If you have ever cooked on a gas oven, then you know the benefits that this type of appliance provides. However, those that are using one after using an electric oven for a long period, typically wonder what they are supposed to expect. The one question that often comes up is whether the gas oven is supposed to smell like gas.
It is not uncommon for a gas oven to emit a strange, gas-like odor when it is first turned on. This is a result of the combustion of gas that will disappear naturally within a few minutes after the oven has heated up.
Learning more about gas ovens and any odors you may encounter can help to alleviate concerns you may have about safe operation procedures. Read on below to discover critical details about your gas oven that you may want to know.
What Should A Gas Oven Smell Like?
Keep in mind that a slight, subtle gas smell is not unheard of when turning on your gas oven, as the burners light with a relatively small flame. You may also have built-up residue inside your oven, which would make the gas smell more intense.
Oftentimes, it is easy to forget that an oven needs to be cleaned occasionally to keep it working properly. Most people realize that this is the case when they turn the oven on and there is an odor that does not go away. This is sometimes accompanied by smoke that should indicate there may be residue in the oven that needs to be cleaned.
If you turn on your oven and there is a slight smell that does not go away, this may be a sign that something more is going on that may need your attention. There are several things that you can check before calling a repair service. Of course, caution is always advised when working on anything that uses gas.
How to Know if Your Gas Oven is Leaking Gas
Gas oven leaks are often first detected by the smell of gas, which often smells like rotten eggs during operation, which does not disappear after a few minutes. Even though gas itself does not have a strong odor, the additive utility companies use makes it more detectable.
Since the smell is often the sign of a leak, it is advisable to turn off the oven, and safely exit your home to call for assistance. Calling the local utility company is usually the best way since they will respond rather quickly and let you know if there is a leak.
Although the smell of gas is the best indicator of a gas leak, there are times that you could have a small leak and not smell an odor at all. You will need to pay attention to other signs that will also demonstrate a gas leak.
Keep in mind that when the gas works properly, the flame should be a bright blue color. When the color of the flame is mostly yellow or orange, this usually means that there could be a small leak in your oven.
Those who own a gas oven suggest that purchasing a gas leak detector is the best way to ensure you do not have a leak. Keeping this near the oven at all times will show you whether or not your gas oven is working in the best conditions.
It is important to note that while having a carbon monoxide detector is vital, it may not indicate that you have a gas leak in your gas oven. This is why knowing what other signs of a leak may be.
Naturally, if you or other people in the home are having headaches or any other symptoms that are unusual, you could be suffering from the side effects of a gas leak. If this is the case, you should stop using the oven and leave the home until you have a professional check it out.
How Do You Get Rid of the Oven’s Gas Smell?
Getting rid of the gas smell that was caused by a leak from your gas oven can be a challenge. In most cases, the best way to accomplish this is to open all the windows in your home to allow fresh air to circulate thus expelling the gas odor.
You should keep in mind that if you notice a gas leak, the best thing to do is to open doors and windows and leave the home to call the utility company’s emergency response line. In some cases, if you know where the emergency gas shut-off is, you can do that to keep any further gas from entering your home.
Typically, following a gas leak, the unpleasant odor tends to linger inside your home for some time. Once the professionals have assured you that it is safe to be in your home, it may be best to keep your windows open. This as well as the use of fans can sometimes be the only way to ensure the smell is gone completely.
Some suggestions recommend once the leak has been fixed, you can put orange peels and cinnamon sticks in a pan of water on the stove. This is an effective way to dispel the lingering odor of the gas in your home.
If the gas smell persists, you may discover that it is due to the smell that has seeped into your porous furniture or clothing. Cleaning these items with a mixture of baking soda and water can help alleviate the smell.
Other than the initial smell and the case of a gas leak, you should never smell a gas-like odor coming from your gas oven. These ovens are designed to be perfectly safe to use in the home and are often preferred by many people.
Should I Smell Gas When My Oven is Turned Off?
While a slight and temporary smell of gas is considered normal when the oven is first turned on, you should not smell gas when the oven is turned off. Any lingering smell of gas could indicate that there is a leak in the gas valve or line that needs to be inspected by a professional.
If you smell gas when your oven is off, you should heed the instructions previously mentioned and exit your home immediately. It is important to understand that while you are exiting, it is advisable to open doors and windows but be warned not to turn on any lights or touch anything that uses electricity.
In older gas stoves, the pilot light going out can cause some odor of gas to give you a warning that this has happened. It is advisable that if you own an older stove such as this, you should have it checked regularly to ensure that it is working properly.
Newer gas ovens come equipped with an ignition switch that keeps the pilot light from being on all the time. When you are ready to use the oven, you hit the switch and the pilot light tells the oven to come on. So, in the case of a newer oven, you should not smell gas if your oven has been turned off.
Why Does My Gas Oven Smell Like Burning Plastic?
It isn’t uncommon for a gas oven to smell like burning plastic when it’s first installed due to the insulation around the oven. When high temperatures are introduced to this or any chemicals that are left after manufacturing, a burning smell can be detected.
In most cases, this plastic burning smell goes away after a few uses of the gas oven. If it is the insulation that has caused the odor, then once it has been used several times, it adjusts to the extreme temperature.
Sometimes during manufacturing, chemicals or oils are left on the surface of the gas oven that can cause an odor to emit when it is turned on the first few times. These oils or chemicals, which may also cause smoke, will usually burn off after a while. Some people suggest turning the oven up to a higher temperature for a while after you first install the oven.
If your oven is not new, and you smell a plastic odor when the oven is on, this could indicate that either plastic somewhere in the oven is burning or that you have a faulty wiring issue that needs to be addressed quickly.