Relighting a standing pilot light on a gas oven is a task most NZ homeowners can do themselves — it doesn't count as restricted gasfitting work. That said, gas appliances deserve real respect, and following the correct steps every time is essential for your safety and the safety of everyone in your home.
What Is a Standing Pilot Light?
A standing pilot light is a small, continuously burning flame inside your gas oven that ignites the main burner when you turn the oven on. Older gas ovens and some current models use this system rather than electronic ignition. The pilot can go out due to a draught, a brief interruption to the gas supply, or simply after the oven has been moved or serviced.
Before You Start: Safety First
Never skip these checks before attempting to relight a pilot:
- Smell for gas. If you can smell gas strongly in the kitchen, do not attempt to light anything. Leave the house immediately, leave doors open as you go, and call your gas retailer's emergency line or 111 from outside.
- Ventilate the area. Open a window or door to ensure fresh air is circulating.
- Wait after a gas outage. If the pilot went out because of a gas supply interruption, wait at least 5 minutes after the supply is restored before relighting, to allow any accumulated gas to disperse.
- Keep ignition sources away. No lighters, matches, or open flames near the oven until you are ready to light the pilot deliberately.
- Check your manual. Every oven model is slightly different. If you still have the manufacturer's instructions, follow those first.
Tools You'll Need
- A long-reach barbecue lighter or long matches (preferred over short matches for safety)
- A torch or phone light to see inside the oven cavity
- Your oven's user manual (if available)
Step-by-Step: Lighting the Pilot
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Locate the pilot assembly. Remove the oven racks and the oven floor panel (usually just lifts out) to expose the burner and pilot tube at the bottom of the oven cavity. The pilot is typically a small tube positioned near the main burner.
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Turn all controls to OFF. Make sure the oven knob and any separate pilot knob are in the OFF position. Wait a full 5 minutes to let any residual gas clear.
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Find the pilot knob or button. Some ovens have a dedicated PILOT setting on the main knob; others have a separate small button or knob near the burner. Consult your manual if you're unsure.
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Set the control to PILOT (or press the pilot button). Hold it in — this opens the gas valve to the pilot tube only.
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Apply the flame. Hold your long lighter or lit match directly at the tip of the pilot tube and, while still holding the knob/button in, bring the flame to the pilot opening. It should light within a few seconds.
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Hold the knob in for 20–30 seconds. This heats the thermocouple (a small safety sensor), which tells the gas valve it's safe to keep the pilot gas flowing. If you release too soon, the pilot will go out.
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Release slowly and check. Let go of the knob or button gradually. The pilot flame should remain burning — a small, steady blue flame roughly 10–15 mm tall. If it goes out, repeat from step 4. After two or three failed attempts, stop and call a licensed gasfitter.
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Reassemble and test. Replace the oven floor panel and racks. Turn the oven to a normal baking temperature and confirm the main burner lights from the pilot within a few seconds.
What a Healthy Pilot Flame Looks Like
| Flame appearance | What it means |
|---|---|
| Small, steady blue flame | Normal and correct |
| Yellow or orange tinge | Possible air/gas mix issue — have it checked |
| Very large or noisy flame | Gas pressure or valve problem — call a gasfitter |
| Keeps going out | Faulty thermocouple or blocked pilot orifice — call a gasfitter |
Keeping Your Pilot Light Reliable
- Avoid strong draughts near the oven — a rangehood on full power directly above can sometimes blow a pilot out.
- Clean around the pilot orifice gently with a dry brush if you notice debris or grease build-up blocking the small opening.
- Have your oven serviced periodically by a licensed gasfitter, especially if it's more than 10 years old.
When to Call a Professional
Some gas oven issues go beyond relighting a pilot and must be handled by a licensed gasfitter under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) rules. Call a professional if:
- You smell gas and cannot identify the source.
- The pilot repeatedly goes out after relighting (likely a faulty thermocouple or gas valve — both are restricted gasfitting work to replace).
- The pilot flame is yellow, orange, or unusually large.
- You need to adjust gas pressure, replace burner components, or move/reconnect the gas supply line — all restricted work under NZ law.
- Your oven is an LPG model and you suspect a regulator issue.
Under the Gas Act 1992 and associated regulations, any work on gas pipework, fittings, or appliance connections must be carried out by a gasfitter licensed with the PGDB. Always ask to see their licence. You can find qualified local gasfitters on tradedirectory.co.nz.
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