Lighting a Pilot Light

[elginkid]

Hey,

I have, most likely, a 1953 Magic Chef range. So far, Dave (Volvoguy87) and I have moved the gas line to the range, and hooked it up, and have been using it for cooking...but we can't get the burner pilots lit. There is a trickle of gas coming out of them, more on the left side than the right. As a result, we have to shut the gas off each time we're finished and light one burner on each side whenever we cook just in case there's enough gas for a flame.

Is there a trick we're not aware of for lighting the pilot, or is there a way to clean the tube, or the end of the tube to make sure there's adequate gas flow?

Wes

Incidentally, the 1949/50 Frigidaire Refrigerator is operating fantastically. They're so much quieter than modern fridges!

 

[mattl]

It's been years since I messed with pilot lights, but the ones I did work with had a valve to adjust the flow. Have you found anything like that? Perhaps it just needs a bit more flow.

 

[jeffg]

Is it possible the orifices are for propane rather than natural gas? That might account for inadequate flow.

 

[toggleswitch2]

There is sometimes a small "set-screw" that one or both of the pilot-light feed pipes (a small thin tube really) feed from.

Soemtimes this set screw and "T" gas "take-off(s)" go(es) right to the main gas manifold (behind the surface-burner control klnobs). Other times, it goes to a set-screw on the oven's thermostat.

Good luck. Seek and ye shall (maybe) find....

 

[whirlaway]

Pilot lights

Make sure the passages are clean,calcium builds up in the gas lines at the pilot also in the burners,The best thing to clean them with is a dental pick.Its just like your teeth.I had that to happen on a magic chef at my old house and they worked great after that.Gas has a certain amount of moisture in it.

 

[appliguy]

Are either of you liscensed to work with natural gas?

if not be careful not to get yourself in trouble....I know when I worked for Mr. Handyman if anyone wanted us to install a gas appliance I had to tell them our guys were not liscensed to do so and therefor could not do it. I hope you guys are careful becasue I would not want you all to get hurt....good luck with putting the magic back in the Magic Chef Range....be sure and post pics of what it looks like ok. Oh and Dave I got some fans for you that you can just have when you get back to Manassas if you are interested. PAT COFFEY

 

[elginkid]

Dave opened the gas valves a bit more using the set screw, and it worked, so we now we can leave the gas line on. It's awfully gratifying to have the burners light when you turn the knobs. And speaking for Dave, the fans might come in handy this summer since we don't have air conditioning. We have two Vortelexes/Vortelexi/Vorteli (depending on your linguistic preference) that still aren't in service yet...and that is a significant source of our wind power. (besides Dave, of course)

Wes

 

[Cybrvanr]

I would purchase a gas detector from a hardware store, and place it somewhere near the stove. If the pilot light(s) go out, your gas detector will be prompt in telling you. They look similar to a carbon monoxide detector and are installed the same place...down low, because propane and natural gas fumes sink in air.

 

[toggleswitch2]

There are separate detectors for carbon monoxide and those f

I'm sure there are combo units available.

Actually, IIRC, propane settles and natural gas rises.
Carbon dioxide rises and carbon monoxide settles.

I'd day get two detectors and place one up high and one down low.

 

[mielabor]

Other way round!

CO rises and CO2 sinks.

 

[toggleswitch2]

ooooh we BOTH win! *LOL*

Here is a blurb about CO.

"CO detectors can be placed near the ceiling or near the floor as CO is very close to the same density as air[2][3]."

NOT that this souce is to be 100% trusted..........

Carbon monoxide detector - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[mielabor]

CO enters a room in most cases as a component of a hot/warm gas mixture and rises first before it mixes with the rest of the air in a room. That's why CO concentrations tend to be highest near the ceiling.