Gas Stove Burner Won't Catch Fire? This Trick Works Every Time (But Do It Safely)

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Though electric stoves tend to last longer than their gas-powered counterparts, given the choice, many home cooks would opt for gas stoves due to their more powerful and efficient heat conduction. Cooking with an electric stove means waiting for the coils to heat up, while gas burners utilize an open flame that provides direct, immediate heat that's easier to control. Not to mention, gas stoves are more reliable in emergency situations. Small camping stoves are often powered with propane, for instance, negating the need for an electrical outlet.

Similarly, you can still use a gas stove to cook even during a power outage, as the gas will still flow — you just need to light it. Most modern gas stoves have automatic ignition that lights the burner with the simple turn of a knob. However, during a power outage, or when using an older stove model, this function may not be working, or may be absent altogether. In that case, you can still use the stove by lighting the burner manually, so you can use the burner as usual. Just note that if the power is out, your vent may not work normally, so it's best to check your stovetop's manual for safety guidelines — or if there are model-specific instructions for manually lighting the burners.

Of course, it's fairly easy to burn yourself by doing this with an ordinary lighter or standard match, which is why it makes more sense to use another kitchen staple: uncooked spaghetti noodles. All you need to do is light the end of a noodle with a lighter or candle and hold the lit end over your burner until fire catches, keeping your hand a safe distance away from the concentrated flames.

Though using a long, dry piece of spaghetti to light your gas burner is a fairly safe way to get the heat going under your favorite expert-approved, restaurant-quality stir-fry, it's still extremely important to follow basic fire safety rules to avoid injury or damage to your home. First and foremost, never turn on the gas before you're ready to light the burner, as this can cause gas to build up over your stove and create a much bigger flame than you intended. If this happens, smother the flame with salt, turn off the gas, and open your kitchen windows immediately.

The safest way to manually light your burner is to light your spaghetti noodle, hold it over the burner, and then turn on the gas. This helps keep the flame small and easy to control. You also don't have to worry about the noodle going out like a match would, as they burn for a surprisingly long time. Once your burner is lit, put the spaghetti noodle out under cold running water for a minute or two before throwing it away to prevent the risk of starting a fire in your trash can

If you need to light your burner manually often, it may be best to keep extra-long fireplace matches, like Quality Home's 11-inch matches, on hand instead, as they're made to transfer flames from one place to another. It's also a good idea to follow Martha Stewart's safety advice and keep a first aid kit in the kitchen, complete with burn ointment and bandages.