How to Detect a Gas Leak

Learning how to detect a gas leak early can save you and your family’s lives. According to the Gas Safe Register, there had been 31 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries in the last three years that resulted from gas leaks. They also said that one in every six homes they have inspected had one unsafe appliance. Gas leaks are serious and can be fatal. In addition to the deadly carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks can also cause house fires and gas explosions. Appliances that are not properly installed or maintained usually lead to a gas leak. However, if you know how to detect a gas leak early, you can leave your home before the situation gets worse. Such is the story of the gas explosion that happened in Upper Arlington, OH earlier this year. In March of this year, the police received a call around 12:46 pm from the neighbor of the home that would eventually explode in two hours. How to detect a gas leak: be wary of the following signs A rotten egg odor. Discolored or dead vegetation over or near the pipeline. A hissing, whistling or roaring sound near a gas appliance or pipeline. Dirt or debris being blown into the air. Persistent bubbles in streams, ponds or wet areas. Flames (if a leak has ignited). If you detect a gas leak, evacuate the area immediately and warn others not to enter the area. From a safe location, call the police, fire department or your local gas company. At the same time, DO NOT: turn natural gas valves on or off turn any electric switch on...

Pros and Cons of Using a Gas Stove

Are you using a gas stove? Or perhaps planning to buy one? The stove is the center of any kitchen, and can be one of your biggest investments in your home appliances. While purchasing a new stove can get expensive – depending on the type, model, features and brand – it can last for a long time if used and maintained properly. You can also make the spend worth it by buying one that is most suited for your needs. While stoves come in electric and gas types, gas stoves are more commonly used in the UK. This is because even though gas stoves are usually more expensive than their electric counterparts, they are generally more cost efficient to use and maintain. Gas stove ranges are one of the most popular types because they combine the benefits of having a burner flame and oven for baking. (read more about troubleshooting a gas range) If you are thinking about making the purchase, the pros and cons of using a gas stove listed below may help you make that decision. PROS It is easier to precisely control the temperature to allow better culinary effect. It does not need power supply allowing you to cook – and bake, if you are using a gas range – even during a power outage. It heats up and cools down faster than electric stoves and are therefore more efficient to use. Because natural gas is inexpensive and abundantly available, natural gas stoves are less expensive to operate. Using a gas stove leaves less ambient heat to the rest of the kitchen. There is no waiting time; heat...

How To Clean Your Stovetop

Learning how to clean your stovetop properly will help keep your stove in good condition.   Most common gas range problems can, in fact, get fixed quite easily. One example of this is when your burners don’t work. (Read more about how to deal with faulty gas rang burners here.) Typically, the main cause of faulty stove burners is build up of food and dirt that block the holes in the burner. This can easily be resolved by cleaning the stove. However, knowing how to clean you stovetop properly and safely is important.   Follow our tips below on how to clean your stovetop and make sure your burners are dirt free all the time. Turn off the burners and make sure they have completely cooled off before starting. Make a soapy mixture by filling your sink with hot water and adding ample amount of liquid dishwashing soap. Remove the grates, surface burners and knobs. Soak them in the soapy mixture long enough for the grease to be easily removed. While soaking, scrape off dried food on the surface of the stove. Use a plastic knife or spatula. Metal scrapers can scratch the surface of the stove. Wipe off the dirt you scraped off using a damp cloth. Mix two parts baking soda with one part water. Use this paste and a wet rag to scrub away stubborn dirt that did not come off right away. Pour a small amount of dishwashing soap on a cloth or sponge and wet with water. Squeeze most of the water out so it doesn’t drip all over your stove. Wipe the range clean....

Gas Stove Burner Not Working

Learn how to do a few DIY tricks if your problem is a gas stove burner not working.   Any engineer or technician will tell you that a gas stove burner not working is one of the most common gas range problems. As a home owner, you have surely experienced at least one burner breaking at one point. While troubleshooting a gas range may seem like such a feat, there are really basic steps that you can take to fix a gas stove burner not working.   How to Fix a Gas Stove Burner Not Working Try turning the burner on. If it does not spark, but you hear sparking in the other burners, the non- working burner is probably clogged with dirt and food particles that have accumulated. Making sure that the burner is completely cooled, remove it and clean it thoroughly. Use a toothpick to poke through the orifices to remove any particles that may be clogging them. If this does not fix the problem, then the igniter or burner switch is probably worn out and need to be replaced. If your stove has several burners and none of them are working, check to make sure the pilot light is on (if your stove has one). Ignition systems for gas stoves are powered by electricity. Make sure the unit is plugged in. The plug is usually located behind a freestanding range or at the back of the cabinet right below a built in stove. Also make sure that your circuit breaker is on or that it has not been tripped. Check to make sure you have sufficient...

Troubleshooting a Gas Range

Troubleshooting a gas range may sound like an impossible task. However with the help of a few simple tips, you can fix the most common gas range problems by yourself in no time.   Your stove / range / oven is one of the most important appliances in your home. Cooking your daily meals is one of the things your family surely appreciates and enjoys. Those special home made birthday cakes or warm casseroles in the winter are surely etched in your family’s memory forever. Your cooking appliances are even more critical to you if you use them for business. A broken stove or range is surely frustrating, especially when it happens when you are in the middle of cooking something or there is a special occasion being celebrated. Learning a few techniques in troubleshooting a gas range is the answer to this dilemma.   Troubleshooting a Gas Range In fact, troubleshooting a gas range is not all that hard. You have to remember a few things though. One, you are working on a gas appliance and you must take all necessary precautions at all times to avoid accidents and risking your and your family’s safety. Second, if you are not sure about what to do, have no previous experience working on gas ranges or gas appliances, or if you don’t feel confident that you can do the job seamlessly, call for a qualified gas safe registered engineer (read more about how to check if your engineer is gas safe registered). Top / surface burner won’t light – If your stove has an electric igniter, make sure it is plugged in....

Gas Oven Buying Guide

Read our gas oven buying guide before going shopping and get some useful tips.   An oven is an essential appliance in any kitchen. Whether you are replacing your old stove or buying one for your new home, you surely want to buy one that will be best for your family’s needs and is worth your money. Gone are the days when you only have two options for your oven: one that will attach to a gas line and another to an electric socket. Ovens are not cheap either, and you want to buy the right one the first time. Read our gas oven buying guide below and get tips from our experts.   Gas Oven Buying Guide Our gas oven buying guide is full of helpful tips for when you go shopping. Consider the size. Do not immediately buy the biggest and shiniest. Always consider whether your new oven will fit into your kitchen, leaving you with enough room to work in the area. If you bake a lot and have the space, double ovens will be a good choice. There are also extra wide ovens available. Other oven features to consider with your kitchen size are the internal vs external grills, side doors and built in vs freestanding types. Gas or electric. Decide what fuel you want to use. Electric ovens are generally less expensive, but gas ovens are less expensive to operate. While electric ovens have more functions and can bake more evenly, gas ovens do not dry out the food. Built in or freestanding. Based on your kitchen layout and design, decide if you will get...