Gas ovens are not difficult to operate. Once you have turned the temperature knob to the desired setting, all you have to do is wait a few minutes for it to pre-heat before sliding your dish into the oven. But if your meal is left uncooked even after your cooking time has expired, there could be an issue with the oven’s heating mechanism and you’ll want to address it.

Do not attempt to identify the problem yourself if you smell gas while the oven is shut off. If that is the case, contact a professional repair service immediately. With that said, there are a few troubleshooting methods to consider should your gas oven fail to heat.

First, test the burners on the stovetop. If no flame is produced, check the supply valve, unless your stove operates on LP gas and the tank level needs to be checked instead.

Next, open the door of the oven’s broiler section and check the oven’s inner workings. The oven burner and ignition system are located in the upper portion of the broiler chamber. Take a moment to inspect the burner tube for obstructions or holes from corrosion or overheating.

You’ll also want to determine the type of ignition system and then test it. Use a flashlight and identify whether your stove is a pilot light system or a glow ignition system. For a pilot light system, hold a match to the flame aperture for at least 10 seconds. If the flame goes out, the issue could be with the thermocouple.

For pilot ignition systems – or if the pilot light is functioning – turn on the oven and watch the burner tube. If the burner tube creates no flame or a weak flame and fails to heat, the safety valve could be faulty.

For best practices, refer to your owner’s manual for exact instructions on how to inspect the oven. If there are concerns at all for your safety, your best option is to call a professional.