How to Turn on a Gas Oven

There are certain things you need to know before you can turn on your gas oven. Some of these include safety precautions and how to check if your oven is receiving enough power. If your oven is not receiving the right amount of power, there are several things you can do to fix it. These include replacing the igniter.

Safety precautions

When using a gas oven, it is important to follow safety precautions. Unattended stoves can be a threat to your home and family. Gas cookers release carbon monoxide into your home when they are not turned off. It is a very dangerous substance that can be deadly.

In order to keep your home safe, you should register your stove online. This will give you a number to call if your oven develops a problem. Also, you will be able to contact the manufacturer to find out if your oven is safe.

You should keep flammable materials like cleaning rags and dish towels away from the burner. Keep your kitchen area free of clutter and unused items. Children should also be kept away from the kitchen.

Checking if the oven is receiving power

If you have a gas oven, it is important to make sure that it is receiving power. A malfunctioning thermostat or tripped breaker could prevent the machine from heating. So how do you know if the oven is getting power?

oven
Image by Unsplash+

The first step in checking if the oven is getting power is to check the terminal block. This is located on the back of the machine and it is where the main power cord connects to the oven circuitry.

You can test the voltage in your oven with a multimeter. For starters, you should be looking for a reading of between 210 and 240 volts.

The multimeter also should be able to tell you if the element is actually heating. Check for any signs of burnt wires or terminals. It may also be helpful to take the time to remove the racks and check the igniter.

Checking if the outlet is delivering enough voltage

If you have a gas oven, it is important to check if the outlet is delivering enough voltage to ignite the gas. This can be done with a multimeter.

Aside from a working heating element, you should check for a clock, digital display, and any other indication that the receptacle is getting power. You should also check if the receptacle is tripped. It’s a good idea to do this before attempting repairs.

An outlet tester is the best way to test an electrical receptacle. Most inspectors will use a tester to test for standard three-wire outlets. They are simple to use and are ideal for checking breakers that have not been mapped.

The splice, or connection between the neutral and the upstream outlet, should be checked. A damaged or broken splice will cause bad connections and may prevent your appliance from being turned on.

Replacing a faulty igniter

If you have trouble with your oven not turning on, it may be that the igniter needs to be replaced. The igniter is a metal component that resembles a one-two inch module that is covered with an open grid metal cage. When it is plugged into the oven, it glows hot to ignite natural gas.

To replace the igniter, you will first need to shut off the power to the appliance. You can do this by unplugging the cord or circuit breaker. Afterward, you will need to remove the racks to access the burner.

woman holding brown spatula
Photo by Le Creuset on Unsplash

Depending on the manufacturer, the heating element may be tucked inside the back of the oven. Once you have removed the racks, you can pull out the igniter and the base plate.

Cooking different foods at the same time

The kitchen is a beast of a beast but there is something to be said for multitasking. It’s a fact that the modern day cook can be a slacker, but it’s no fun if he or she is stuck in a kitchen for hours on end. A good recipe or two can go a long way, but that’s where the aforementioned frugality comes into play. There’s nothing worse than a hungry family or friends. Of course, you can’t expect to feed all of them on a tight schedule, but a well timed dinner party with a glass of bubbly or two will do the trick. This is especially true when the weather is in the 70s. In the heat of the moment, you’ll find your kitchen temperature soaring in no time at all.