How does an Oven Gas Valve work?

Question

Gas Valve with Flat Electric Ignitor.

Are the valve contacts normally Open or Closed?

The Ignitor Glows, but the Valve does not open the gas.

Answer 1

The one we have does not have contacts.   The heat from the ignitor bends a bimetal strip that pulls the valve allows the gas to flow.  A separate valve does the temperature sensing of the oven for cooking control.

Answer 2

Most are completely off at the oven controls, and only open when the oven is turned on, then a spark ignitor or a glow ignitor will light the gas.  The thermostat then controls the flow of gas for the oven depending on the internal temp.