If the question “Why does my stove smell like gas?” is floating through your head, you’re probably concerned and uneasy. For good reason! Let’s find out why.
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Is it Gas That You Smell?
You may have the threshold question of whether that’s actually gas that you’re smelling. Most people are familiar with the smell of gas. It smells a little nasty!
When it is manufactured, gas has an additional chemical added to it to give it a pungent smell. Otherwise natural gas is odorless and colorless. So, in its purely natural state, it can be deadly.
To avoid that disaster, the otherwise odorless substance is given a smell that is comparable to that of rotten-eggs. With a smell this disgusting, it is impossible to miss it, and that is why the additional chemical is added to the gas.
Your brain is wired to associate bad smells with harm or danger.
Without this additional chemical, it would be impossible to detect a gas leak in your home, and this could be detrimental to your health.
Generally, if you smell gas, it isn’t a good thing. So, if your stove smells like gas, this is a clear sign that something is wrong with your stove.
Should My Stove Smell Like Gas?
In one word, no, your stove should not smell like gas. Gas leaks are incredibly dangerous, and they can lead to death. You should be more concerned if your stovetop smells like gas than if your oven smells like gas.
So, if you can smell gas coming from your stove, it means that something is wrong with your stove.
Of course, this something that is wrong doesn’t necessarily have to be disastrous. There are lots of reasons why your stove might smell like gas that can be easily resolved.
For example, if the gas switch for your stove’s burners has been accidentally switched on, but not ignited, you are likely to smell gas coming from the stove. If this has happened for only a few minutes, it should not be a problem. But, if the burner was on but unlit for an extended period of time, that would create a safety hazard.
So, the simple answer is that your stove should not smell like gas, and it certainly shouldn’t smell like gas for any lengthy period. Even when you are using the stove.
Why Does My Stove Smell Like Gas?
If your stove smells like gas, then this is probably because there is a gas leak at some point in the system.
While stoves are carefully designed, there are lots of points throughout the appliance where gas could leak.
These include the burners, that we mentioned earlier, a leak in the line or connections that run through your stove, or a leak in the gas lines that lead the gas from outside to your kitchen.
No matter where the gas is leaking from, this is a bad thing. Gas leaks can be incredibly dangerous for a lot of different reasons.
Not only can it affect your health in a bad way, but it also increases the risk of fire in your home significantly.
But, how can you tell if your stove is leaking gas?
How To Tell if Your Stove is Leaking Gas
Most of the time, the first sign that you will experience that your stove is leaking gas is the smell.
This pungent chemical is added to natural gas to alert people of any potential gas leaks.
Usually, gas will smell like sulfur or rotten eggs, so this is the first thing that will notify you of a potential gas leak.
Something else that could notify you of a gas leak in your home is sound. When there is a gas leak coming from your stove, the gas is typically escaping from a hole in the lines that run the gas from outside through to your kitchen, and then to your stove.
As this gas leaks through the hole, it will produce a hissing or whistling noise, so this is another sign of a gas leak.
Finally, you can often detect a gas leak in your stove by using your sight. To do this, switch on your stove, ignite the gas and pay close attention to the flame.
When you first switch on the burner, there should be a blue flame, which will then change color. But, if there is a gas leak in your stove, the flame will be red or orange as soon as it ignites.
If you observe this, then your stove is likely leaking gas into the air, and this is what is changing the color of the flame.
What to Do if You Think You Have a Gas Leak
Once you have spotted signs of a gas leak, you might be wondering what you should do next.
The most important thing to do is act fast! Gas leaks are incredibly dangerous, so the first thing that you should do is evacuate the house. This includes all the people and pets that usually reside in your home.
But, before you leave, you should ensure that the house is well-ventilated. Open all possible windows and doors to ensure that the gas is not contained in just your home.
If the gas remains contained, then the risk of an explosion increases significantly.
When all of your family (pets included) are out of the house, you should then place a phone call to your utility company’s emergency number, and the local fire department.
When you are safe outside the house, take a moment to make note of any symptoms you and your family are experiencing.
This information could be critical for treating any effects of the gas leak.
Then all that is left to do is wait for the professionals to arrive, and fix the leak. Only once this is done will it be safe for you to return to your home.
Summary
In short, if your stove smells like gas then this is the first sign that something is wrong.
Your stove will only really smell like gas if there is a leak in the gas lines or in the burners of your stove.
A gas leak is an emergency, so if you smell gas, or notice any of the other signs that we have spoken about above, you should act quickly.
The most important thing to do is get your family (pets included) outside the house, then phone the emergency services and your utility company.
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