Time spent in the kitchen should be filled with the sweet scent of inventive dishes, not gaseous, overbearing odours. Though the smell of gas most often is caused by an issue with the oven, it may occasionally signal a more dire problem. Continue reading to discover nine potential reasons why your current oven smells like gas and how to help resolve them, maintenance and safety tips for your oven, what to do if you have a gas leak, and more.
Causes of Gas Smell From Oven
Many of the reasons why the smell of gas may be coming from your oven are completely normal. It’s important to be aware of what can cause a gas smell from the oven, so you know how to address each situation with the attention and immediacy it deserves. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons why your oven may produce a gas smell.
Malfunctioning igniter
An oven’s igniter is what prepares the appliance to heat to your selected temperature by producing the energy that ignites the gas. It is normal to smell gas from stove when you first turn it on, however, that gaseous odour should not linger the whole time it’s running. A faulty igniter can either fail to ignite the gas at the oven’s burner, causing gas flow to stop so your oven won’t heat, or delay gas ignition, causing a temporary gas smell to emit. Contact a professional appliance technician for testing and possible replacement if you suspect your gas igniter is malfunctioning.
Gas leak
Always address a gas leak in your oven’s gas supply without hesitation. If you hear a hissing sound or notice a strong, consistent sulfur or “rotten egg” smell in or around your home, proceed with caution. A gas leak is a serious issue that can also cause headaches or make you feel lightheaded. If you suspect a gas leak is present, or you left your oven on, retreat out of your home and contact your gas company for emergency help asap.
Installation was recent
The first few times cooking with a newly installed oven can trigger some smoke or odours. When new parts, tape, a protective coating of oil that is used in the manufacturing process, or insulating materials heat up, the result can be a gaseous scent. There is however action you can take to help minimize unpleasant smells.
Empty your oven and set it to bake at 350°F for an hour. Once it’s completely cool, use a damp cloth to wipe the oven down. As you deodourize the oven, consider opening a window and avoid cooking food until the smell is neutralized. Repeat the process if your oven smells like gas still.
Burner is on
A subtle gas odour can emit after igniting a burner on a gas cooktop so make sure a burner wasn’t accidentally switched to an “on” position. If a knob is left on, your burner will continue to let out gas because the unpleasant odour is coming from the surface burner.
Bottom of oven lined with foil
Lining the bottom of your oven with aluminum foil is not recommended, even though it can be a convenient DIY option for catching spills. Aluminum foil lining can unintentionally trap food debris and block oven air vents preventing airflow which can result in improper combustion and ultimately cause unpleasant odours that may resemble gas.
This however doesn’t mean any real gas leaks are present fortunately. If you choose to use foil as your oven liner, you should only cover parts of your rack and always remove the foil once you’re done cooking. Avoid covering an entire oven rack with foil to limit the risk of facing these issues.
New paint or staining
Fumes from staining or new paint in your home can cause gas smells from oven despite the two areas seeming unrelated. The reason being is new pant or staining reacts with the burner flames on a gas stovetop which can lead to foul odours. As fresh paint fumes fade, the issue should resolve itself.
Filthy oven
Do you know the last time you cleaned your oven? If a dish recently bubbled over and spilled in your oven or it’s been a long time since you last scrubbed down the inside of your oven, the buildup of debris and food particles could be causing your oven to release a gassy smell whenever your oven heats up.
Lots of debris can burn or block gas flow in your oven, leading to unusual odours and potential issues. It’s worth taking the time to clean your oven of any debris or food splatter if you are uncertain or your last deep clean has been a while. Pay close attention to see if cleaning your oven resolves your gas odour problem.
Oven vents are blocked
Blocked oven vents could be the cause of your suspicious gas smell from oven. Inspect the inside of your oven for forgotten pans or oven mats to ensure there aren’t any objects left inside. Lookout for food residue or buildup to ensure this debris is not blocking the oven vents.
Odourant
This additive contains chemicals that produce the sulfur-like smell we associate with gas leaks. This smell can be more concentrated when your gas tanks are low depending on how often odourant is added to the supply lines by your gas company. As soon as the oven is lit however, this smell should dissipate. You likely have a gas leak if the smell persists or strengthens.
What if I Have a Gas Leak?
If you suspect you have a gas leak, turn off the oven as soon as possible. Don’t use your stove until you’re sure there’s no trace of any leaks between the stem and burner. A gas leak is dangerous and should be taken very seriously. We advise leaving your home immediately if your gas oven smells like gas, then contact your gas provider’s emergency number and call 911 while at a safe distance from your home.
On your way out, be sure not to touch any electrical switches, open windows, or use anything electric that could cause a spark —doing so could lead to an accidental shock and possibly a fire. Please do not try to find or fix a gas leak yourself. Contact the help of a trained professional!
Maintenance and Safety Tips for Your Oven
Maintenance of your gas oven is essential for preventing gas emissions. Check with your provider and manufacturer to see what sort of coverage is included with your oven.
For example, an extended warranty or a free inspection can save you from replacing the unit altogether. Gas leaks should only be diagnosed and repaired by licensed appliance technicians, yet there are basic safety precautions you should take when dealing with natural gas in your home:
- A combustible oven cleaner should never be used in a gas oven.
- A gas oven should never be used as a substitute heat source.
- Become familiar with the symptoms of overexposure to natural gas.
- Before using any hazardous items, always read the instructions, and never store chemicals in or near an oven.
- Be able to identify the location of your gas line and know how to turn off its flow if authorities recommend it.
- Don’t block the furnace vents that lead into the oven and don’t place aluminum foil or other objects on the bottom of the oven cavity.
- Ensure your kitchen and each level of your home has at minimum, one carbon monoxide detector installed.
- Evacuate your home immediately If you hear a hissing sound near a gas line.
- Gas ovens are high-risk appliances so be aware that they must be installed or repaired by a certified gas appliance technician.
- There should always be someone present to attend to an operating gas oven.
Repair Your Oven With Us Today
In any case where your oven emits the smell of gas, this should be a cause for concern. Take immediate action and always lie on the side of caution. It may be a hissing sound, the smell of rotten eggs, or no sound at all, if you smell gas when your oven is on, that could indicate leakage.
Contact our trained professionals at Alpha Tech Appliance Repair today to help keep you and your home safe from oven gas smells.
FAQ
Your oven smells like gas when preheating because when the appliance heats up, it triggers a combustion of gas at the oven’s burner. Therefore, it’s not unusual to smell a brief, faint smell of gas when you just turned your gas range’s stove or oven on. As the burner lights with a small flame at first, you could also have built-up soot, making the gas smell even stronger.
In this instance, a cleaning can help eliminate the smell. The odour should dissipate after the first few minutes of preheating however, if you notice an unpleasant scent from your oven for more than a few seconds after turning it on, there could be a gas leak. Immediate action is required.