Maintenance Guide for Gas Ovens and Ranges

Some of the most commonly-used appliances in a given home will often be gas-powered, and some of the chief examples here are appliances used for heating and cooking food. Many homes will have their entire stove and oven setup (or their range) powered by gas, and if this is the case in your home, knowing some of the simple maintenance approaches for these items will often pay off.

At Dick Kearsley Service Center, we're happy to offer numerous forms of appliance repair and maintenance services to clients around Utah, including gas appliance maintenance for any gas-powered items in your home. And while certain areas of significant repair or maintenance will require assistance from our professionals, there are many other forms of basic gas stove, oven and range maintenance you can often carry out on your own. Here's a primer on some of the most important areas to cover here to ensure that your gas appliances work efficiently and last a long time.

Defining Ovens, Stoves and Ranges

Because terminology definitions may vary somewhat between people, and because we don't want our readers to be confused, let's quickly distinguish between stoves, ovens and ranges. A stove is a single appliance that contains both burners and an oven in one unit; these can often be powered by gas or electricity. An oven is a separate unit from the stove, and it's typically used for baking and roasting (it's also usually powered by either gas or electricity).

A range, on the other hand, is a single appliance that combines both the stove and oven in one unit, but it's usually only powered by gas. This is a very common configuration in many homes, though there are still other possibilities out there as well.

The Benefits of Regular Gas Appliance Maintenance

As most homeowners who have installed a gas-powered appliance know, regular maintenance on these items can be a bit more involved than with their electric counterparts. That said, no matter what type of gas appliance you may have in your home, regular maintenance is a must in order to ensure that it runs safely and efficiently for many years to come.

Our next several sections will go over some key gas range and oven maintenance approaches to always have an eye on.

Clean and Inspect Burners Regularly

One of the most important areas to tackle in terms of gas oven and range maintenance is the burners themselves, including both on the stovetop portion as well as in the bottom of the oven.

Regularly cleaning these portions of your appliance helps ensure that it's working without burning excess fuel or putting out inefficiently low heat levels.

You'll want to visually inspect each burner for any buildup or clogs, and you may need to remove them to get a better look. If there are clogs here, use something like a pipe cleaner to gently scrub away any debris without damaging the burner itself. Additionally, if there's excess corrosion on the burners, you can try using some fine steel wool and rubbing alcohol to gently scrub it away.

Inspect the Oven Door Seal

Another key aspect of gas oven and range maintenance is regularly inspecting the oven door seal. This is the rubber or silicone gasket that runs around the perimeter of your oven door, and its main job is to keep heat inside while baking - but if it's not in good condition, it won't be able to do its job properly.

Check the seal to make sure that it's not cracked or deteriorating, and if you see any issues here, replace the seal right away.

Deep Cleaning Grates

As you know, when you cook on the burners of your stovetop, food can often get stuck onto the grates. This residue buildup can lead to inefficient heating and poor burner performance, so it's important to regularly clean these components as well.

To do this, try using a combination of hot water and dish soap with a sturdy brush or scrubber. If the grates are especially dirty, you can also try boiling them in water for a few minutes and then scrubbing off any extra debris with a brush or sponge.

Clean Regularly - But Avoid Harsh Chemicals

You should be cleaning your gas oven and range regularly to maintain efficiency, but it's important to avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbers for this task. Doing so can damage the finish of the appliance as well as potentially corroding its internal components over time - so stick with hot water and dish soap whenever possible.

Check Gas Connections

Finally, you'll want to occasionally check your gas oven's connections to make sure that they're secure and not leaking any gas. This is a job best done by a trained professional, as it involves working with potentially hazardous materials.

That said, if you ever notice any strange smells or hear hissing around your gas appliance, turn off the gas and call a technician right away.

Gas ovens and ranges can be powerful tools when it comes to heating and cooking food, but they require more care and maintenance than their electric counterparts. By following the tips outlined in this article, you'll be able to keep your gas range running efficiently for years to come - so don't neglect it!

For more here, or to learn about any of our appliance repair services for Utah clients, speak to our team at Dick Kearsley Service Center today.