Just moved into an old place.. OVEN question

[nebs]

I've always had an electric stove/oven... I've had a few instances of using a gas stove-top but never a gas OVEN.

What the hell man... I turn it on and hear clicks but nothing happens. Am I supposed to fish around in there with a lighter???

At this point I seem to have to use a lighter/match to light the burners on top, which is fine, but sticking half my body inside an oven with a lighter just doesn't seem right.

Please help... I'm used to turning a knob on an electric and my oven is hot in a few minutes.

 

[6th]

Sounds like a very old oven, nebs.....old, like me.

1st....never, never use a lighter to light your oven or stovetop. We are talking butane here. It explodes.

2nd...yes, the ticking you hear indicates that either the automatic pilot is not working, or (and more realistically) there is no automatic pilot.

3rd...you need to use a match to light the pilot in your oven, just as you light the pilot on your stovetop.

4th...go and get what is called "kitchen matches." They are wooden matches that are about 1 1/2 to 2 inches long. You want to use wooden matches instead of a "pack" of matches because the will stay lit longer if needed for lighting the oven.

 

[HndsmCelt]

you have an electric ignitor for the oven and it is out. Call a repair guy and it will probably cost between 50 and 100. In the end though if you like to cook you will love gass. Electric stoves just are not the same.

 

[Variant]

Yep, lots of people like gas. Sounds like your pilot light went out or something.

 

[nebs]

Thanks for the replies!

Even though the top burners will light (with match assistance), I have yet to stick anything flamable inside the oven, you think it may be the pilot light in there?

 

[nebs]

OK I just experimented and noticed that my two back burners will light automatically if I flip them on.. and the front ones will not (unless I light them myself) and the oven is still in question.

Do I need a professional?

 

[6th]

OK I just experimented and noticed that my two back burners will light automatically if I flip them on.. and the front ones will not (unless I light them myself) and the oven is still in question.

Do I need a professional?

I would suggest yes, at this point.

 

[nebs]

Hehe, thanks, 6th I really appreciate your help and I think you may be right from your initial post. I got the oven to work, the back burners light on demand, the front ones though, still only light with a match. Weird.

 

[GoGoGadget]

Hehe, thanks, 6th I really appreciate your help and I think you may be right from your initial post. I got the oven to work, the back burners light on demand, the front ones though, still only light with a match. Weird.

If the back burners are lighting without a match, the front ones should too. I'd have it looked at just to be on the safe side.

Might still be a pilot problem. I've got a 1930's Wedgewood gas stove and the sucker has five pilot lights.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Gas stoves for all intents and purposes come in 2 types. Old fashond ones with pilot lights and more modern ones that have electric ignitors that individualy spark (there by ignighting the gas) for each burner and for the oven. If you are not sure if yours is an electric lighter or old style with pilot you may lift the stove top and look inside. Traditionally electric ignitors require you turn the knob all the way conter clockwise and there will be click of the ignitor then you reduce the flame. The Oven in an electric ignitor will have 2 knobs one that sets to Oven, Broil, clean and off... the second know sets the temp. BOTH need to be set for the oven to self light.

It sounds like you have a self lighting stove and either the knob is still set for off OR the ignitor is bad. Unless you are prety handy you might want to call some one. If you know you have an old style sotve with pilots you might see if the Gas company will send a guy out to check/light your pilot.

 

[VF21]

OK I just experimented and noticed that my two back burners will light automatically if I flip them on.. and the front ones will not (unless I light them myself) and the oven is still in question.

Do I need a professional?

Call PG&E, whom I assume is your natural gas provider. They will come out and inspect your stove/oven and, if necessary, light the pilot for the oven for you.

You do NOT want to fool around with this yourself.

 

[nebs]

Yes yes.. PG&E shall recieve a call. Thanks for all the input.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Call PG&E, whom I assume is your natural gas provider. They will come out and inspect your stove/oven and, if necessary, light the pilot for the oven for you.

You do NOT want to fool around with this yourself.

Spoken like someone who has never tried to repair a hot watter heater with vice grips and duct tape