Not all gas stoves have pilot lights anymore
Modern gas stoves are split between two ignition systems: pilot light and electronic ignition. A pilot light is a small, continuously burning flame that stays on all the time and ignites the burner when you turn a knob. Electronic ignition uses a spark or heating element to light the burner only when you need it. Most stoves made in the last 20 to 25 years use electronic ignition, though older stoves and some specialty models still rely on pilot lights.
The shift happened gradually through the 1990s and 2000s as manufacturers moved to electronic systems. If your stove was built before 1995, it almost certainly has a pilot light. If it was built after 2005, it almost certainly has electronic ignition. Stoves from the in-between years could be either one.
Key Takeaways
- Pilot light stoves keep a small flame burning at all times, while electronic ignition stoves spark or heat only when you turn on a burner.
- Most gas stoves made after the mid-1990s use electronic ignition instead of pilot lights.
- You can tell which system your stove has by looking inside the oven or under the cooktop for a small blue flame that stays on constantly.
- Pilot light stoves use slightly more gas because the flame burns continuously, even when no burners are in use.
- If your stove has a pilot light and it goes out, you will need to relight it by hand using a match or lighter.
How to check whether your stove has a pilot light
The easiest way is to look inside your oven without turning anything on. Open the oven door and look at the bottom back corner or along the floor of the oven. If you see a small blue flame burning steadily, your stove has a pilot light. That flame is what ignites the oven burner when you set the temperature.
For the cooktop burners, you can also look under the stove if you have access to the underside, or straightforward turn on a burner and watch what happens. With a pilot light stove, you will hear a click or see a spark briefly, then the burner lights from the existing pilot flame. With electronic ignition, you will hear repeated clicking sounds as the spark tries to ignite the gas, and the burner will light directly from that spark without relying on a standing flame.
If you are unsure, check your stove's manual or look at the model number on the back or side of the unit. Search the model number online along with "ignition type" to find the manufacturer's specifications.
Why manufacturers stopped using pilot lights
Electronic ignition systems are more energy-efficient because they do not burn gas continuously. A pilot light uses a small but steady amount of gas all day and night, even when you are not cooking. Electronic ignition only uses gas when you actually turn on a burner. Over the course of a year, this difference adds up on your gas bill.
Electronic systems are also more reliable in many situations. A pilot light can blow out if you have a strong draft, a power outage, or if the burner itself is dirty. Electronic ignition does not have this problem because there is no standing flame to extinguish. Manufacturers also found that electronic systems were cheaper to produce at scale once the technology matured, which made them the standard in new stoves.
What happens if your pilot light goes out
If your stove has a pilot light and it goes out, the oven and cooktop burners will not light at all. You will turn the knob and hear a click, but nothing will ignite because there is no pilot flame to light the gas. This is different from electronic ignition stoves, where a failed spark system usually means you hear clicking but the burner still does not light — and in that case, gas is flowing without igniting, which is a safety hazard.
To relight a pilot light, you will need a long lighter or a lit match. Most stoves have a small access hole or opening where the pilot sits. You hold the flame near the pilot opening while pressing and holding the control knob in the "pilot" or "ignite" position for 10 to 30 seconds. Once the pilot catches, you release the knob and it should stay lit. If it goes out again when ready, the thermocouple (a safety device) may be failing and you should call a repair technician.
Pilot light stoves versus electronic ignition: cost and performance
Pilot light stoves are generally cheaper to buy upfront because the ignition system is simpler and has fewer electronic parts. They also work during a power outage, since the pilot flame does not depend on electricity. However, they cost more to operate because of the continuous gas burn, and they require manual relighting if the pilot goes out.
Electronic ignition stoves cost more to purchase but less to operate. They need electricity to work, so a power outage will prevent you from lighting the burners. The spark igniters can fail over time and may need replacement, which costs $100 to $300 depending on the stove model. Pilot light thermocouples also fail eventually, so neither system is maintenance-free.
| Feature | Pilot Light | Electronic Ignition |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Operating cost | Higher (continuous burn) | Lower (spark only when needed) |
| Works during power outage | Yes | No |
| Manual relighting needed | Yes, if pilot goes out | No |
| Common repair | Thermocouple replacement | Spark igniter replacement |
Specialty stoves and pilot light availability
Some high-end and commercial-style stoves still offer pilot light ignition as an option, even though it is no longer standard. Outdoor grills and some professional kitchen equipment also commonly use pilot lights. If you are shopping for a new gas stove and prefer a pilot light system, you will have limited choices, but they do exist — you will need to ask the manufacturer or retailer specifically whether a model offers this option.
Vintage and antique stoves almost always have pilot lights, which is one reason people sometimes restore them. If you inherit or purchase an older stove, assume it has a pilot light unless you verify otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert a pilot light stove to electronic ignition?
Conversion kits exist for some stove models, but installation is complex and requires disconnecting gas lines and electrical work. The cost of a kit plus professional installation often approaches the price of a new stove. Check with a gas appliance repair technician whether a kit is available for your specific model before pursuing this option.
Is a pilot light stove safer than electronic ignition?
Both are safe when working properly. A pilot light stove is safer during a power outage because you can still light the burners. An electronic ignition stove is safer in some ways because there is no standing flame to accidentally ignite nearby objects, and the thermocouple safety device prevents gas from flowing if the pilot goes out.
How much gas does a pilot light use?
A typical pilot light uses about 400 to 600 BTU per hour continuously. Over a year, this adds roughly $10 to $20 to your gas bill depending on your local gas rates. The exact amount varies by stove model and how efficiently the pilot is burning.
What should I do if my electronic ignition stove keeps clicking but won't light?
Turn off the stove when ready and do not keep trying. Repeated clicking means gas is flowing without igniting, which is a safety hazard. Call a repair technician or the stove manufacturer. Do not attempt to light the burner with a match or lighter as a workaround.
Do all gas ovens have pilot lights?
No. Modern gas ovens use electronic ignition just like cooktop burners. Older ovens have pilot lights. The oven pilot light is usually separate from the cooktop pilot, so one can go out while the other stays lit.