In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our kitchens are the heart of our homes, where culinary creations come to life, and delectable aromas fill the air.
Yet, as much as we rely on our trusty gas ovens to whip up mouthwatering dishes, they can sometimes surprise us with unexpected noises that leave us bewildered and concerned. One particularly disconcerting scenario that some home chefs have encountered is when their gas oven starts to sound like a blowtorch.
While gas ovens are generally reliable and safe appliances, encountering unusual noises can be alarming for anyone. It’s natural to wonder if there’s something wrong with the oven or if it poses a potential safety hazard.
If your gas oven sounds like a blowtorch, below are some of the best ways to fix this problem.
In a brief overview, the possible culprits, in this case, could be delayed ignition, too much air, the ignitor probably isn’t lined up well.
It could also mean that you need gas pressure regulator replacement or adjustment.
However, to fix this problem, we need to first understand how the gas oven works.
Gas Oven Sounds Like a Blowtorch Causes
While you may not be in a position to fix the problem, knowing which part is faulty will help you make an informed decision on whether to repair or wait until you get a new oven.
There are many reasons why your gas oven sounds like a blowtorch. These include:
1. Dirty or Clogged Burner
Accumulated debris, grease, or food particles can obstruct the oven burner’s openings, disrupting the flame’s even distribution and causing unusual noises.
Regularly clean the burner area thoroughly, and if you encounter stubborn residue, use a non-abrasive cleaner. Avoid using metal objects that could damage the burner.
Symptom: You may notice uneven flames and a loud roaring when the burner is clogged or dirty.
Troubleshooting:
- Please turn off the oven and ensure it has thoroughly cooled down before proceeding.
- Carefully remove the burner from its position.
- Use a soft brush or compressed air to clean the burner thoroughly, ensuring all openings are clear of debris, food particles, and grease.
- Reinstall the burner securely and test the oven.
2. Incorrect Air-to-Gas Ratio
The air-to-gas ratio refers to the balance between the amount of air and gas being supplied to the oven’s burner for combustion. Several culprits cause incorrect air-to-gas ratios. They include clogged burner ports, damaged or misaligned burners, malfunctioning gas regulators, or improper installation.
- A blowtorch-like sound due to an imbalanced mixture of air and gas.
- Inefficient combustion: If there is not enough air for the amount of gas being supplied, incomplete combustion occurs. This means the gas doesn’t burn completely, leading to inefficient fuel use and potentially producing harmful byproducts like carbon monoxide.
- Sooting: Incomplete combustion can result in the production of soot, which is a black, powdery substance. Sooting can accumulate inside the oven and on the burner, reducing heat output and uneven heating. It can also contaminate food and affect its taste.
- Yellow or floating flame: An imbalanced air-to-gas ratio can cause the flame in the oven to become yellow or unstable. A properly balanced flame with a small, steady yellow tip should be primarily blue. A yellow or floating flame indicates incomplete combustion and a potential safety hazard.
Troubleshooting
- Consult the oven’s user manual to locate the air shutter. It is usually found near the burner.
- Gradually adjust the air shutter to achieve the correct air-to-gas ratio. Even a slight adjustment can significantly affect the flame’s appearance and sound.
- If you’re unsure about adjusting the air shutter, it’s best to consult a professional technician to avoid potential hazards.
3. Gas Pressure Problems
Maintaining the correct gas pressure is crucial for adequately functioning your gas oven. Any gas supply or pressure regulator issues can cause irregular ignition and flame size fluctuations, resulting in blowtorch-like sounds.
To address this, contact your gas company to check and adjust the gas pressure to meet the manufacturer’s specifications for your oven model.
- High Gas Pressure: Symptom: Excessive noise and erratic flame behavior. High gas pressure requires the expertise of a qualified gas technician. Contact your gas supplier or a certified technician to measure and adjust the gas pressure to the correct level.
- Low Gas Pressure: Symptom: Weak flames and a whistling sound. Contact your gas supplier to check for any issues with your area’s gas supply. A professional technician should inspect and adjust the gas pressure regulator if the gas supply is normal.
4. Faulty Ignition System
The oven’s igniter is a critical component responsible for lighting the gas and initiating the heating process. Over time, the igniter may accumulate dirt, wear out, or develop cracks, leading to delayed ignition and a noticeable “whoosh” sound when the gas finally ignites.
Regularly inspect the igniter and clean it gently using a soft brush. If the igniter is damaged, replacing it with a compatible part recommended by your oven’s manufacturer is essential.
- Delayed Ignition: A whooshing sound upon ignition and delayed flame appearance. Troubleshooting:
- Ensure the igniter is clean and free from any debris. If necessary, gently clean it with a soft cloth.
Verify that the igniter is correctly positioned to receive the gas flow.
- If the issue persists, contact a qualified technician to examine and repair the ignition system.
5. Burner Alignment
A misaligned oven burner can lead to an improper flame pattern, contributing to the blowtorch sound. Carefully inspect the alignment of the burner and ensure it sits securely on its support bracket. If you notice any misalignment, gently reposition the burner to ensure it functions correctly.
Improper Burner Alignment: Symptom: Uneven flames and a loud, rushing noise. Troubleshooting:
- Please turn off the oven and allow it to cool down before proceeding.
- Check the alignment of the burner and ensure it is sitting correctly in its designated position.
- Make necessary adjustments to align the burner accurately.
6. Gas Valve Problems
Gas valve problems in a gas oven can cause various issues with the oven’s operation. The gas valve is a critical component controlling gas flow to the oven’s burners. If the gas valve malfunctions or develops issues, it can lead to several common problems: the flame burning like a blowtorch.
Here are some other signs of gas valve problems in a gas oven:
- Gas smell: One of the most noticeable signs of a gas valve problem is the presence of a gas odor. If you detect the smell of gas around the oven or in the kitchen, it’s crucial to act immediately. A gas leak can be hazardous and poses a safety risk. Turn off the gas supply and contact a professional technician for inspection and repair.
- Ignition problems: A faulty gas valve can result in difficulties with igniting the oven burners. You may hear clicking sounds, indicating that the igniter is trying to light the gas, but the gas fails to ignite or takes an unusually long time. This may happen consistently or intermittently.
- Inconsistent flame: The gas valve regulates the gas flow to the oven burners, determining the size and intensity of the flame. If the gas valve malfunctions, the flame may be inconsistent, either too weak or too strong. An uneven flame can lead to uneven cooking or baking.
- Oven not turning off: In some cases, the gas valve might fail to close completely, causing the oven to stay on even after turning it off. This situation can be dangerous and require immediate attention from a professional technician.
7. Flame Spreading Issues
Ideally, the oven flame should remain steady and contained within the burner area. If it spreads beyond the designated region, it can cause loud noises.
Regularly check the flame pattern; if required, adjust the burner or seek professional assistance to rectify any spreading issues.
8. Ventilation Problems
Proper oven ventilation is critical for ensuring safe gas combustion. Inadequate ventilation can lead to gas buildup before ignition, resulting in a blowtorch-like sound when the gas eventually ignites.
Ensure the oven’s ventilation system is clean, unobstructed, and well-maintained.
9. Flame Supervisory Device (FSD)
In gas ovens, a Flame Supervisory Device (FSD) is a safety feature designed to monitor the presence of a flame and ensure that the gas supply is shut off if the flame goes out unexpectedly. The FSD is a crucial safety mechanism, as it helps prevent the accumulation of unburned gas, which could lead to potential gas leaks or dangerous situations.
The operation of an FSD typically involves a thermocouple or a flame sensor placed near the burner or pilot flame. When the oven is turned on, the gas supply opens and the pilot flame is ignited.
The thermocouple or flame sensor constantly monitors the presence of the pilot flame.
If the pilot flame goes out due to any reason, such as a draft or an issue with the gas supply, the temperature around the thermocouple or sensor drops. This decrease in temperature causes the thermocouple to generate a small electric voltage or triggers the flame sensor.
The voltage signal or detection from the flame sensor is then sent to a safety valve in the gas supply line. If the safety system detects the absence of a flame, it closes the gas valve to prevent any further flow of gas into the oven.
This action cuts off the gas supply, reducing the risk of unburned gas filling the oven and surrounding area, which could be a potential fire hazard or lead to the release of harmful gas into the environment.
If the FSD is not opening correctly, it is starving the oven burner of gas, so the delayed ignition causes the noise.
It may be hard to diagnose an FSD problem, so it is always wise to engage a professional. Just take the steps you can without having to open the oven and if it doesn’t work, let a professional troubleshoot and come up with a solution.
10. Loose Components
Loose or damaged components within the oven, such as burner caps, grates, or internal panels, can create vibrations and strange noises during operation.
Regularly inspect all accessible components and tighten any loose parts to minimize noise sources.
Many more unusual sounds could indicate a more severe problem.
Some of these problems include:
Roaring Sounds
There are often produced when there is too much gas getting into the oven.
You can control this through the gas regulator in the oven or at the meter.
The venturi tube in the burner could also be allowing too much secondary air supply.
This can be easily regulated through the air shutter, but you should careful not to close it too much; otherwise, you will have yellow tips.
Popping Sound
If you hear some popping sound, the burner cap could be misaligned, or some liquid may have found its way into the burner cap or the burner.
You may also have some dirt blocking the burner orifices.
The popping sound could also indicate a damaged igniter or igniter wire.
Other common causes of this noise include leakage in the gas connections, blocked injector nipple, and a damaged gasket.
Whooshing sound
If the glow bar doesn’t get ignited before the gas is released, you may hear some whooshing sound. This sound is produced when the glow bar finally ignites.
Basically, this problem results in a minor explosion. To solve this problem, just replace the glow bar igniter. The whooshing sound could also be coming from the top burners. When the gas regulator is worn out, the top burner may start misbehaving.
Puffing Sound
This often happens if there is too much gas getting from the bake burner before it is ignited. Check the gas valve and get a replacement if it is faulty.
Booming Sound
If you hear some booming sound when the oven is pre-heating, delaying ignition could be the issue.
This boom is when the accumulated gas finally ignites. When you experience the booming sound, remove any dirt, grime, and grease from the ignitor.
In most instances, a thorough clean is all it takes to resolve this problem.
Clicking Noise
A clicking noise is nothing to worry about. The oven can continue clicking even when you have shut the gas off.
The clicking can be caused by a misaligned burner cap, some moisture lingering mostly after a spill, and some food debris blocking the ignitor.
If the problem persists after realigning the burner cap and cleaning the cooktop, you may need to replace the ignition switch, the ignitor, or the spark module.
Final thoughts
A gas oven making blowtorch-like sounds is a cause for concern, but with the help of this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, you can identify and resolve the underlying issues effectively.
Regular maintenance and timely troubleshooting are essential for ensuring the oven’s performance and the safety of everyone in the household.
However, if you are uncertain about any step or encounter difficulties in fixing the problem yourself, always seek assistance from a professional gas technician to avoid potential risks associated with gas appliances.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flame_supervision_device
- https://www.cookerspareparts.com/news/post/flame-supervision-device-information
- https://www.hunker.com/13409007/is-it-normal-to-hear-the-gas-running-in-a-gas-oven
- https://myappliancerepairnaperville.com/gas-oven-blowtorch-sound/
- https://danmarcappliance.com/oven-repair/strange-oven-noises-and-what-they-mean/
Meet Mike O’Connor, (a DIY enthusiast), living in Cincinnati, a city ranked as the noisiest in the USA.
As a work from home dad, I have a first hand experience of how noise can truly affect your well being.
Soundproofing isn’t something that should be taken as a hobby, it should be a skill that every homeowner should be equipped with.
Most of the work documented on this blog comes from purely first hand experience, and the products recommended work as indicated.
I put the oven on just now at 400 degrees ,pre -heat . Now the temperature is at 400degrees no noises. The bars either side of the oven glowed when I first put it on. It’s been 5mins still no noises like a blow torch.I will leave the oven on for an hour an hour and see what happens.