My Gas Stove Smells Like Lighter Fluid When I Use the Burners

Normal Odor

• When you turn the dial on, it will make several sparks and emit a small amount of gas. The sparks may take several seconds to light and the gas will therefore spread into your home. This presents a slight lighter fluid odor, which is completely normal and not harmful. Regardless, always ventilate your kitchen whenever you use a gas oven.

Dirty Burners

• Sometimes the burner doesn’t spark because it is dirty. When this happens, the gas stovetop emits the gas but it doesn’t light up, causing a strong lighter fluid odor in your kitchen and home. This smell can cause health issues including headaches, dizziness and difficulty concentrating. Turn off the burners and clean them.

Cleaning Burners

• Turn off the burners and let the area cool completely. Use a toothpick or toothbrush to clean out the holes that surround the burner. Dirt that obstructs these holes will prevent the entire burner from lighting. Clean the entire burners completely.

Broken Ignitors

• Each burner has a spark ignitor that enables the burner to actually light up. If the burner is broken, you won't notice or hear any sparks and you will begin to smell a strong lighter fluid odor. Purchase a replacement ignitor from your manufacturer or from a hardware store.