Light the pilot by holding the igniter button while opening the gas valve

To light a gas oven with a pilot light, you turn the oven control knob to the pilot position, hold down the igniter button (usually marked "ignite" or with a spark symbol), and listen for a clicking sound. The clicking is the spark that ignites the gas. Keep the button pressed for 15 to 30 seconds while gas flows to the pilot burner. Once you see a small blue flame appear at the pilot opening, release the button and hold the knob in the pilot position for another 30 seconds to let the flame stabilize.

After the pilot flame is steady, turn the knob to your desired oven temperature. The main burner should light automatically from the pilot flame. If it does not, turn the knob back to off, wait a minute, and try again. A working pilot flame should be about the size of a pencil tip and burn steadily without flickering or going out.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the oven control knob to the pilot position, then press and hold the igniter button for 15 to 30 seconds while watching for a small blue flame.
  • Keep the knob pressed in the pilot position for another 30 seconds after the flame appears so it stays lit when you release the button.
  • Once the pilot is stable, turn the knob to your desired temperature and the main burner should light from the pilot flame.
  • If the pilot flame goes out when ready after you release the button, the thermocouple may need cleaning or replacement.
  • Never use a match or lighter to light the pilot—the igniter button is designed to do this safely.

Locate the pilot opening and igniter button on your oven

The pilot opening is a small hole or tube at the bottom front of your oven, usually near the left side. It may have a small metal shield around it. The igniter button is on the oven control panel, typically labeled "ignite," "pilot," or with a spark icon. Some older ovens have the button on the side of the oven body instead of the front panel.

Before you start, make sure the oven door is open and the room is well ventilated. Check that the main oven control knob is turned fully to the off position. If you smell gas before you begin, turn off the oven, leave the area, and call your gas company—do not try to light it yourself.

Hold the igniter button and watch for the spark

Press the igniter button down firmly and hold it. You should hear a rapid clicking sound—this is the spark electrode firing. The clicking continues as long as you hold the button. Keep holding for the full 15 to 30 seconds even if you do not see a flame right away. The gas needs time to reach the pilot opening and ignite.

If you hear clicking but see no flame after 30 seconds, release the button, wait one minute, and try again. If this happens twice, stop and let the oven air out for five minutes before trying a third time. Repeated failed attempts can allow gas to build up in the oven.

Keep the knob pressed after the flame appears

Once you see the small blue pilot flame, do not release the igniter button when ready. Instead, keep the oven control knob pressed inward (in the pilot position) for another 30 seconds. This allows the thermocouple—a heat-sensing device near the pilot—to warm up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release too soon, the flame will go out.

The pilot flame should be steady and blue. A yellow or orange flame means the pilot needs cleaning. A flame that flickers or dances suggests a draft or airflow problem—close the oven door partially and try again.

Turn the knob to your desired temperature

After 30 seconds with the pilot flame burning steadily, slowly turn the oven control knob to your desired temperature. As you turn it, you should hear the main burner ignite with a soft whoosh sound. The main burner flame should appear at the bottom of the oven and burn blue and steady.

If the main burner does not light, turn the knob back to off, wait one minute, and repeat the pilot lighting process. Sometimes the main burner needs a second attempt. If the main burner lights but then goes out after a few seconds, the thermocouple may be failing and will need professional service.

Troubleshoot if the pilot will not stay lit

If the pilot flame goes out the moment you release the button, the thermocouple is likely dirty or faulty. The thermocouple is a thin metal rod that sits in the pilot flame and tells the gas valve to stay open. When it gets coated with dust or soot, it cannot sense the heat and the valve closes automatically.

To clean the thermocouple, turn off the oven and let it cool completely. Locate the thermocouple near the pilot opening—it looks like a thin metal tube about 4 inches long. Gently rub the end that sits in the flame with fine steel wool or a soft cloth. Wipe away any debris and try lighting the pilot again. If cleaning does not work, the thermocouple needs replacement by a service technician.

If the pilot lights and stays lit but the main burner will not light, check that the oven door is fully closed. Many ovens have a safety switch that prevents the main burner from lighting if the door is ajar. Also make sure the control knob is turned all the way to your desired temperature, not just partway.

Know when to call a professional

If you have tried lighting the pilot three times and it will not stay lit, stop and contact a service technician. Repeated failed attempts waste gas and create a safety hazard. Do not try to force the system or use alternative ignition methods like matches or lighters.

Also call a professional if you smell gas during or after lighting, if the flame is yellow or orange instead of blue, if the oven heats unevenly, or if you hear unusual sounds from the burner. These are signs of a problem that requires informed diagnosis and repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the igniter button?

Hold the button for 15 to 30 seconds while listening for clicking and watching for the pilot flame. Once the flame appears, keep the oven control knob pressed in the pilot position for another 30 seconds before turning it to your desired temperature. This two-step timing ensures the thermocouple warms up and the gas valve stays open.

What does the pilot flame look like?

A healthy pilot flame is small—about the size of a pencil tip—and burns steady blue. It should not flicker, dance, or change color. A yellow or orange flame means the pilot needs cleaning. If the flame is very small or barely visible, the pilot opening may be clogged and needs professional cleaning.

Why does my pilot light go out right after I release the button?

The thermocouple is not warming up enough to keep the gas valve open. This usually means the thermocouple is dirty. Try cleaning it gently with fine steel wool, focusing on the end that sits in the flame. If cleaning does not work, the thermocouple has failed and needs replacement by a technician.

Can I use a match or lighter to light the pilot?

No. The igniter button is designed to light the pilot safely by creating a spark at the exact right spot. Using a match or lighter can cause the gas to ignite unexpectedly or burn your hand. Always use the igniter button that came with your oven.

What should I do if I smell gas?

Stop when ready, turn off the oven, and leave the area. Do not try to light the oven again. Open windows to ventilate, and call your gas company from outside or from a neighbor's phone. Gas leaks are a serious safety hazard and require professional inspection.