Finding and Lighting the Pilot Light

To light your oven's pilot light, you need to locate the pilot burner inside the oven—usually a small brass or steel tube near the bottom of the oven box—and hold a lit match or lighter to it while gas flows through. The exact steps depend on whether your oven has an ignition button or requires manual gas control, but the core process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

Start by opening your oven door fully and looking at the bottom interior. The pilot burner is typically a thin tube about the size of a pencil, positioned near the front left or center of the oven floor. Some ovens have a small access panel you may need to remove first; check your oven's manual or look for a removable metal cover. If you cannot locate it after a careful look, the manual for your specific model will have a diagram showing the exact location.

Key Takeaways

  • The pilot light sits inside the oven near the bottom, usually as a small brass or steel tube you can see when you open the door.
  • You will need a long lighter or long match to reach the pilot burner safely without burning your hand on the oven opening.
  • Turn the gas control knob to the pilot position, hold the flame to the burner, and keep the knob pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame catches.
  • If the pilot light goes out repeatedly, the thermocouple may be dirty or failing, and cleaning or replacing it is a common fix.
  • Never use your hand to shield the flame inside the oven, and always may support the kitchen is well-ventilated before attempting to light the pilot.

Preparing the Oven and Gathering Tools

Before you begin, make sure the oven is completely cool and the kitchen is well-ventilated. Open a window or turn on the exhaust fan, because unlit gas can accumulate in the oven. Gather a long lighter—the kind used for grills or fireplaces—or a long wooden match. A regular short match or lighter will not reach the pilot burner safely without putting your hand too close to the oven opening.

Check that the oven's main power switch is on if your model has one. Some ovens have an on/off switch separate from the temperature dial; if yours does, flip it to the on position. Then locate the gas control knob on the front of the oven. It usually has markings for "Off," "Pilot," and temperature settings. Do not turn it yet—just identify where it is so you can reach it quickly once you have the lighter ready.

The Step-by-Step Lighting Process

Turn the gas control knob to the "Pilot" position. You may hear a faint hissing sound as gas begins to flow to the pilot burner. Hold your long lighter or match to the end of the pilot tube inside the oven. The flame should catch within a few seconds. If it does not, wait 10 seconds, remove the lighter, and try again—do not hold the flame there continuously for more than 15 seconds at a time, as this can overheat the lighter.

Once the pilot flame is lit, keep the gas control knob pressed in (or held in the pilot position) for 30 to 60 seconds. This allows the thermocouple—a heat-sensing device near the pilot flame—to warm up and signal the gas valve to stay open. After 60 seconds, slowly release the knob. The pilot flame should remain lit. If it goes out when ready, repeat the process and hold the knob for a full 60 seconds this time.

Once the pilot is holding steady, turn the gas control knob to the desired temperature setting. The main oven burner should ignite automatically. If it does not, turn the knob back to "Off" and wait a few minutes before trying again. Do not force the knob or turn it past the temperature markings.

What to Do If the Pilot Light Will Not Stay Lit

If the pilot light ignites but goes out within seconds of releasing the knob, the thermocouple is likely the problem. The thermocouple is a thin metal rod that sits in the pilot flame and tells the gas valve to stay open. When it gets dirty or fails, the valve closes even though the pilot is burning. You can try cleaning it first: turn off the gas, let the oven cool, and gently wipe the thermocouple tip with a soft, dry cloth or fine steel wool to remove any soot or buildup.

If cleaning does not work, the thermocouple may need to be replaced. This is a common repair that takes 10 to 20 minutes and costs between $15 and $50 for the part itself. You can order a replacement by model number (found on a sticker inside the oven or in the manual) and install it by unscrewing the old one and screwing in the new one. If you are not comfortable doing this, a technician can handle it quickly.

Safety Precautions While Lighting the Pilot

Never use your hand or fingers to shield the flame or guide it toward the pilot burner. Always use a long lighter or match to keep your hand away from the oven opening. If you smell gas but do not see a flame after 30 seconds of attempting to light the pilot, turn the knob to "Off" when ready, close the oven door, and leave the kitchen. Open windows and doors to ventilate, then wait 5 minutes before trying again. Do not light a match or use any spark-producing device if you smell unlit gas.

Keep the oven door open only as much as needed to see and reach the pilot burner. Do not lean your face into the oven or place anything flammable near the oven opening. If you have a gas leak (a strong rotten-egg smell that does not fade after ventilation), do not attempt to light the pilot. Leave the house and call your gas company's emergency line from outside.

When to Call a Professional

If the pilot light will not ignite after three attempts, or if it lights but the main oven burner does not ignite after the pilot is holding steady, there may be a blockage in the gas line or a faulty ignition system. These issues require a technician. Similarly, if you smell gas continuously even after the pilot is lit and the oven is off, do not attempt further repairs—call your gas company or a certified appliance technician.

Some newer ovens have electronic ignition systems instead of pilot lights. If you cannot find a pilot burner inside your oven, check the manual to see whether your model uses a different ignition method. Attempting to light a non-existent pilot light will not harm anything, but it means your oven needs a different troubleshooting approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the knob in after the pilot lights?

Hold the knob in the pilot position for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame catches. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If the pilot goes out when ready when you release it, try again and hold for the full 60 seconds.

What if I smell gas but do not see a flame?

Turn the knob to "Off" right away, close the oven door, and open windows to ventilate the kitchen. Wait 5 minutes, then try again. If you still smell gas after a second attempt, do not light anything—leave the house and call your gas company's emergency line.

Can I use a regular match instead of a long lighter?

A regular match is shorter and will force your hand closer to the oven opening, which is unsafe. A long lighter or long fireplace match keeps your hand at a safer distance. If you only have short matches, tape several together to extend the reach.

Why does the pilot light keep going out?

The thermocouple is usually the culprit. It may be dirty, bent, or failing. Try cleaning the tip gently with a soft cloth. If it still does not work, the thermocouple needs to be replaced—a straightforward repair you can do yourself or have a technician handle.

Is it normal for the pilot flame to be small and blue?

Yes. A healthy pilot flame is small (about the size of your pinky fingernail), blue or blue-white, and steady. If the flame is yellow, orange, or flickering constantly, the burner may need cleaning or the gas pressure may need adjustment—call a technician if cleaning does not help.