Is it safe to bake in a gas oven with a hole in the oven's wall?

Question

My mom said that rats made a hole at the back of the oven so the heat escapes out of it. She's worried that the oven might explode so we don't use it. Is the oven still safe to use or will it just ruin whatever we bake in there?

Answer 1

NO! Either get the oven fixed or buy a new one. Do not cook in a gas over with a leak, ever. Imagine turning on the gas tap in chemistry class and lighting it. You get a big ball of endless fire that will continue to grow as long as the gas is on. A hole in a gas oven has the same effect.

Answer 2

Due to safety concerns, I would prioritize getting your oven checked over by a competent engineer.  This will establish the size of the damage and if it is repairable.  (It will also determine if rats have damaged the connecting gas pipework).

On a theoretical note, the hole (depending on size) will increase the inefficiency of your oven and it may not reach the desired temperature to cook the food properly. The risk of explosion will be a result of the rats gnawing on the gas supply pipework.

Get an exterminator first though, to determine the size of the rat problem. provide advice and lay traps to ensure this doesn't happen again.