Gas pizza oven not lighting or flame going out

Safety first: smell of gas and leak checks

Before any troubleshooting, make sure you are not dealing with a leak. If you smell gas, turn the gas off at the bottle straight away, do not light anything, do not smoke or operate switches nearby, and move away. Let any gas disperse in the open air. If the smell continues, or you suspect a leak on a fixed gas supply, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

To check the hose and regulator, brush a mix of washing up liquid and water over every joint with the gas on at the bottle and the oven turned off. Growing bubbles mean a leak. Turn off at the bottle, refit or replace the part and test again. Never use a flame to look for a leak. Replace a hose that is cracked, stiff, kinked or past the date printed on it.

Note:Gas pizza ovens are for outdoor use only. Never use one indoors, in a tent, awning, caravan or garage, as they can produce carbon monoxide and need plenty of fresh air. Keep the bottle upright, outdoors and away from the heat of the oven. Turn off at the bottle after every use. If you smell gas, turn off at the bottle, use no naked flames and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 if it persists. Any work on fixed or piped gas must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Follow the manual for your oven at all times.

1. Check the regulator and connection

A regulator that is not fully seated on the bottle valve, or is the wrong type for the bottle, will give no gas or a very weak flame. In the UK, propane bottles and butane bottles use different regulators and fittings, and some ovens are sold with a regulator for one gas only. Check the manual for which gas and regulator your oven needs, and our what gas for a pizza oven article explains the differences.

Turn the oven knob off, then turn the bottle off. Remove the regulator, check the washer or seal is present and undamaged, and refit it firmly as the regulator maker describes. Check the hose is not trapped, kinked or touching the hot oven body. Then do a soapy water leak test before lighting.

1. 1

   Oven knob off, then gas off at the bottle.

2. 2

   Check the regulator matches the gas and the bottle.

3. 3

   Check the seal and refit the regulator firmly.

4. 4

   Check the hose for cracks, kinks and age.

5. 5

   Turn gas on at the bottle and do a soapy water leak test.

6. 6

   Only light once there are no bubbles.

2. Hold the knob long enough

Most portable gas ovens have a flame failure device, often a thermocouple, that shuts off the gas if the flame goes out. It needs a few seconds of heat before it will hold the gas valve open. If you let go of the knob too soon, the flame lights and then dies straight away. That is the safety system working, not a fault.

Push in and turn the knob as the manual describes, wait for ignition, then keep holding for the time your maker gives, often several seconds. If it will not light after a few clicks, turn the knob off and wait for any gas to clear before trying again. Do not keep clicking with gas flowing. If it still will not hold after following the manual, contact the maker.

3. Wind, igniter and burner

Wind across the opening or the back of the oven can blow the flame out or stop it catching. Turn the oven so its back faces the wind, or use a solid windbreak placed at a safe distance. Never block vents or wrap the oven.

If you hear no click, or see no spark, the igniter may be wet, dirty or out of line with the burner. If you hear clicking but nothing lights, the burner ports may be blocked by spiders, grease or debris, especially after winter storage. Clean only as the manual allows. Some makers describe a manual lighting method with a long lighter. Use it only if your manual includes it, and follow the exact steps.

4. Bottle level and cold weather

A nearly empty bottle gives a weak or fluttering flame. Lift it to judge weight, or try a full bottle. Butane struggles to vaporise in cold weather and can give little or no gas on a cold day, which is one reason many UK cooks use propane for outdoor ovens. Never heat a gas bottle to help it along.

If you are still having trouble with an older oven, it may be time for a new one. Our best gas pizza oven and best portable pizza oven guides list current models. More gas oven advice is in gas pizza ovens.

See the best gas pizza ovens →

Frequently asked questions

What gas bottle does an Ooni Koda use? It depends on the model and the regulator supplied. Check your manual or the Ooni website for the correct gas type and regulator for your oven before buying a bottle.

What gas does a Gozney Roccbox use? The Roccbox gas burner runs on bottled LPG with a regulator. Check the manual or Gozney's website for the approved gas type and regulator for your version.

Why does my pizza oven flame go out when I let go of the knob? The flame safety device has not warmed up yet. Hold the knob for the time given in your manual after the flame lights.

Where can I find the Ooni Koda 12 manual? Ooni publishes manuals for its ovens on its website. Use the one for your exact model, as lighting steps can differ.