Keeping the pilot flame burning when not needed can increase your gas bill and release carbon monoxide into your home. However, turning off the stove in the wrong way can be a serious risk, as the gas continues to escape causing intoxication and potentially even death. Always follow the stove manufacturer's directions when fiddling with the gas valve or pilot flame to avoid accidents or exposure to carbon monoxide.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Identify the Pilot Flame
Step 1. Open the kitchen windows
Before inspecting the flame closely, it is important to open several windows in the room where the stove is located, to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide accumulating in the environment.
This gas (CO) is odorless and colorless, but poisonous at high levels of exposure. The gas stove contains it, so it is important to turn it off correctly and ensure good air circulation when carrying out this kind of maintenance
Step 2. Display the burners
Gas stoves commonly used in kitchens are typically equipped with two or more pilot lights; one or two heat the surface of the burners located in the upper part and another activates the oven burner.
- To access and see these items, make sure the knobs corresponding to all burners and the oven are in the closed position. If you have recently used the stove, wait for it to cool down for at least an hour, then remove the metal flame-spreader plates and set them aside.
- Run your hands along the front, top and bottom edges of the stove looking for a latch that will allow you to lift the stove top. Make sure that this latch is properly seated and that the panel is raised securely.
Step 3. Identify the pilot lights
Once the burners are exposed, you should see four cylinders (one for each burner) or two (if you have a two-burner stove). You should also notice the main gas line on the left and right side reaching both the upper and lower cylinders.
In the center of the burners there should be two small openings in which the pilot flame is present when the stove is lit; however, you should not see any flame at this time, as you have previously turned all knobs to the "OFF" position
Part 2 of 2: Extinguish the Pilot Flame
Step 1. Consult your stove's owner's manual for the location of the pilot flame extinguishing switch
This element is usually placed along the gas supply pipe inside the stove itself. You should see a small valve or switch with two possible positions: "ON" and "OFF".
Read the manual carefully to make sure you have located the correct command. Maintenance operations on gas systems always require extreme caution and precision; if you are unsure about the valve position, call a licensed technician or the customer service of the stove manufacturer
Step 2. Do not smoke or ignite any flame in the room
Follow these safety rules to avoid explosions or fires while extinguishing the pilot flame. Check once again that the windows are open and that there are no naked flames (such as lighted candles) in the room.
Step 3. Close the gas valve
There should be a lever that you can rotate from the on to off position; by doing so, you should cut off the gas flow to the pilot lights of the stove or oven burners.
Step 4. Make sure you have closed the valve properly
You can't rely on smell (carbon monoxide is odorless) to make sure you've closed the valve. If the house is equipped with a gas detection system, it is likely to be activated in the event of a leak; if you have closed the valve properly and have extinguished the pilot flame correctly, you should not worry about this problem.
- Symptoms of CO poisoning are: headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. If you have been exposed to high levels of this gas, you may experience more serious ailments, such as confusion, vomiting, loss of muscle coordination, fainting, and possibly even death.
- If you complain of such symptoms, you should immediately get out into fresh air; do not stay indoors as you may lose consciousness from gas. Call the fire brigade and report your ailments; You should also see your doctor as soon as possible and let him know that you fear you may have been exposed to CO.
Warnings
- Never use the gas stove to heat the house because it is not designed to increase the temperature of the rooms. If you do, you can cause a fire or a deadly build-up of carbon monoxide.
- Keep the stove and oven clean to avoid a fire from burning grease, as well as other hazards when tinkering with the pilot flame.
