Ranges are among the most commonly resold appliances, and gas ranges are the norm in many Philadelphia rowhouse kitchens. A good used range can be a bargain. A neglected one can come with a misbehaving oven, worn valves and a gas connector that should have been retired long ago. Because gas is involved, a careful inspection matters more here than with almost any other secondhand appliance.
This guide splits the work into what you check at the seller's, what your kitchen needs, and what should happen on installation day.
At the seller's: the range itself
Gas models
- Light every burner. Each should ignite within a few clicks and burn with a steady blue flame and a small blue cone. Flames that are mostly yellow, lift off the burner or burn unevenly need attention.
- Turn each knob to low. A good burner holds a small, even flame without going out.
- Check the burner caps and grates. They should sit flat. Warped, cracked or mismatched caps cause uneven flames.
- Smell around the range before and after lighting. A brief whiff at ignition is normal; a lingering gas smell is not. If you smell gas that doesn't go away, stop and tell the seller to shut it off.
Electric models
- Turn on each element and make sure it heats evenly. On coil tops, look for blistered or bulging coils and scorched drip pans.
- On smooth-tops, look for cracks or chips in the glass. A cracked cooktop shouldn't be used and is often expensive to replace.
Both types: the oven
| Test | Method | What's acceptable | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bake heat | Set 350°F with an oven thermometer on the middle rack | Reaches temperature and holds within a reasonable range | Never gets hot, or wildly off |
| Broil | Run broil for a few minutes | Even heat across the top | Element or burner that won't come on |
| Ignition timing (gas) | Watch the oven igniter through the broiler or bottom panel | Igniter glows and the burner lights without a long delay | Long wait, a loud whoomp at ignition |
| Door and gasket | Close the door; feel around the edge while hot | Door closes square; gasket intact | Sagging door, torn gasket, heat pouring out |
| Controls and clock | Run the display, timer and any self-clean setting briefly | Buttons respond; no error codes | Dead keys, flashing codes the seller can't explain |
| Interior | Flashlight on the oven floor and walls | Normal wear and some grime | Rust-through, chipped enamel over a large area |
| Recall | Search the model number on the CPSC site | No open recall | An open recall with no proof of repair |
In your kitchen: before it arrives
- Fuel and power match. A gas range needs a gas supply and a standard grounded outlet for the igniter and controls. An electric range needs a dedicated 240-volt outlet. Converting from one to the other is a job for a plumber or electrician.
- Width and depth. Older rowhouse kitchens sometimes have narrow openings or tight walkways to the back door. Measure the space and the path in from the street, including the front vestibule.
- The gas shutoff valve. Find the valve behind the current range. In homes held for decades, the original valve may be stiff or hard to reach. Don't force it; have the installer evaluate and, if needed, replace it.
- Outlet condition. A gas range's igniter needs a grounded outlet. If you only have a two-prong outlet back there, have an electrician address it rather than using an adapter.
Installation day
- Use a new gas connector. Don't reuse the old flexible connector from the previous range, and never reuse an old uncoated brass one. Connecting gas should be done by a qualified installer, who should also leak-test the joints.
- Install the anti-tip bracket. A range can tip forward if a child climbs on the open door or a heavy pot sits on the door edge. The bracket costs little and is easy to forget on a used unit that arrives without one. Order one for the model if it's missing.
- Check the flames again after installation. If the range came from a home on a different gas type, it may need conversion; a range set up for propane should not be run on natural gas without proper conversion by a pro.
- Confirm a working CO alarm in the home. The carbon monoxide and gas appliance checklist covers placement and what to watch for with older gas appliances.
Sources
Keep it running well with the monthly range and oven checklist. When to call: if burners won't light reliably, the oven can't hold temperature, or the flames stay yellow after cleaning, have our range repair technicians take a look. And if you ever smell gas, leave the house, don't touch light switches, and call PGW or 911 once you're outside.