Help With Gas Stove/ Pilot Light/ Gas Smell EVERYTHING!!!?

Question

So I just moved into a new, crappy, apartment. ITS OLD. The stove is an old gas stove . I havent even turned it on for more than 30 seconds, and the surface between burners is always HOT ! Im guessing thats from the pilot lights RIGHT under those points, but is that normal?

Also, im most concerned about the fact the other day it smelt like gas..I called the matinence guy and he found that one of the pilots was out..and that fixed the gas smell, but he just took a match to it and lit it- which terrified me. How often does it go out? Im scared of it leaking gas, and me being asleep or not noticing.

Please help!

Answer 1

yes its normal for the range top to be hot same for in side the oven if you walk in you place and the whole place smells like gas then there is a problem and don't turn anything on call the fire department.  if anything it might get you a new oven.

Answer 2

Yes it is normal for the top of the stove to be hot where the pilot lights are.A burst of wind or a boiled over pot will pout the flame out.The oven has 2 pilot lights in it.There should be a shield on the top of the oven.If it is missing just shutting the oven doer will blow out the pilot light.

Answer 3

If you smell gas all you have to do is open the windows and turn on the vent over the stove. Call maintenance they will come down and fix it for you that's what you pay them for. Usually when you open the hood on your stove and then try to close it again the air pressure under the hood puts out the pilot light if you close it down to fast. Good luck

Answer 4

That is how pilot lights are lit - with a match.  And they will make a hot spot on the stove top.

It is good to be wary of natural gas, but I don't think you need to be terrified.  The explosive limits of NG are 5% ~ 15%.  that is, it has to be 5% ~ 15% of the volume to explode.  It'll flash under other circumstances.

Mercapthan added as an odorant, so you will normally smell it before anything bad happens.

If you're really concerned, call the gas supplier and ask them to have a look.  If it is truly dangerous, they'll red tag it.