Yes, gas stoves need electricity for some functions, but you can still use them even in a power outage.
According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, over 40 million households in the U.S. use natural gas for cooking, with a majority of those utilizing gas stoves. A survey by the American Housing Survey found that just 11% of gas stove owners light their burners manually instead of using automatic igniters, which need electricity.
For most gas stoves, electricity is necessary to turn on the oven, set timers, and ignite the gas. However, in a power outage, the burners can still be lit manually with a match or lighter. While not as convenient, you can keep using their gas stoves for stovetop cooking when the electricity goes out.
So, don’t worry. An outage won’t ruin your dinner plans. As long as gas is flowing from your supply line, you can fire up that range just like normal, even in total darkness.
Let’s talk more about gas stoves and electricity and how the two relate.
Can You Use a Gas Stove During a Power Outage?
The good news is yes – you can still use your gas cooktop or oven without any electricity. While the burners themselves operate on natural gas or propane without electricity, most modern gas stoves do require electrical power to run additional features like the oven, broiler, clock, and automatic igniters.
One exception is if you have an electronic ignition stove instead of a standard pilot light. Electronic ignitions do need a battery or electrical connection to spark the gas burner flame.
Old school pilot light stoves have a small constantly burning flame that ignites the gas, requiring no outside power.
How to Light a Gas Stovetop Without Power
If you don’t have a modern electronic ignition cooktop, lighting the burners during an outage takes just a simple igniter.
- Verify that there’s a gas supply. Give it a minute to send gas through the lines.
- Remove any burner caps and grates to access the base of the gas burners underneath.
- Insert a BBQ lighter or long match at an angle into the gas burner base.
- Slowly turn on the gas control knob to release gas until lit by the igniter.
- Repeat the process to light additional gas burners as needed.
How Do Gas Stovetop Burners Actually Work?
To understand why gas stoves don’t really need electricity to operate, we have to look inside the fancy knobs and dials. Here’s the science behind how they operate:
- The gas control knob is turned, opening up the gas supply valve.
- Gas flows from the supply line through internal hoses to the sealed burner chambers.
- As the gas escapes the burners, it mixes with air for combustion.
- The light ignites the gas/air mix into a controlled flame under each burner.
- The flame size increases the more the knob is turned, producing higher heat energy.
- This gas combustion flame directly heats the cookware above without electricity required!
Key Takeaway
Hopefully, you now have the confidence to cook comfortably using your gas range or cooktop during the next power outage. With a simple igniter tool and knob-turning skills, you’ll cook your rice and chicken or any other meal without any worries.
Common Questions
Can you use a gas stove without electricity?
Yes, most gas stoves and ovens do not require external electrical power and can be used during outages. The gas burners ignite using a manual pilot light.
Do gas stove burners need electricity to work?
Standard gas stove burners do not need electricity. The gas flame is ignited by a pilot light. Some newer stoves have electronic ignitions requiring battery or electric power.
How do you light a gas stove with no power?
If no pilot light, lift off the grates and use a long match or BBQ igniter to light gas released from the burner. Turn the knob to keep the gas flowing once lit.
Can the oven on a gas range be used without electricity?
Yes, a gas oven with pilot ignition can be lit manually like the burners. The gas flame heats the oven without the need for external electrical power.
Do gas stoves still work during blackouts?
In most cases, yes – gas stoves are designed to operate without any electricity in the event of a power outage. Make sure gas lines are active.
