Gas stoves are a staple in many Australian kitchens — prized for their instant heat, precise control and energy efficiency. But while they’re built to last, even the most reliable cooktop isn’t immune to wear and tear. Over time, small faults can creep in unnoticed, and what starts as a minor inconvenience might become a serious hazard.
Common gas stove issues often have subtle warning signs, from strange smells and uneven flames to burners that won’t ignite. Ignoring them doesn’t just affect your cooking—it can lead to gas leaks, fire risks, or exposure to harmful gases. A gas stove not working correctly isn’t something to brush aside.
The good news? Most gas cooktop problems can be spotted early and addressed before they escalate. Let’s explore the most common gas stove problems and what they mean for your home’s safety and efficiency.
Weak or Uneven Flame
A properly working gas stove should produce a steady blue flame—not too high, not too low, and evenly spread across the burner. If you see yellow, orange, or flickering flames, your stove is likely struggling to burn gas efficiently.
What Causes an Uneven Flame?
One of the most common gas stove problems is blocked burner ports. Grease, food spills or general grime can clog the small openings, restricting gas flow. Other causes include:
- Dirty or misaligned burner caps
- Low gas pressure
- Blocked gas injectors
- Faulty regulators
These issues can all result in uneven heating, making your cooking unpredictable — and sometimes unsafe.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It
Besides being an inconvenience in the kitchen, an inconsistent flame can lead to incomplete combustion, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. It’s not just a matter of heat — it’s a safety concern.
Quick Fixes and When to Call a Pro
Start with a deep clean of your burners, making sure ports and caps are clear. If cleaning doesn’t help or the flame stays discoloured or weak, it’s best to contact a licensed gas technician. It may be a pressure issue or a part that needs replacing.
Don’t wait for a total burner failure — early signs of a gas cooktop problem are your best chance to catch something before it becomes a bigger (and more expensive) issue.
Clicking Sound Without Ignition
There’s nothing quite as annoying as turning the knob, hearing that familiar clicking sound… and then nothing. No flame. Just the rapid tick-tick-tick of a burner that won’t cooperate. This is one of the most common ignition problems gas stove users face — and thankfully, it’s usually easy to trace.
What’s Causing the Clicking?
That clicking noise is your stove’s electric igniter working to create a spark. Usually, once gas is released, the spark ignites the flame instantly. But if the clicking continues without ignition, something’s off.
Common causes include:
- Moisture near the igniter (often from a spill or recent cleaning)
- A misaligned or loose burner cap
- A faulty spark module or worn-out igniter
Moisture is especially sneaky — even a tiny amount can prevent the spark from catching the gas properly.
Quick Fixes to Try
- Dry the igniter using a paper towel or allow moisture to evaporate.
- Check and reposition the burner cap so it sits properly.
- Clean the area to remove any grease or food debris that might interfere with the spark.
When It Might Be More Than a Spill
If the clicking continues even after drying and cleaning, you may be dealing with a deeper electrical issue. A faulty igniter switch, damaged wiring or failed spark module could be to blame. In that case, it’s best to have the stove inspected by a licensed technician.
So if your gas burner is not lighting but the clicking won’t stop, don’t ignore it — it could be a simple fix or a sign of a larger fault waiting to strike.
Gas Smell While Cooking or After Turning Off the Stove
If you catch a whiff of gas while cooking — or worse, after the stove is turned off — stop everything. This is one of the clearest gas leak signs and should never be ignored. A lingering gas smell from your stove is more than a nuisance. It’s a serious safety risk.
What Could Be Causing the Leak?
There are several possible causes:
- Loose gas connections behind or under the cooktop
- Cracked or damaged gas hoses or pipes
- Faulty control knobs that continue to release gas even in the “off” position
Even a tiny leak can build up over time, creating a fire or explosion hazard, especially in enclosed spaces.
What to Do Immediately
If you smell gas:
- Turn off the gas supply at the source if it is safe to do so
- Open windows and doors to ventilate the area
- Avoid turning on lights or using any electrical switches
- Evacuate the home if the smell is strong or you feel unwell
Staying Safe Long-Term
Regular maintenance is crucial for gas cooktop safety. A professional should inspect gas appliances at least once a year to ensure all fittings are secure and components are in good shape.
Also, consider installing carbon monoxide detectors in your kitchen and nearby living areas. While natural gas is odorized for detection, CO isn’t, and a poorly burning stove can quietly release it without warning.
Burner Won’t Light or Keeps Going Out
You turn the knob, hear the click, maybe even see a brief flicker of flame — and then, nothing. Or perhaps the flame lights but cuts out seconds later. If your gas burner is not staying lit, you’re dealing with one of the more frustrating (and messy) gas cooktop issues.
What’s Causing the Problem?
Common causes include:
- Clogged burner ports from grease or food residue
- A faulty thermocouple — the safety device that detects whether a flame is present
- Blocked or partially obstructed gas lines
Older stoves may have worn-out components, while newer models with advanced safety features might cut off the gas supply at the first sign of a weak ignition—which is excellent for safety but annoying if it keeps happening.
How to Fix It
Start simple:
- Clean the burner ports with a brush or pin to ensure gas can flow freely.
- Check for drafts or fans that could be blowing out the flame.
- Make sure the burner cap is aligned correctly.
If the flame lights briefly and then shuts off, the thermocouple might need replacing, especially if your cooktop is more than a few years old.
Don’t Skip the Servicing
Routine servicing ensures your burners ignite quickly and stay lit consistently. Whether your stove is old-school or high-tech, maintenance goes a long way in preventing performance dips and keeping your kitchen safe.
Clicking Continues After Stove is Turned Off
You’ve finished cooking and turned off the burner, but the stove won’t stop clicking. This is not only annoying but can also leave you wondering if something’s gone seriously wrong. This is one of those gas cooktop issues that’s easy to overlook at first but may signal a bigger electrical fault.
Why Is It Still Clicking?
A gas stove’s clicking sound is caused by the igniter creating a spark to light the flame. If it continues even when the burner is off, one of these may be the reason:
- Moisture inside the igniter or control panel, often from spills or cleaning
- Food debris or grease interfering with the igniter
- A faulty igniter switch that’s stuck in the "on" position
Moisture is the most common cause and usually dries out on its own — but not always.
What You Can Do
- Unplug the unit or switch it off at the circuit breaker
- Dry the igniter and surrounding area with a paper towel
- Leave the cooktop to air out for a few hours
- Clean around the burners to remove any residue
If the clicking doesn’t stop or returns frequently, it may be time to replace the igniter or have a professional inspect the switch mechanism.
When to Get It Checked
Persistent clicking is often the first sign of a worn-out or malfunctioning igniter system. Left unaddressed, it can lead to electrical failure or poor ignition performance across all burners. If drying and cleaning don’t fix the problem, a technician should take a look to prevent further gas stove problems.
Burner Flame Too High or Too Low
A flame that’s too strong can be just as problematic as one that’s barely there. If your gas flame is too high, it can lead to scorched cookware, uneven cooking, or worse — a potential fire hazard. On the flip side, a gas stove with a low flame might take forever to heat a pan and may not sustain combustion properly.
What’s Causing the Imbalance?
Several factors can throw your flame out of whack:
- Misadjusted flame settings
- A faulty or poorly calibrated gas regulator
- Blockages or partial obstructions in the gas line
In some cases, switching from natural gas to LPG (or vice versa) without properly adjusting the burners can also result in incorrect flame levels.
How to Adjust the Flame Safely
For most stoves, there’s a small screw near the control knob or valve stem that can be used to adjust the gas flame. However, this should only be done if you’re confident and know your stove type.
- Natural gas generally burns with a steady blue flame
- LPG flames tend to burn hotter and may need finer control
If adjusting the flame doesn’t help or fluctuates without reason, the issue could be with the regulator or internal gas flow.
Clicking or Popping Noises While Cooking
It’s not unusual for a gas cooktop to make the occasional noise while in use. A stove making popping noise can be caused by heat-induced expansion of metal parts — completely normal in most cases.
When to Pay Attention
If the sounds are loud, frequent or accompanied by performance issues, it could signal:
- Dirty burners
- Uneven gas flow
- Moisture or debris near the igniter
If these noises persist, they shouldn’t be ignored, as they may point to an issue affecting efficiency or safety. If in doubt, have a technician assess the stove noise during use to rule out hidden faults.
Burn Marks or Soot Around Burners
Noticing black marks on your gas stove or a layer of soot around the burners? That’s not just a leftover mess — it’s a sign your cooktop isn’t burning fuel properly.
What Causes It?
Soot build-up usually means incomplete combustion, often caused by:
- A dirty or misaligned burner
- Blocked ports
- Low gas pressure or a faulty regulator
This results in a dirty flame — often yellow or orange — which can stain your cookware and surround it with carbon deposits.
Why It Matters
Excess gas stove soot doesn’t just look bad. It may indicate a ventilation issue or a deeper problem with your cooktop’s combustion process.
Knobs or Dials Not Turning Properly
If your cooktop dial won’t turn or feels stiff, it’s more than just a daily frustration — it could impact how safely your stove operates.
Why It Happens
This issue is common in older stoves or units without much maintenance. Over time, grease, grime and heat exposure can cause knobs to seize up or wear out. In some cases, internal mechanisms become misaligned or corroded, making the gas control knobs harder to use.
How to Fix It
- Gently clean around the knobs to remove build-up
- Apply suitable lubrication if it is safe to do so
- Replace worn or cracked knobs with compatible parts
- Check for deeper mechanical issues if the stove knobs are stuck
Regular inspection and gentle handling help extend the life of your stove’s controls — and keep your cooking safer and more precise.
How to Prevent Gas Stove Issues
Regular gas stove maintenance is the best way to avoid the issues we’ve covered. Most problems start small, and that’s when they’re easiest to fix.
Keep It Clean
Wipe down burners, caps and igniters after each use. Grease and food build-up are common culprits behind poor ignition and uneven flames. A quick clean can prevent bigger problems later.
Book an Annual Inspection
A yearly check by a licensed technician ensures your gas lines, pressure regulators and connections are safe and working properly. This is a key step in responsible gas cooktop care.
Use the Right Tools and Pay Attention
Stick to cookware recommended by your stove’s manufacturer and avoid forcing knobs or lighting stubborn burners. Most importantly, don’t ignore subtle changes in performance — they’re often early signs of trouble.
Stay proactive, and you’ll prevent gas stove problems and keep your kitchen running smoothly all year round.
Keep Your Cooking Smooth and Your Kitchen Safe
Small gas stove issues tend to become bigger—and costlier—problems when left unchecked. Whether it’s a weak flame, a stubborn igniter, or a strange smell, these signs are your stove’s way of asking for attention.
Professional servicing and regular gas stove inspections can save time and money and reduce unnecessary streaks. At Woolf Plumbing, we offer reliable, expert Hob Top services and gas appliance repair in Perth, tailored to keep your kitchen safe and efficient.
If your cooktop is not working properly, don’t wait. Contact our team today, and we’ll help you fix it before it becomes a bigger problem.
