Learn to disconnect your gas stove
At times, you may need to disconnect your gas stove. Maybe you are doing major kitchen remodeling, or it’s time to upgrade to a newer stove. While many hesitate to work on anything gas or electricity-related, disconnecting a gas stove is a quick, safe, and easy project you can do independently. The steps below will guide you through how to disconnect a gas stove and things to pay attention to during the process.
Working with gas can be very dangerous and even harmful to your health. Only attempt gas projects yourself if you have the experience and credentials to do so safely. Otherwise, let the professionals handle these jobs.
Sufficient ventilation is crucial to any gas-related project. Open your windows to ensure a good airflow before you begin working on the stove. You should also put away any food left in the open air. Do not turn on vent fans or light fixtures if you smell gas. Wait until the project is complete and the gas is aired out naturally to avoid any potential hazard.
Mix up some soap water in a spray bottle. You will need this later to check for leakage. Make sure you wear protective gloves and stop working if you start to feel sick.
Make sure all the burners are turned off. You may be surprised how often people accidentally leave the burners on the lowest setting without realizing it because the flames are out. The lowest setting will continue to release gas into your household.
Skip this step if your gas stove doesn’t have a drawer at the bottom under the oven.
Slowly pull the drawer out and remove all contents. Then, remove the drawer from underneath the oven. Use your flashlight to look for the shutoff valve in the compartment. Older gas stove models are installed in a way that the shutoff valve is accessible via the drawer compartment, so you don’t have to remove the stove completely.
If you can’t find the shut-off valve in the oven drawer compartment, look behind the stove. If you see a shutoff valve there, you will need to remove the stove to gain access.
Using both hands, carefully pull the stove away from the wall. Skip to step four if you have a wall oven. Make sure you pull the stove out slowly. Gas leaks often happen from connections on the flexible gas tubing, and drastic movements can worsen the situation. Do not unplug the stove from its outlet.
It usually takes a quarter-turn to shut the gas valve. Older valves may be stuck, so be prepared to use a wrench for this step.
Your shutoff valve is usually a ball valve with a lever handle. When the gas is on, the valve knob should be in-line with the gas pipe. When the gas is off, the knob will be perpendicular to the direction of the gas pipe. Grab the handle and turn it to OFF. It’s usually a near-ninety-degree turn.
Note that older valves that haven’t been touched for a while may be difficult to turn. You can try using a wrench or a pair of pliers to turn the handle, but we recommend you call a professional.
Most cooktops install the shutoff valve inside the base cabinet. You should be able to reach the valve knob and turn it one-quarter to the side to OFF. Some models may require you to lift the cooktop unit from the countertop to gain access to the shutoff valve.
If you have a wall oven mounted inside permanent wall cabinets, look for the shutoff in the cabinet below or to the side of the oven. The valve should be accessible without any additional work. However, sometimes, it can be difficult to locate the shutoff valve for a wall oven. If you can’t locate the corresponding shutoff valve, hire a professional to do the job.
Mix one part of soap and two parts of water into a spray bottle. Thoroughly spray the gas line and wait for a few minutes. If you notice bubbles forming, you will need to tighten the valve further. Use a pipe wrench if necessary to tighten the valve fully. Check again until you don’t see any bubbles.
It’s best to cap the gas pipe until you are ready to reconnect the gas stove. You can cap the pipe with a threaded cap. Capping helps prevent major gas leaks while your stove is disconnected and provides peace of mind. It also allows you to use gas throughout the house while the stove is disconnected.
Once everything is done, reconnect the gas stove. You can use a “pipe dope,” which is a pipe threading sealant for a tighter reconnection. Make sure you repeat step five before turning the gas back on. If a leak persists, turn the gas right back off and call a professional.
You can disconnect the gas stove yourself if all you need to do is remodel other parts of the kitchen. However, hire a gas oven repair specialist if your kitchen has a leak. If you find any steps challenging or are struggling to locate the shutoff valve, you should also leave it to the pros.
On average, repairing a gas stove or oven costs $150 to $400. The price depends on the severity and cause of the leak, your gas stove’s model, installation location, and your gas pipework.
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