Kitchen Gas Appliances - Gas oven questions
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szrc
09-09-04, 04:15 PM
I've recently moved into an apartment equipped with a small, old gas oven/range. I don't know much about it (I have only limited experience with gas), but it does have a pilot that's always on. A few things concern me, but I don't know enough to determine if they're related or important:
1. I can smell gas in the kitchen. Not overpowering, but noticeable.
2. The surface of the range is hot (touchable but only for a few seconds), even when nothing is or has recently been turned on. Inside the oven is noticeably warmer than the kitchen (not exactly hot). In any case, the thing is putting out a lot of heat, keeping the kitchen 5 or 10 degrees above the rest of the apartment.
3. My smoke alarm went off when preheating the oven for the first time, though I noticed no actual smoke. I disconnected the alarm and was able to cook my food, but I haven't had the nerve to try it again. As far as I can tell, the alarm is for smoke only (not sensitive to gas).
I could imagine that #3 is due to the oven being out of use for a time prior to my arrival, and the hot surface might be normal (though annoying). The gas smell is more problematic, but I'm not sure if it's the sort of thing I should be contacting my landlord about. If anyone would care to put my mind at ease or suggest solutions, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Alex
1. I can smell gas in the kitchen. Not overpowering, but noticeable.
2. The surface of the range is hot (touchable but only for a few seconds), even when nothing is or has recently been turned on. Inside the oven is noticeably warmer than the kitchen (not exactly hot). In any case, the thing is putting out a lot of heat, keeping the kitchen 5 or 10 degrees above the rest of the apartment.
3. My smoke alarm went off when preheating the oven for the first time, though I noticed no actual smoke. I disconnected the alarm and was able to cook my food, but I haven't had the nerve to try it again. As far as I can tell, the alarm is for smoke only (not sensitive to gas).
I could imagine that #3 is due to the oven being out of use for a time prior to my arrival, and the hot surface might be normal (though annoying). The gas smell is more problematic, but I'm not sure if it's the sort of thing I should be contacting my landlord about. If anyone would care to put my mind at ease or suggest solutions, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Alex
Sharp Advice
09-09-04, 06:13 PM
Hello Alex and Welcome to the Do It Yourself Web Site and my Gas Appliances topic.
Gas odor should not be present. May simply be a pilot out or dirty pilot flames, pilot flames adjusted to high or pilot flame in contact with something, etc. An adjustment likely needs to be made or a pilot cleaned.
Contact the manager and have the appliance checked or serviced by the local gas supplier, if they provide any services. Some gas suppliers provide minor services. May even be a pilot on to one of the burners.
Smoke detectors react to invisable particules as well as visable smoke. Oven may have been recently cleaned or had some residue left over which will cause a smoke detector to alarm.
Older stoves produce plenty of heat, even while the pilots are working and adjusted correctly. Hot or warm surfaces not unusual for older types of stoves made in the 1920's through late 1960's.
Highly recommend you have the appliance serviced by a person whom knows what they are looking for and and what needs to be adjusted, etc. Especially the slight gas odor. Not recommending you attempt to make adjustments to an appliance you are not familar with or one that is not yours.
Also very difficult for myself or any others, to make suggestions or to make special adjustsments when details about the stove brand type and exact model are unknown. Obtain help.
Gas odor should not be present. May simply be a pilot out or dirty pilot flames, pilot flames adjusted to high or pilot flame in contact with something, etc. An adjustment likely needs to be made or a pilot cleaned.
Contact the manager and have the appliance checked or serviced by the local gas supplier, if they provide any services. Some gas suppliers provide minor services. May even be a pilot on to one of the burners.
Smoke detectors react to invisable particules as well as visable smoke. Oven may have been recently cleaned or had some residue left over which will cause a smoke detector to alarm.
Older stoves produce plenty of heat, even while the pilots are working and adjusted correctly. Hot or warm surfaces not unusual for older types of stoves made in the 1920's through late 1960's.
Highly recommend you have the appliance serviced by a person whom knows what they are looking for and and what needs to be adjusted, etc. Especially the slight gas odor. Not recommending you attempt to make adjustments to an appliance you are not familar with or one that is not yours.
Also very difficult for myself or any others, to make suggestions or to make special adjustsments when details about the stove brand type and exact model are unknown. Obtain help.