Lighting a pilot light is a straightforward process that takes less than a minute

To light your oven pilot light, you need a long lighter or long match, access to the pilot opening (usually inside the oven or behind a panel), and a steady hand. Turn the oven's control knob to the lowest setting, hold the lighter flame to the pilot opening for 10 to 15 seconds while listening for a small whooshing sound, then release. The pilot should stay lit once you remove the flame. If it goes out when ready, wait five minutes and try again—the gas may not have built up enough pressure.

Most ovens have the pilot opening at the bottom front of the oven chamber, visible when you look inside. Some models hide it behind a removable panel on the oven's exterior. Check your oven's manual or look for a small brass or steel tube with a tiny opening; that is your pilot.

Key Takeaways

  • Use a long lighter or long match to reach the pilot opening safely without burning your hand on the oven edge.
  • Hold the flame steady at the pilot opening for 10 to 15 seconds while the gas builds up and ignites.
  • Listen for a small whooshing sound when the pilot ignites—this tells you the flame has caught.
  • If the pilot goes out right after you light it, wait five minutes and try again rather than relighting when ready.
  • If the pilot will not stay lit after three attempts, the thermocouple may be worn out and need replacement by a technician.

Locate the pilot opening before you start

Open your oven door fully and look at the bottom front of the oven chamber. You should see a small opening, usually about the size of a pencil tip, on a brass or steel tube. This is your pilot opening. If you cannot see it from inside the oven, check whether your model has a removable panel on the front or side of the oven exterior—some manufacturers hide the pilot behind a metal cover you can slide or unscrew.

If you still cannot find it, consult your oven's manual or look up the model number online. Knowing the exact location before you light saves you time and prevents you from holding a flame in the wrong spot. The manual will also tell you whether your oven has a manual pilot light or an automatic ignition system (automatic systems do not need manual lighting).

Gather the right tools and prepare the oven

You need a long lighter or long match—a standard short match or lighter will not reach the pilot safely without your hand getting too close to the hot oven edge. Grill lighters and long-reach butane lighters work best because they give you control and a steady flame. Avoid using a stove burner to light a match and then carrying it to the oven; the flame often goes out on the way.

Before you light, turn the oven's control knob to the lowest setting or to "Pilot" if your knob has that label. This opens the gas line to the pilot. Do not turn it to "On" or a temperature setting yet—you are only lighting the pilot, not starting the oven. Make sure the kitchen is well-ventilated and that no one is standing directly in front of the oven opening.

Hold the flame steady for 10 to 15 seconds

Position your lighter or match so the flame is directly under or at the pilot opening. You should see the small flame from your lighter or match touching or very close to the pilot tube opening. Hold it there steadily for 10 to 15 seconds. Do not move the flame around or pull it away too soon—the pilot needs time to heat up and ignite the gas flowing from the line.

While you hold the flame, listen carefully for a small whooshing sound. This sound means the gas has ignited and the pilot flame is now burning on its own. Once you hear it, you can remove your lighter or match. The pilot should continue burning with a small blue flame about the size of a pea or pencil eraser.

What to do if the pilot goes out right after lighting

If the pilot flame dies within a few seconds of you removing your lighter, do not light it again when ready. Wait five minutes. The gas line may not have built up enough pressure yet, or air may still be in the line from the pilot being out. After five minutes, try lighting it again using the same method.

If the pilot lights and stays on for a few seconds but then goes out, the thermocouple—a safety device that senses the pilot flame—may be dirty or failing. Try lighting it two more times. If it goes out each time within 30 seconds, the thermocouple likely needs cleaning or replacement, which requires a technician. Do not keep relighting repeatedly, as this wastes gas and can create a safety hazard.

Common mistakes that prevent the pilot from staying lit

The most common error is not holding the flame at the pilot opening long enough. Many people hold it for only two or three seconds and then pull away, expecting the pilot to light. The gas needs 10 to 15 seconds of heat to ignite reliably. Another mistake is turning the control knob to "On" or a temperature setting before the pilot is lit—this can cause the main burner to try to ignite without a pilot flame present, which is unsafe.

A third mistake is relighting too quickly after a failed attempt. If the pilot goes out, waiting five minutes lets gas pressure build back up. Lighting again when ready often fails because the line is not pressurized enough. Finally, some people use a short match or lighter and get their hand too close to the oven edge, causing them to pull away before the pilot has time to catch. Always use a long lighter or long match.

After the pilot is lit, how to turn on the oven

Once the pilot is burning steadily with a small blue flame, you can turn the control knob to your desired temperature or to "On." The main burner should ignite within a few seconds. You will hear a louder whooshing sound as the main burner lights, and you should see a larger flame inside the oven chamber. If the main burner does not light within 10 seconds, turn the knob back to "Off," wait a minute, and try again.

If the main burner still will not light even though the pilot is burning, the ignition system may have a problem. This is a sign to contact a repair technician rather than continuing to try lighting it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I light the pilot with the oven door closed?

No. You need to see the pilot opening clearly and position your lighter or match accurately. Always open the oven door fully. Trying to light it through a crack or with the door mostly closed makes it nearly impossible to reach the pilot and increases the risk of burning yourself.

What if I smell gas but the pilot will not light?

Stop trying to light it and turn off the gas at the control knob. Open windows to ventilate the kitchen. If you smell gas for more than a few minutes after turning off the oven, or if you smell gas anywhere else in your home, leave the house and call your gas company's emergency line. Do not use matches, lighters, or electrical switches.

How long should the pilot flame be?

The pilot flame should be a small blue flame, roughly the size of a pea or pencil eraser—about one-quarter to one-half inch tall. If the flame is much larger or yellow instead of blue, the pilot may be burning too hot or the air-to-gas ratio may be off. A flame that is too small may not heat the thermocouple properly. If the flame looks wrong, contact a technician.

Do I need to light the pilot every time I use the oven?

No. Once the pilot is lit, it should stay on continuously. You only need to light it if it goes out due to a draft, a power outage (on electric ignition models), or if you have turned off the gas supply. If the pilot keeps going out on its own, the thermocouple is likely failing and needs service.

Is it safe to light the pilot myself, or should I call a technician?

Lighting the pilot yourself is safe if you follow the steps carefully. However, if the pilot will not stay lit after three attempts, or if you smell gas and cannot find the source, stop and contact a technician. Do not repeatedly try to light a pilot that keeps going out—this wastes gas and may indicate a problem that needs professional repair.