Lighting a pilot light on a gas oven
To light a pilot light on a gas oven, you locate the pilot light opening (usually at the bottom front of the oven interior), turn the gas knob to the pilot position, hold a lit match or lighter near the opening for 10 to 15 seconds, and then turn the knob to the on position once you see a small flame. The whole process takes less than a minute, and you do not need any tools or special equipment—just a match or lighter and steady hands.
Most gas ovens have a pilot light that stays lit all the time, ready to ignite the main burner when you turn the oven on. If that pilot light goes out, the oven will not heat, even though gas is flowing. Relighting it yourself saves a service call and gets your oven working again in minutes.
Key Takeaways
- The pilot light opening is usually a small hole at the bottom front of the oven, sometimes behind a removable panel or visible through the oven door.
- Turn the gas control knob to the pilot position, which is marked on the knob itself and sits between off and the normal heat settings.
- Hold a lit match or lighter directly in front of the pilot opening for 10 to 15 seconds while gas flows, then turn the knob to on once the flame appears.
- If the pilot light will not stay lit after three attempts, the thermocouple (a safety sensor) may be faulty and require professional replacement.
- Never force the gas knob or use excessive heat near the pilot opening; a gentle flame from a match is all you need.
Locate the pilot light opening on your oven
The pilot light opening is a small hole, usually about the size of a pencil tip, located at the bottom front of your oven interior. On many ovens, you can see it directly through the oven door. On others, there is a removable metal panel at the bottom front—pull or unscrew this panel to expose the pilot light area.
Look for a small brass or steel tube pointing downward or to the side. The opening where gas flows out is at the end of this tube. If you cannot find it, check your oven's manual or look inside the oven with a flashlight. The pilot light is never hidden deep inside; it is always accessible from the front without removing racks or major parts.
Turn the gas knob to the pilot position
Locate the gas control knob on the front of your oven—this is the same knob you turn to set the oven temperature. Look at the markings on the knob itself. You will see "Off," a pilot light symbol (usually a small flame icon), and numbered heat settings like 200, 300, 400, and so on.
Turn the knob slowly to the pilot position. You will feel it click or stop at that position. Do not force it. At this point, gas is flowing to the pilot opening, but the main burner is not on. You should hear a faint hissing sound if gas is reaching the pilot.
Light the pilot with a match or lighter
Hold a lit match or a long lighter (a barbecue lighter works well) directly in front of the pilot opening. Position the flame about one-quarter inch away from the opening. Keep the flame steady and close for 10 to 15 seconds. You should see a small blue flame appear at the pilot opening.
Once the flame is lit and burning steadily, keep the gas knob in the pilot position for another 10 to 20 seconds. This allows the thermocouple—a safety sensor near the pilot flame—to heat up and signal that the pilot is burning. If you release the knob too quickly, the pilot will go out.
Turn the knob to the on position
After holding the knob in the pilot position for 20 seconds, slowly turn it to the on position (the lowest numbered heat setting, usually 200 degrees). The pilot flame should remain lit. If it does, the pilot light is now working, and your oven is ready to use.
Set the oven to your desired temperature. The main burner will ignite from the pilot light, and the oven will begin heating. You should hear a whooshing sound as the main burner lights, followed by the hum of the heating element.
What to do if the pilot light will not stay lit
If the pilot light goes out as soon as you release the knob from the pilot position, the thermocouple is likely faulty. This is a small sensor that sits in the pilot flame and tells the gas valve to stay open. When it fails, the valve closes automatically for safety, cutting off gas to the pilot.
Try lighting the pilot two more times, holding the knob in the pilot position for a full 30 seconds each time. If it still will not stay lit, the thermocouple needs replacement. This is a job for a professional technician—the part costs $15 to $50, but installation requires opening the oven's gas line, which should only be done by someone trained in gas appliance safety.
Do not attempt to bypass the thermocouple or hold the knob in the pilot position indefinitely. The safety system exists to prevent gas from flowing if the pilot is not burning, which protects against gas leaks and carbon monoxide buildup.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not use a regular short match or a lighter that does not reach far enough. Your fingers will get too close to the pilot opening, and you risk burning yourself. A long barbecue lighter or long fireplace match keeps your hand at a safe distance.
Do not turn the knob too quickly or forcefully. The knob should move smoothly to each position. Forcing it can damage the internal valve mechanism. If the knob feels stuck, do not push harder—stop and call a technician.
Do not light the pilot and then when ready turn the knob to a high heat setting. Always go to the on position (the lowest setting) first. Jumping straight to 400 degrees can cause the oven to overheat or the burner to light too aggressively.
Do not assume the pilot is lit if you see only a tiny spark or glow. The flame should be a clear, steady blue color about the size of a pea. If it is orange, yellow, or flickering, the pilot may not be burning properly, and you should try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I hold the knob in the pilot position?
Hold it for at least 20 to 30 seconds after the pilot flame appears. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release it too quickly, the pilot will go out, and you will have to start over.
What if I smell gas but do not see a flame?
Turn the knob to off when ready and wait five minutes for any gas to clear. Do not light anything. If you smell gas again when you try a second time, turn off the oven and call a technician. A gas leak or faulty valve requires professional repair.
Can I light the pilot with a lighter instead of a match?
Yes. A long lighter (like a barbecue or fireplace lighter) is actually safer than a match because it keeps your hand farther from the pilot opening. Regular short lighters are harder to control and can burn your fingers.
Is it normal for the pilot light to go out sometimes?
Occasional outages happen, especially if there is a draft near the oven or if the thermocouple is aging. If the pilot goes out more than once every few months, the thermocouple is likely wearing out and should be replaced soon.
What does the thermocouple do?
The thermocouple is a safety sensor that sits in the pilot flame. When it gets hot, it sends an electrical signal that tells the gas valve to stay open. If the pilot blows out, the thermocouple cools down, the signal stops, and the valve closes automatically to prevent gas from flowing into the oven.