i get a faint gas smell near my range when the oven is preheating, but it goes away after it lights.

— asked by Casey

Quick answer: A small, normal purge of gas before ignition, or a very minor leak at the oven burner valve connection. The smell should be brief (2-3 seconds).

Diagnosis

A small, normal purge of gas before ignition, or a very minor leak at the oven burner valve connection. The smell should be brief (2-3 seconds).

How to Fix It

Confirm it's only during the ignition cycle.
1. Do not use the oven. Turn the oven knob to off.
2. Conduct a leak check: mix dish soap and water and brush it onto the gas line connection at the back of the range and where the oven burner tube meets the valve.
3. Have a professional check the oven safety valve and igniter alignment if bubbles form or the smell is prolonged.

If That Didn't Work

The oven door seal might be compromised, allowing a tiny amount of unburned gas from the ignition sequence to escape into the room before combustion is stable. Inspect the seal for gaps or damage.

Heads Up

Any continuous gas smell is an emergency—turn off the gas shut-off valve behind the range, open windows, and call for service. The brief smell at the *start* of preheat is common with standing pilot systems, but this model uses electronic ignition, so it should be minimal.

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