Can Gas Ovens Be Repaired? What You Need to Know Before Calling a Technician

If your gas oven suddenly stops heating, smells like gas, or won’t light at all, you’re probably wondering: can gas ovens be repaired? The short answer is yes-most gas ovens can be fixed, often for a fraction of the cost of buying a new one. But not every problem is worth fixing. Knowing when to repair and when to replace saves money, time, and sometimes, safety.

How Gas Ovens Work (Simply)

Gas ovens use natural gas or LPG to create heat. A gas valve opens, gas flows into a burner, and an igniter sparks to light it. The flame heats the oven cavity. A thermostat senses the temperature and turns the gas on and off to keep it steady. That’s it. No complex electronics. No high-voltage wiring. Just gas, flame, and basic controls.

This simplicity is why gas ovens last longer than electric ones. Many models built in the 1990s still work today. But when something breaks, it’s usually one of three things: the igniter, the gas valve, or the thermostat.

Common Gas Oven Problems (And Fixes)

Here are the top five issues you’ll see-and whether they’re easy to fix.

• Igniter won’t glow: The most common failure. The igniter is a small ceramic piece that heats up and draws enough current to open the gas valve. If it’s cracked or worn out, it won’t glow. Replacement costs $30-$70. You can do it yourself if you’re comfortable turning off the gas and unplugging the oven.
• Gas valve won’t open: Even if the igniter glows, the gas might not flow. This could be a faulty valve or a blocked orifice. Gas valves are not user-serviceable. You need a licensed gas fitter. This repair runs $150-$300.
• Oven won’t hold temperature: The thermostat might be off. A mis-calibrated thermostat causes food to undercook or burn. A technician can test it with a multimeter. Replacement is $100-$200. Some older ovens have mechanical thermostats you can adjust with a screwdriver.
• Gas smell when oven is off: This is serious. A leaking gas line or faulty valve seal can cause this. Turn off the gas at the mains, open windows, and don’t turn on lights or use phones. Call a gas technician immediately. Never ignore this.
• Flame is yellow or lazy: A healthy gas flame is blue with a small yellow tip. A mostly yellow flame means incomplete combustion-often from a dirty burner or blocked air shutter. Cleaning the burner ports with a needle fixes this. If the problem returns, the gas pressure might be wrong. That’s a professional job.

When Repair Makes Sense

Repairing a gas oven is smart if:

• Your oven is less than 15 years old.
• The repair cost is under 50% of a new oven’s price.
• The oven still heats evenly and has no rust or structural damage.
• You like the size, layout, or features (like a convection setting).

Most mid-range gas ovens cost $800-$1,500 new. If your repair quote is $400 or less, and the oven is in decent shape, go ahead. A new igniter or thermostat can add another 5-10 years of life.

In Dunedin, many homes still have gas ovens from the 1980s and 90s. They’re built with thicker steel, heavier burners, and fewer plastic parts than today’s models. They’re often more durable-and easier to repair.

When to Walk Away

Don’t waste money on repairs if:

• The oven is over 20 years old. Parts are hard to find, and efficiency is poor.
• There’s rust on the oven cavity or door frame. That means moisture got in, and corrosion is spreading.
• The control panel is cracked or unresponsive. Modern electronic controls are expensive to replace and often fail again within a year.
• You’ve had three or more repairs in the last two years. That’s a sign of declining reliability.

Also, if your oven uses propane and you’re switching to natural gas-or vice versa-you’ll need a new oven. Converting the burner system is risky and rarely worth it.

Gas Safety First

Gas appliances aren’t DIY toys. You can clean burners and replace igniters safely. But anything involving gas lines, valves, or pressure regulators? Leave it to a licensed technician.

In New Zealand, gas work must be done by a registered gas fitter. They’re trained to test for leaks with a manometer, check ventilation, and ensure the appliance meets NZS 5260 standards. Unlicensed work can void your home insurance and create deadly risks.

If you smell gas at any time-even faintly-turn off the gas at the meter, open all windows, and call a gas fitter. Don’t wait. Gas leaks don’t announce themselves. They just happen.

Cost to Repair vs. Replace

Here’s what you’re likely to pay in 2025:

Notice something? The most expensive repair-gas valve replacement-often costs nearly half of a new oven. If your oven is older than 12 years, replacing the valve might be a waste. You’re betting on the rest of the unit holding up.

How to Find a Reliable Gas Technician

Not all repair people are equal. Here’s how to pick one:

• Ask for their Gas Fitter Registration Number. You can check it on the New Zealand Gas Association website.
• Look for technicians who specialize in gas appliances-not general handymen.
• Call two or three for quotes. Reputable companies give free estimates.
• Ask if they carry parts for your brand. Common brands like Fisher & Paykel, Smeg, and Bosch have good parts availability. Lesser-known brands? Be cautious.
• Check Google reviews for mentions of “gas smell after repair” or “came back to fix the same thing.” That’s a red flag.

In Dunedin, companies like Appliance Repair Dunedin and GasFix NZ have solid reputations for gas oven work. But don’t just pick the cheapest. A bad repair can cost you more in the long run.

Prevent Future Problems

Gas ovens last longer if you take care of them:

• Clean the burners every 6 months. Use a toothbrush and warm soapy water. Don’t use metal tools-they can damage the ports.
• Check the flame color monthly. Blue is good. Yellow or orange means trouble.
• Don’t line the oven bottom with foil. It blocks airflow and can cause overheating.
• Have the gas line inspected every 5 years. Even if nothing’s wrong, a quick check prevents leaks.

These small habits can extend your oven’s life by a decade. And they cost nothing but a little time.

Final Verdict: Can Gas Ovens Be Repaired?

Yes-most of them can. But only if the problem is simple and the oven isn’t too old. A broken igniter? Fix it. A leaking gas valve in a 25-year-old oven? Replace it. The goal isn’t to keep your oven forever. It’s to keep it safe, efficient, and working when you need it.

Don’t panic if your gas oven stops working. Diagnose it. Get a quote. Compare it to the cost of a new one. And never, ever ignore a gas smell.