# My oven's hot when it's not on -a problem? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 24, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332 "2010-08-24T21:03:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sinisterniik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/51bf81/32.png) [@Sinisterniik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinisterniik)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/1 "2010-08-24T21:03:19Z")
I just recently moved into a new apartment. As usual, there are little things wrong with it and some things we should have known were wrong but missed when we were initially looking at the place -but that’s life. Recently, my roommate noticed that the oven, although turned off, is very hot in a couple of areas. It’s a gas oven and stove with four burners. The two hot areas are between the front and rear burners on either side of the stove (one hot area on the left, one on the right). I don’t have a clue why it’s hot or why in those two spots. I’m worried to use the stove now and I’m equally worried that’s it’s draining gas/electricity, amounting to a huge bill. If it helps, the oven appears to be an older model made by Tappan. Any thoughts out there? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/2 "2010-08-24T21:06:31Z")
Old gas stoves sometimes came with pilot lights. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/3 "2010-08-24T21:07:57Z")
Pilot lights for the stove burners. ---
**Author:** ![Sinisterniik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/51bf81/32.png) [@Sinisterniik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinisterniik)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/4 "2010-08-24T21:16:11Z")
That makes sense. I’ve had gas stoves before, but they were newer models. Are the pilot lights (or the stove, I guess) going to rack up my energy bill? Is there anything I need to know in terms of safety? Is it safe to use alcohol cleaners on it? Is there any other type of cleaner that I should stay away from? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/5 "2010-08-24T21:18:41Z")
Don’t use any flammable cleaners, things like 409 work fine. The amount of gas the pilots use is tiny. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/6 "2010-08-24T21:21:25Z")
Look very closely at those two hot spots and you will probably see a tiny hole with a small flame under it. This is the pilot light that ignites the burners when you turn the gas on. Back in the day, electronic ignition was not yet invented, and the original gas stoves required you to use a match to light the burner each and every time you wanted to heat something. Then came a huge leap forward, a pilot light that ignites the burner automatically when you turn the gas on. w00t! So you want that hot spot to be there. Don’t put anything plastic or meltable over it that spot, and buy some matches, in case the pilot goes out. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/7 "2010-08-24T21:24:02Z")
> [@Sinisterniik](#): > > Is there anything I need to know in terms of safety? Is it safe to use alcohol cleaners on it? Is there any other type of cleaner that I should stay away from? Gasoline. 😃 😉 ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/8 "2010-08-24T22:44:55Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Don’t use any flammable cleaners, things like 409 work fine. > > The amount of gas the pilots use is tiny. Not true. > [@](#): > > Gas ranges with electronic ignition systems will use 40 percent less energy than a standing pilot system. from [here](http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/standard/lpgas/consumerinfo.html). ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/9 "2010-08-24T22:57:31Z")
> [@Sinisterniik](#): > > That makes sense. I’ve had gas stoves before, but they were newer models. > > Are the pilot lights (or the stove, I guess) going to rack up my energy bill? > > Is there anything I need to know in terms of safety? Is it safe to use alcohol cleaners on it? Is there any other type of cleaner that I should stay away from? I have heard quotes of up to $1 a month for a gas pilot. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/10 "2010-08-24T23:08:13Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > > [@runner pat](#): > > > > Don’t use any flammable cleaners, things like 409 work fine. > > > > The amount of gas the pilots use is tiny. > > Not true. > > > [@](#): > > > > Gas ranges with electronic ignition systems will use 40 percent less energy than a standing pilot system. > > from [here](http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/standard/lpgas/consumerinfo.html). 40% less then what? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/11 "2010-08-24T23:27:38Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > > [@beowulff](#): > > > > Not true. > > > > from [here](http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/standard/lpgas/consumerinfo.html). > > 40% less then what? Electrically-ignited stoves use 40% less energy than stoves with continuous-on pilot lights. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/12 "2010-08-24T23:51:59Z")
a pilot light burner while small is on 365 days for 24 hours. you have three, one also for oven. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAlecCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SmartAlecCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAlecCat)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/13 "2010-08-24T23:54:02Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > > [@Joey\_P](#): > > > > 40% less then what? > > Electrically-ignited stoves use 40% less energy than stoves with continuous-on pilot lights. I guess that is if you use it an “average” amount 😕. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/14 "2010-08-25T00:05:32Z")
> [@SmartAlecCat](#): > > > [@beowulff](#): > > > > Electrically-ignited stoves use 40% less energy than stoves with continuous-on pilot lights. > > I guess that is if you use it an “average” amount 😕. Clearly, if you cook for a family of 19, and the stove is always on, then the pilot is not contributing very much to the total gas usage. Most people don’t use their stove that much - a burner for coffee every day (maybe), and cooking a few times a week, oven use a few times a month. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/15 "2010-08-25T00:37:33Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > > [@Joey\_P](#): > > > > 40% less then what? > > Electrically-ignited stoves use 40% less energy than stoves with continuous-on pilot lights. I meant, how much does it cost, on average to use a gas stove with or without pilots for a month? If it’s $5, were talking about a $2 per month. If it’s $50 then we’re talking about $20 per month…much more significant. ETA, the gas portion of my last bill was $14.34. That’s for the stove top (oven is electric) and the water heater. It’s just me using the stove and I only use it once or twice a week. If we round it up to say, $25 a month for a bigger family and do the math backwards (I don’t have a pilot light), it would be $41 to have a pilot light burning (based on 40% less to not have one). I suppose that’s pretty significant. Also, it makes sense. Many years ago I was living in an apartment with a fireplace that had a standing pilot. Since we never used the fireplace I turned off the gas to it and saved $8 per month. ---
**Author:** ![Sinisterniik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/51bf81/32.png) [@Sinisterniik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinisterniik)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/16 "2010-08-25T02:35:54Z")
> [@Rick](#): > Gasoline. 😃 😉 [/QUOTE] :smack: Well thanks to everyone for the answers -helpful as always! ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/17 "2010-08-25T13:13:47Z")
There is a wide range of estimates of pilot light power use. Here I see 7.3 therms/year I’m assuming a fireplace pilot is about the same as an oven pilot, but perhaps not): [http://homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/97/970103.html](http://homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/97/970103.html) Here I see 17 therms/year: [http://www.energytechpro.com/Demo-RES/Appliances/Appliance\_Energy\_Use.htm](http://www.energytechpro.com/Demo-RES/Appliances/Appliance_Energy_Use.htm) This page gives, if you work the script, 2.6 therms/month, or 30.6 therms/year: [Natural Gas from Gas South - Georgia's Natural Gas Company](http://www.gasgeorgia.com/knowledge/gas-calculator.html) Assuming a cost of gas of about 80 cents per therm, then you have a range of $5.84 to $24.58 per year. Browsing some DIY forums I found a few folks who claimed ranges from 12 to 80 therms per year. I have to wonder how they were determining that in most cases, however. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/18 "2010-08-25T13:41:32Z")
That’s funny, I can’t remember the last time I saw therm written without a “deca” next to it 🙂 It seems so lonely… ---
**Author:** ![jujuju](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@jujuju](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jujuju)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/19 "2010-08-25T16:17:36Z")
Also, just for fun, you can lift the stovetop and look around in there if you like. I only mention this because I didn’t realize you could do this, until I did. It’s likely on hinges - kinda like a car hood. Or perhaps it’s not. This is the internet. You get what you pay for. Let me know if I’m out of line. I’m new to this forum (General Questions, not SDMB) ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332/20 "2010-08-25T16:23:57Z")
If you’re worried about the pilot lights or their energy consumption, you can have a service tech shut off the gas flow to them. You’ll have to use a match or lighter to light the burners when you want to cook anything but it’s not otherwise problematic. I wouldn’t worry about it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ovens-hot-when-its-not-on-a-problem/551332.md?page=2)