All gas ovens should have safety devices shut off the gas flow in case the pilot light goes off. An electrical switch, or a sensing tube, attached the bellows that controls gas flow within the supplied line can do the job. If you have an older range that lacks such a safety feature, contact your local gas company for installation information. This is not a don’t do it -yourself project, however- only an authorized technician should work with the fuel-related components of a gas range.

Many gas ranges feature an electric timer, much like the kind found on many electric ranges. The timer circuit is connected into the circuit of the oven thermostat. When the timer is in its off position, no power goes to the thermostat; the thermostat, therefore, cannot open the valve to allow gas to flow to the oven burner. As you can see, gas ranges do require some electricity, but all you need do is plug, the range into a standard 115-volt outlet. Since only the oven valve, tinier, and light are electrically powered, a gas range consumes very little current. Several manufacturers make gas ranges that have a special coating on the inside of the oven liner to provide continuous-cleaning action. This coating
Contains a catalyst which reacts with food soils and causes them to decompose at normal cooking temperatures. Continuous-cleaning finishes require special consideration, and you must follow the manufacturer's instructions when caring for such ovens. For example, you must never use a commercial oven cleaner on them.

Self-cleaning ovens in gas ranges operate exactly like self-cleaning ovens in electric ranges. The only difference is that the gas burner rather than and electric heating element serves as the heat source. Gas ranges require little in the way of service. Their electrical components timer, thermostat, and valve are subject to failure, but they rarely do fail. Just make sure that the timer is set to a manual or to an operating position when you want to use the oven. Gas burners require cleaning from time to time. Before you perform any sort of service procedure, however, be sure that you shut off the gas supply and unplug the range. You can disassemble many burners, soak them in hot soapy water, and then brush them with an old toothbrush to remove food particles.

If you notice that a burner is starting to clog, you can prevent the clog from worsening by cleaning the blocked orifice with a wooden toothpick. Likewise, if you see that the heat output from a particular burner is reduced below its normal level use only a soft object (like a toothpick) for cleaning.

Since metallic objects can enlarge the orifice openings, they should not be used for cleaning. Should a pilot light become clogged, it might be necessary to unscrew the orifice tip itself and clean the orifice from the inside. The opening in the orifice is generally too small to be cleaned from the outside.

If a burner is hesitant when you turn on the gas supply, check to be sure that the pilot flame is adjusted correctly and that the connecting tubes from the pilot to burner are in place. Again, turn off the gas supply and pull the plug before you attempt any gas range repair.

If you smell a gas leak, be sure to call a technician immediately to inspect the range, and do not use the range until it has been examined thoroughly. Open the windows to provide plenty of ventilation, and extinguish any open flames. Natural gas itself has no odor, but the gas company adds an artificial odor to help you detect leaks in gas lines. A leak indicates a situation that is potentially very hazardous.

Should you ever smell raw gas in your home, call in professional service personnel immediately