My oven isn't working...?

Question

...and my landlord told me that I "just have to put a lighted match down by the pilot light" to get it started. Is this even safe??? I'm a little nervous about doing it. Also, how is it just going to all of the sudden work? I don't get it.

Oh yeah...and it's a gas oven.

Answer 1

It is not uncommon for a pilot light to go out once in a while. It is common practice to reach in and relight the pilot.

Now, if the pilot goes out frequently, there is something wrong and you should call your landlord and inform him the oven needs repair.

That said, I am assuming this is an older style range/oven.

Most of the newer appliances have electronic ignition. There is no standing pilot. When you turn on the oven, the gas ignites using a small spark created by the ignition circuit.

If this is a newer unit with electronic ignition that isn't working, and you landlord expects you to light the oven manually, get him on the phone and inform him this is NOT acceptable. This is not a safe practice.

Your lease should have a provision in it where the landlord has to keep supplied appliances in good working order. Make him keep his part of the contract.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Get the landlord to come up and light the pilot for you. Is it safe? The answer is most likely yes. Here's how it works.

There's a small amount of gas that's emitted from a secondary flexible tube that's the pilot you usually see. Some units have a button you push down to allow the gas to be ignited with the match. Placing a match where the pilot should be usually will relight the pilot flame. It may have gone out due to a strong breeze, is out of adjustment, or the thermo-coupler is defective.

The thermo-coupler is the small cylinder unit that's installed directly in the pilot fire. It's filled with a heat sensitive material and when heated (with the pilot fire) expands into the valve and allows the valve to open when the oven is turned on. This little part is a safety device that keeps gas from escaping and potentially causing an explosion by filling up your home and coming into contact with an ignition source. No pilot, means no safety valve open, means no dangerous gas collection in your home. Pretty neat!

When the pilot is on and you can see the small flame, the safety thermo-coupler opens the valve and when you turn on the oven allows the gas to go through to the burner and is ignited by the pilot.

When the thermo-coupler is defective however, the match may expand the mercury allowing the safety to open and the pilot to light momentarily but it will quickly go out again as the thermo-couple safety device cools.

So if you don't feel confident in relighting your oven yourself, have the landlord come up and relight the pilot and then check to make certain the oven works. If he delays and you need the oven call the gas company in your area. Many times they will come out as a free courtesy service to their customers.

On a side note, newer gas units use pilot-less ignition. These use an electric spark to ignite the gas.

Answer 3

If it's an older oven of the type that has a continuously burning pilot, it is possible that the pilot has been blown out. If you can easily see what you are doing, it should be safe to attempt to relight the pilot. A match will work, but if you are a bit nervous, pick up one of the propane type long necked BBQ/fireplace lighters and use it.

If, however, you still have doubts, try calling the gas company. Many of them provide pilot lighting services free of charge. If that fails, call the landlord again and tell him you don't know what you're doing, are afraid to try it, and ask him to show you how this time so you'll be OK with it next time!

Answer 4

Have your landlord show you exactly how to do it. Your living where you are because of the low rent. (no reputable management company would take this risk) If you don't feel comfortable lighting your oven using a match, 1)use a toaster/ portable oven, 2) ask the landlord to make the repair, or, 3)move.

Answer 5

you will be fine light the pilot but if you smell a build up of gas stop doing what you are doing call your land lord and say this if you dont come over right away I will call a repair company and give you the bill 99.9% of the time he will come over running.