Flame on! Or not.

April 29, 2009 5:45 AM

One of the burners on the gas stove isn't lighting all the way. What should I do next?

This stove has a central pilot light. For the burner in question, when I turn it on, the gas coming out of the little holes closest to the pilot light ignite, but the ones further away do not. If I gently blow on the burner while it's (partially) lit, this causes the gas coming out of the other holes to ignite properly, so this is not a problem with gas flow out of the other holes.

How do I get the burner to ignite completely, without having to blow on it?

posted by chengjih to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

I would guess that there is some gunk/food/something blocking one or two of the holes that the gas comes out of, so it hits a spot where it doesn't cross over to the next hole. Get a toothpick or something and poke through the holes near where it stops spreading, or better yet, take it apart and give it a thorough cleaning. Also, I'm not sure this is an option (my gas stove has the "light" thing set so it's on high when you light it), but make sure you have enough gas coming out when you start it (it's not set on "low" when you light it).
posted by Grither at 6:00 AM on April 29, 2009

Sounds like the burner's clogged.

First, shut off the gas and electricity supply to the stove.

You should be able to remove the burner (they normally just rest on the stove top) and soak it in some detergent to dissolve any grease. Clean and dry it thoroughly before use.

The stove should have a small brass connector (the gas port) where the gas enters the burner. Clean this out with a pin or a paperclip in case there's a blockage there.

Replace the dry burner and turn everything back on.

(And don't use a toothpick on the gas port - it might snap off and completely jam the port).
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 6:09 AM on April 29, 2009

Thirding a clog. I used to use a piece of spaghetti to clear out clogged burner holes.
posted by SansPoint at 6:22 AM on April 29, 2009

You don't need to disconnect the gas and electricity to remove and clean the burners.
posted by caddis at 6:59 AM on April 29, 2009

You don't need to disconnect the gas and electricity to remove and clean the burners

You don't, but it won't do any harm to take the extra precaution.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 8:38 AM on April 29, 2009

Maybe try a small wire brush, old tooth brush or wire. Seconding the thought of anything being put into it that might break off.....spaghetti, tooth pick, etc....

Also, afterwards, you might want to give it a shot of liquid air if you have any to blow away any dirt or particles!
posted by Taurid at 11:24 AM on April 29, 2009

If it's the kind with a removable top bit, make sure the top is on straight. If it get knocked so that it's sitting on the lower bit at an angle, the gas doesn't flow out correctly.
posted by primer_dimer at 2:02 AM on April 30, 2009