I know nothing about gas stoves!! Help!!

**AnW819** · 03-12-2010, 08:08 PM

Dh and I moved into our apartment today and we have a gas stove. DH told me how to turn it on and such but what I dont understand is even when its off, and been off for hours I can hold my hand over the stove/burner thing and still feel the slightest bit of heat. Is that still gas coming out?? The stove is the same way...a very slight bit warm but the stove was never turned on.

Is this normal??

Thanks!!

**PB&J** · 03-12-2010, 08:46 PM

Most likely it is the pilot light. Does it go 'click click click' when you turn it on? If not, it probably has a pilot light which is just a small flame that stays lit all the time.

Our oven is older and has a pilot light. If I open the broiler, I can see a tiny flame and it does stay warm. (Perfect for bread rising!) But the stovetop is new and has an electronic ignition (the click click click sound) so it doesn't have a pilot that stays lit all the time.

**AnW819** · 03-12-2010, 08:51 PM

There is no click click noise (I Know what you are talking about) but I believe there is an oven pilot light...thanks!!

**Ceashels** · 03-12-2010, 10:06 PM

I love cooking on a gas stove and we have an automatic ignition too (I would much prefer the pilot light). For safety purposes: learn how to relight the pilot including venting the area if there is a gas build up, and know how to turn the gas line valve OFF if there is an emergency and the valve is in your apartment.

Enjoy your kitchen!

**Libby** · 03-12-2010, 11:03 PM

Ashley - you will learn to love cooking on your gas stove...I find things cook more even and faster vs electric.

**Michelle68** · 03-12-2010, 11:57 PM

We also have a gas stove and I really had to get used to cooking on it when we bought our house years ago. Now I much prefer it to electric. I agree with Ceashels about learning to relight the pilot. Good luck and congrats on the new apartment!

**ladytoysdream** · 03-13-2010, 07:14 AM

My original gas stove in this house had the pilot lights. Four yrs ago, this spring we got one with 5 burners ( griddle in the center ), and it has the clickers. Oven has the glow bar, so without electric, that part does not turn on. I really like propane stoves

If your apartment does not have a carbon monoxide alarm, you should get one.
Our's was under $ 20 and we found it at Walmart.
N.Y. just passed a law that went into effect end of Feb this year, that all homes need to have these alarms.

**2ndGenGranola** · 03-13-2010, 07:20 AM

I love cooking with gas so much more than electric. I would love to get rid of the stove I have, mine is a lemon but I still like gas. Those with a pilot light do stay warm. It is nothing to be worried about but do use caution and not put items on top of the stove. With a pilot light, it could be warm enough to dehydrate!

**Ceashels** · 03-13-2010, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by 2ndGenGranola

Those with a pilot light do stay warm. It is nothing to be worried about but do use caution and not put items on top of the stove. With a pilot light, it could be warm enough to dehydrate!

Now that would be a dehydration method to tap into!!! hehehe

**RaineyDaye** · 03-13-2010, 05:53 PM

I think you will like your gas stove. I love gas stoves - even though I dislike the particular one I have now. Ever notice that in all the cooking shows, they're cooking on gas stoves?

**frugalfoster** · 03-13-2010, 06:34 PM

Yes Ash....I'm sure it's the pilot light.... How are things going? Do you have boxes and boxes of stuff to put away??? You mentioned that you were going to have company today..how'd that go??

**AnW819** · 03-13-2010, 07:47 PM

Company is here and all boxes and stuff is put away! I am awesome!!!

And thanks everyone!

**frugalfoster** · 03-13-2010, 08:36 PM

Way to go girl!!!!

**Ceashels** · 03-13-2010, 10:02 PM

You are awesome! Congratulations on the organizing and unpacking so quickly! I'm so envious.

**tripleb** · 03-13-2010, 10:18 PM

I love gas stoves!! Can hardly wait to move to our new house as that will be the first thing I get. I grew up with a gas stove and it was always nice when the power went out. Mom would bake bread and homemade soup! (we had the pilot light ones). You will love it once you get used to it!