5 REASONS WHY YOUR GAS OVEN ISN’T HEATING UP
When creating new recipes in the kitchen or mastering your cooking techniques, the last thing you need is for your gas oven not to heat up. However, there are a few possible reasons for why your gas oven isn't heating. Follow this guide to learn more about those reasons and potential solutions.
WHAT’S THE FIRST THING TO CHECK WHEN A GAS OVEN STOPS HEATING?
The first thing to do when your gas oven stops heating is to check to see whether a circuit breaker has been tripped. If it hasn’t, you will want to inspect whether the outlet the oven is plugged into has gone bad. After ruling out these basic electrical issues, consult your owner’s manual, and check the oven burner flame by using a mirror. Insert a mirror to one side of the burner. Look into the mirror to check for a flame to see whether the heating element is lighting.
Note: When attempting to determine why a gas oven won’t heat, it is recommended to consult a licensed technician to inspect and identify the solution. Whenever you are experiencing technical difficulties, consult the KitchenAid service page. If your oven is overheating, check out our helpful guide.
5 REASONS YOUR GAS OVEN ISN’T HEATING UP
There are five possible reasons to explain why your gas oven isn’t heating up. Reviewing these issues may help you gain a better understanding of what might be causing your gas oven not to heat properly as well as potential solutions. Learn more about how to troubleshoot an oven that won’t heat up.
1. CIRCUIT BREAKER TRIPPED
Although gas ovens are powered by gas, there are still electrical components within the appliance. You can tell whether your circuit breaker has been tripped by checking your home's breaker panel. If a breaker has tripped, the switch that corresponds with the circuit that your oven is plugged into will be stuck in the middle between “On” and “Off.”
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
If you determine that a circuit breaker has been tripped, reset the breaker by pressing it back to “On” and turn your stove on. If the circuit breaker trips again, you will need to contact a professional.
2. BAD OUTLET
Similarly to the circuit breaker, a bad outlet can stop the flow of electricity from your home to your oven. When outlets go bad, they will often show signs of discoloration, such as black spots or misshapen plastic.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
A simple solution to check to see whether an outlet has gone bad is to plug another appliance into it and see whether the new appliance powers up. If it doesn’t, you will need to either plug your oven into a new outlet or contact a professional to replace the unusable one.
3. FAULTY IGNITER
In order for your gas oven to activate its heating element, it requires an igniter. When the igniter is unable to spark, it could be dirty and require a gentle cleaning to remove build up. If you suspect you have a dirty ignitor, consult the model-specific instructions in your appliance care guide.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
If your igniter is not working or is otherwise faulty, it may need to be replaced. Contacting a professional is recommended.
4. TEMPERATURE SENSOR ISSUES
Your temperature sensor is a thin tube, often located near the back of your oven. Even slight movements to this sensor can alter the way your oven functions. When positioned at a 90° angle, your oven sensor should work properly; if your temperature issues persist, you may need to replace the sensor or check your gas oven’s calibration.
It is also the case that, if a heating element is out of position (such as a sagging broil element), it may be too close to the sensor and cause incorrect temperature readings.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
To test your oven temperature sensor, hang an oven thermometer from your middle rack and preheat your oven to 350˚F. After 20 minutes have passed, remove the thermometer and see whether the temperature reads at 350˚F. If the two temperatures do not align, you may have to recalibrate your oven.
5. DISRUPTED GAS SUPPLY
If your gas oven is not heating, it could be because you do not have a steady flow of gas to power your oven. Recent stops or starts of service from your gas provider might disrupt your gas supply.
POSSIBLE SOLUTION
Because this issue is usually caused by disrupted service, check your main gas valve to see whether it is located in the “On” position. If it isn't, turn your valve on and try your oven once more. Additionally, consider contacting your provider to see whether there have been recent servicings in your area.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF A FAULTY GAS OVEN IGNITER?
Signs of a faulty gas oven igniter include visual cues like discoloration or odors, like the smell of gas. One easy way to determine whether you have a faulty gas oven igniter is to turn off your kitchen lights and turn your control knob to ignite your oven. You should see bright bluish-white sparks; if you don’t, you may have a faulty igniter.
You can try cleaning your gas oven igniter to see if grease build-up is the culprit. For cleaning instructions, consult your appliance’s use and care guide.
WHAT WOULD CAUSE A GAS OVEN NOT TO IGNITE?
Simple issues like grease or debris buildup or the age of the appliance may affect a gas oven’s ability to ignite. If replacing the igniter isn’t possible, you may need to consider purchasing a new oven.
WHERE CAN I GET REPLACEMENT GAS OVEN PARTS?
If your gas oven isn’t heating up, you can obtain oven part replacements by visiting the KitchenAid® website. Before you attempt a replacement, make sure to consult your owner’s manual to see if you can troubleshoot the problem at home. It is recommended to contact a professional to make sure you purchase the correct parts.
SHOP KITCHENAID® OVENS
Your oven is key to achieving the cooking process your recipes call for. Whether you’re looking for a wall oven with Even-Heat™ True Convection or a gas range with multiple burners, KitchenAid brand models have powerful features that allow you to test your cooking skills and push your culinary boundaries.
