Turn off the pilot light by closing the gas valve and letting the flame go out on its own

The safest way to turn off a pilot light is to locate the gas control knob on your appliance—usually on the front of the unit or inside the access panel—and turn it to the "Off" position. The flame will extinguish within seconds. Do not blow it out or try to smother it. Once the knob is in the "Off" position, the gas supply to the pilot burner stops completely, and there is no flame to relight accidentally.

Most appliances have three positions on the gas control: "Pilot," "On," and "Off." Turning to "Off" closes the valve that feeds gas to the pilot burner. This is different from turning the knob to "Pilot," which keeps the pilot lit but stops gas from flowing to the main burner—useful if you want to keep the pilot burning but not heat the space.

Key Takeaways

  • Locate the gas control knob on your appliance and turn it fully to the "Off" position; the pilot flame will go out on its own within seconds.
  • Never blow out the pilot light or try to extinguish it by hand—let the gas shutoff do the work.
  • If the knob is stuck or will not turn, do not force it; turn off the main gas supply to the appliance at the shutoff valve instead.
  • After turning off the pilot light, wait a few minutes before relighting to allow any residual gas to clear from the burner area.
  • If the pilot light will not stay off or reignites on its own, the control valve may be faulty and needs professional inspection.

Locating the gas control knob on your appliance

The gas control knob is usually mounted on the front face of the appliance or inside a small access panel near the burner. On water heaters, it is typically on the lower front panel. On furnaces, you may need to open the access door to see it. On stoves and ovens, it is often inside the oven cavity or on the side of the unit. Check your appliance's manual if you cannot find it—the manual will show you exactly where the knob is located and what the positions mean.

The knob itself is usually a dial or lever with printed labels. Common labels are "Off," "Pilot," and "On." Some older appliances may use different wording, such as "Low" instead of "Pilot." If the labels are worn away, the "Off" position is almost always the one that points straight down or to the left, but do not guess—consult the manual or call the manufacturer's customer service line to confirm.

What happens when you turn the knob to "Off"

Turning the knob to "Off" closes an internal valve that stops gas from flowing to the pilot burner. The flame dies out within a few seconds because there is no more fuel. The appliance is now safe to leave unattended, and no gas is being burned. The main burner (if the appliance has one) is also shut off, so no heat is being produced.

This is not the same as turning off the main gas supply to your home. The gas control knob only shuts off gas to that one appliance. If you need to turn off gas to the entire house—for example, if you smell gas or suspect a leak—you will need to locate the main shutoff valve, which is usually near the gas meter outside or in the basement.

When the knob is stuck or will not turn

If the gas control knob is stuck and you cannot turn it by hand, do not force it. Forcing a stuck knob can damage the valve inside, making the problem worse. Instead, try wrapping a cloth around the knob for better grip and turning it slowly and gently. If it still will not budge, stop and turn off the main gas supply to the appliance at the shutoff valve instead.

The shutoff valve is usually a small lever or ball valve on the gas line leading to the appliance. Turn the lever so it is perpendicular to the gas line (at a 90-degree angle). This stops all gas flow to the appliance. Once the main shutoff is closed, the pilot light will go out on its own. You can then call a technician to inspect the stuck control knob and repair or replace it.

Waiting before you relight the pilot

After you turn off the pilot light, wait at least two to three minutes before you try to relight it. This gives any residual gas in the burner area time to clear. If you try to relight too quickly, you may have a small buildup of unburned gas, which can cause a pop or small flame burst when the pilot ignites. Waiting a few minutes prevents this and makes relighting safer.

During this waiting period, do not turn the knob back to "Pilot" or "On." Leave it in the "Off" position and wait. You can use this time to check that the area around the appliance is clear and that you have a long lighter or match ready for when you are ready to relight.

Signs the control valve needs professional service

If you turn the knob to "Off" but the pilot light does not go out, or if it goes out and then reignites on its own a few minutes later, the gas control valve is not working properly. A faulty valve can leak gas even when the knob is in the "Off" position, which is a safety hazard. Do not try to fix this yourself.

Turn off the main gas supply to the appliance at the shutoff valve and call a licensed technician or the appliance manufacturer. Describe what is happening—that the pilot will not stay off—and they will send someone to inspect the control valve. The valve may need to be cleaned, adjusted, or replaced. Until it is fixed, do not use the appliance.

Turning off the pilot light for seasonal storage

If you are storing an appliance for the winter or for an extended period, turning off the pilot light is a good idea. It saves a small amount of gas and reduces the risk of any accidental ignition. Follow the steps above: locate the gas control knob, turn it to "Off," and wait for the flame to go out. Then close the main shutoff valve on the gas line to the appliance for extra safety.

Before you use the appliance again, you will need to relight the pilot. Consult the manual for the exact steps, as the process varies by appliance. Most pilots are relit by turning the knob to "Pilot," holding a lit match or lighter near the burner opening, and waiting for the flame to catch. Once it is lit, turn the knob to "On" to resume normal operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off the pilot light to save money?

Yes, turning off the pilot light when you are not using the appliance saves a small amount of gas. However, the savings are modest—a pilot light typically uses only a few dollars worth of gas per month. If you turn it off seasonally or during long periods of non-use, the savings add up, but turning it off and on frequently is not worth the effort.

What if I smell gas after turning off the pilot light?

If you smell gas after turning off the pilot, turn off the main shutoff valve on the gas line when ready and leave the area. Do not use any electrical switches or create sparks. Call your gas company's emergency line from outside the building. A smell of gas after shutoff suggests a leak in the valve or gas line, which requires professional inspection.

Is it safe to leave the pilot light off for months?

Yes, it is safe to leave the pilot off for months. The appliance will not be harmed. When you are ready to use it again, straightforward relight the pilot following the manual's instructions. Make sure the area around the burner is clear of dust or debris before you relight, as these can interfere with ignition.

Do I need to turn off the main gas valve too?

No, turning the gas control knob to "Off" is enough for everyday use. The control knob shuts off gas to that appliance only. You only need to turn off the main shutoff valve if the control knob is broken, stuck, or if you suspect a gas leak in the line itself.

Why does my pilot light keep going out on its own?

A pilot light that goes out repeatedly may be caused by a draft, a dirty burner, or a faulty thermocouple (a safety device that detects the flame). Clean the burner area gently with a soft brush and check for drafts near the appliance. If the problem continues, the thermocouple or control valve may need replacement by a technician.