Is a Gas Smell From Your Oven a Problem?

Anytime you smell that distinct smell of gas in your home is cause for concern. However, if you only smell it when you turn your oven on, it may not be as big of a concern. Yet, you will still need to investigate why this is happening. A gas smell coming from your gas oven isn’t normal and it can be an indicator of a problem.

When you smell gas coming from your oven, it is due to a buildup of gas in the oven tub. Typically when a gas oven ignites, enough gas is released that the igniter quickly lights it. However, if the igniter is malfunctioning or dirty, it won’t release enough gas to quickly ignite. Instead, it releases only a small amount that will actually build up in there. This will lead to the gas smell that comes out of the oven tub. Eventually, you will hear a distinct boom inside the oven tub which is the sound of the gas igniting.

What needs to happen now is the igniters need to be examined. To access these in most gas ovens, you will need to unthread the screws that secure the bottom plate. Once this cover is removed, you will have access to the igniters. You should be able to tell pretty quickly if it is dirty. If you see a lot of build-up on the igniter, this is likely the cause of your problem. However, whether you need to replace your igniters, you have the same concern. If you treat the part too roughly, it could lead to an actual gas leak.

In truth, this repair may be best left to a professional. With a professional hand, you don’t need to worry about cleaning it too roughly and they can make sure that the passage of gas is left clear so you no longer have that gas smell coming from your oven.