Most range issues — a weak flame, a clicking igniter, an oven that won’t hold temperature — are routine repairs with no urgency attached. A gas smell is a different category entirely, and it’s worth knowing the correct response before you ever need it.
Step 1: Don’t Try to Diagnose It
Don’t attempt to light a burner, operate any control on the range, or investigate the smell’s source yourself. A gas smell means fuel is present somewhere it shouldn’t be, and any spark, including one from normal appliance operation, is a genuine ignition risk.
Step 2: Ventilate and Leave the Area
Open windows and doors if you can do so quickly and safely on your way out, and avoid flipping light switches or operating any electrical device in the immediate area.
Step 3: Shut Off the Gas Supply
If you know the location of the gas shutoff valve for the range and can reach it safely, turn it off. If you’re unsure or it isn’t immediately accessible, don’t spend time searching for it — prioritize getting everyone out.
Step 4: Call for Help
Contact your gas utility’s emergency line first, since they can respond fastest to an active leak. Once the immediate hazard is confirmed resolved, a technician can identify and repair the actual source. Visit our Bertazzoni range repair page for routine service, but treat any gas smell as an emergency, not a booking.