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Simple Repairs and Adjustments
Repairing and maintaining your stove can seem intimidating, especially if you have a gas model. But with a little care, you can handle some simple repairs and adjustments.

Adjusting A Gas Pilot Light
Older gas ranges have burners that are ignited by a pilot light, a small flame that burns continuously. (Many newer gas ranges offer safe, energy-saving electronic, or "pilotless," ignition. An igniter produces a spark or enough heat to ignite the burner flame -- instead of a pilot light.) If the pilot light is weak, the burners may take longer than necessary to ignite. If the flame is too strong, you are wasting gas. The flame in the pilot should be about 1/4 to 3/8 inches high, with a sharp blue cone. Most cooktop burners are controlled by a single pilot light under the range top. First, find the pilot light, and then look along the tube that supplies it with gas for an adjusting screw. With a screwdriver, move the screw in small increments until the flame is properly sized. To raise the flame height turn the screw counterclockwise. To adjust the pilot light for the oven burner, remove the bottom cover from the oven. Turn the adjusting screw located on the safety valve or under the thermostat knob to correct the flame size. If you can't find an adjusting screw, check the owner's manual or call for service on the unit.

A Gas Range That Won't Light
The cooktop burners and the oven are ignited by separate pilot lights. If either pilot light is out, relight it. If both pilot lights are out and will not light, the gas supply is probably cut off. Check that the valve of the gas line is open; it may be located in back of the range or under the cooktop. A gas valve is open when the handle is pointing in the same direction as the pipe. If you have propane, the tank may be empty or the tank valve may be closed. Call your supplier for assistance.

If you had some work done recently on gas lines or appliances, it is possible that the main valve was shut off. Call your gas company to turn the gas back on and check all pilot lights. If the range seems to be getting gas, but still will not work, call for service.

A Pilot Light That Keeps Going Out
If the pilot flame ignites, but quickly goes out, try increasing the gas flow to the pilot by turning the adjusting screw. If the flame is the right height, change the gas/air mixture. If the problem persists, look for drafts in the house that may be blowing the flame out. Open windows nearby or slamming doors (especially in a tightly weatherproofed house) may be the problem. The flame in a gas burner is produced by a careful blend of gas and air. If the mixture is not correct, the flame will not burn hot enough. Look for a uniform circle of flames that are 1 inch high. Each flame should be steady and mostly blue, tapering to a small, but distinct orange tip. Air shutters on burner tubes regulate the gas-air mixture and can be adjusted on each burner (below). Begin by lifting or removing the range top and locating the air shutter. Turn the burner on High and open the shutter until the flame is noisy and unsteady. Then close the shutter slowly to produce the desired blue flames. There should be a safe distance between flame and shutter, but be careful working around open flames. When you have a good flame, tighten the retaining screw.

A Pilotless Gas Range That Won't Light
The igniter on a pilotless range requires electricity to work. If your range won't light, make sure that the stove is plugged in and that the circuit breaker isn't tripped or the fuse blown. Turn on a burner and hold a lit match over it. If it won't ignite, gas is probably not reaching the range. Check to make sure that all gas valves are open. If the burner can be lit with a match, an igniter may be at fault. There are two igniters, each controlling two burners. Lift or remove the range top and then turn on the burners. You should hear a click in the igniter or see sparks. If you don't, the igniter should be cleaned or replaced. Call for service.

Replacing An Oven Light
If the oven light won't turn on, first make sure that the stove is plugged in and that the circuit breaker isn't tripped or the fuse blown. The oven should be off and cooled to room temperature. Most ovens need a 40-watt appliance bulb (not a standard light bulb). These are available at home centers and can be removed and installed like any light bulb. You may have to remove the protective cover in order to access the dead bulb. If the light still won't work, the door switch may need replacement. Unplug the oven and pry the switch from the door frame with a putty knife or screwdriver covered with tape to avoid scratching the surface. Disconnect the wires, take the switch to an appliance store and buy a replacement. Install the new switch. If the problem persists, call for service.

Replacing Elements
If a coil element in an electric cooktop is not working, remove it and insert another element of the same size from the cooktop. If the replacement works, you need to buy a new element. If it doesn't work, call for service. To avoid problems in the future, keep elements and burner drip pans clean and use flat-bottom cookware. There's no need to line drip pans with foil, however; today's chrome or porcelain drip pans are easy to clean. Bake and broil elements in the oven heat poorly if they are bent or pitted. In either case, the best solution is to replace the element. Unplug the range.

Remove the cover, if necessary, and take out the screws holding the element to the wall of the oven. Remove any brackets and pull out the element. Take the element to an appliance store and ask them to check the continuity to verify that the element is bad. If it is, you'll need to install a replacement element.

Changing The Range Hood Light Bulb
Range hoods may contain one or more lights. Some models may use fluorescent lights, others will use incandescent. When changing the light, be sure to check the owner's manual for recommended wattage. If an incandescent bulb burns out frequently, install an appliance bulb. If the light won't work after you've changed the bulbs, make sure that the circuit breaker hasn't been tripped or the fuse is not blown. If the electricity is on and the light still won't work, call for service.