Having a gas stove can be quite beneficial in that it can help you reduce your energy bill, give you better temperature control when cooking and more. However, when it is time to bring out your chef’s hat and your burner doesn’t light, that can put a real damper on your dinner party. If you are having trouble with your gas burner, here are some tips to help you out.

Find the Problem Then the Solution

It should go without saying that you must first know the reason for your burner not lighting in order for you to fix it. Here are some possible issues and troubleshooting tips you should consider:

• Check to see if all of the burners are failing to light
• The burner emits gas when you turn it on
• See if the control lockout (if applicable) is on
• The burners have recently been cleaned or gotten wet
• Your vent has a downdraft
• The ports on the burner are clogged
• You hear clicking even when the burner is turned off

All of the Burners Fail To Light

If you notice that none of your burners are lighting, you should make sure your stove is hooked up to a gas line. If you are in fact connected to your gas, make sure the shutoff valve is turned on. Otherwise, you should call a contractor who does in-home repair service for all major brand stoves, and have them connect it for you.

You Hear the Gas but It Doesn’t Light

If you turn on the burner and can hear the gas, make sure the knob is turned all the way into the correct position. If the knob is not aligned with the ignite position, you might experience this issue where the gas is coming out of the burner without the flame. If this is the case, turn off the gas immediately as it could be dangerous.

Check the Control Lockout

If your range has a control lockout feature, make sure this is not activated. When the control lockout is engaged, it will prevent gas from being supplied to the stove. If this is the case, simply hold the lock key for approximately 3 seconds, and you should hear a long tone along with seeing the light go off.

Your Burners Are Wet

Whether it be from a spill or a cleaning, if your burners are still wet, they will probably not light. Of course, they will have to dry completely before you can turn your burners on properly. If you want to speed this process up, you can use a hair dryer on the cool setting.

Your Vent Has a Downdraft

While the type of vent you have doesn’t typically matter when your range is electric, the direction of the draft can surely affect your gas burner’s ability to light properly. In order to fix this issue, you can try reducing the speed on your vent or increase the setting on your burner’s flame.

Your Burner’s Ports Are Clogged

If food debris gets inside of your burner’s ports, it can prevent them from being able to ignite. You can fix this by using a straight pin to help dislodge any food particles.

There are a number of reasons why your burners might not seem to be working; however, many of these issues are easy fixes that you can take care of on your own. However, if you are having issues with your gas line or are unsure of what the problem could be, you should schedule an appointment with a professional. When you hire a contractor that is well-versed in dealing with all types of ranges, they will more than likely be able to solve your issue.