately turn off the range. The clicking sound means gas is coming out but isn’t being ignited. Most commonly, this is just because the little cap on the top of the burner is unseated. Wait a few minutes, make sure the cap is seated properly (it should not wiggle at all), and try again.
None of the burners work. If none of the burners are working, the gas could possibly have been turned off. Check the gas line in the back of the oven or range and make sure the gas is turned on. If it is, but the burners do not work, then you shouldn’t persist. The gas could be leaking and not getting to the appliance.
Your oven is not turning on or heating. This can be an ignition element issue. If you look into the oven and it hasn’t ignited, it likely needs some form of repair. This could include replacing the pilot, burner, or filament.
The oven is heating, but not to the right temperature. This could just mean that your temperature sensor inside of the oven is broken. If you look at the oven and it has ignited as is correct, then this is likely the problem.

If you need parts for your oven, a repair center can order them in. Most ovens and ranges have very specific parts.

More Dangerous Issues With Ranges and Ovens

Some problems are more dangerous than others. These include:
Nothing inside of the oven or range works. If the oven and range is on (there is a time on the display), but absolutely nothing on it works, it could very well be a gas leak or something inside of the appliance itself leaking.
The range or oven works too well. If the appliance ignites at too high a temperature, more gas could be coming out than really needs to. This could be a fire hazard.
The range is glowing red rather than blue. The fire in your range should always glow blue. Red fire means that it may not be using all of the gas, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you aren’t feeling confident about your ability to diagnose your gas range or oven, you should call a professional immediately. Call Art Adams Appliance today to schedule an appointment.