Replace Gas Stove

After enough repair bills, it's probably time to replace that old gas stove. The procedure is straight forward, unless you have LP gas. Units are delivered ready to go for natural gas and require several modifications to convert to bottled gas. It's not too difficult, just be sure that you follow all of the instructions. Stove installation is best done by a qualified service technician, though if you are confident, you can do it yourself. Be sure to obey local codes and ordinances to ensure that homeowner installation is permitted.

Items needed:

Wrench
Nut driver
Screw driver
Level
Pry bar
Teflon tape of pipe compound
Liquid soap

Safety Suggestions and Tips
Shut off gas before beginning
Observe local codes.
Hire a a qualified technician if there are any doubts.
Test gas lines before restoring supply.

Level of difficulty

Time Required:
4 hours

Steps

Shut off gas supply

Step 1:

You need to disconnect and remove the old unit. This includes both the gas and the electric. Before you get started, shut of the gas line. Close the valve, located either in the basement or at the tank.

Protect flooring with plywood

Step 2:

To pull the plug, you will need to drag the unit away from the wall.  First lay down a piece of plywood to keep from gouging or scratching the floor.

Loosen gas supply line

Step 3:

At the base of the stove, remove the cover plate with a screwdriver. If you have old copper tubing, you will first need to disconnect the line at the fitting to the stove.

Old flared copper fitting

Step 4:

Loosen the nut and slide this back. This is a flared copper type fitting.

Loosen flared copper coupling

Step 5:

Now carefully drag the unit on top of the plywood, avoiding damage to the gas line. Climb in back of the unit and disconnect the old gas line at the coupling, using two wrenches. Be careful not to crimp the cooper piping.

Replace burner orifices ("spuds")

Step 6:

Skip to step 11 if you have natural gas
To prepare the new unit for LP gas you need to adjust several items.  First you will need to replace the range orifices or spuds.

Use a nut driver, but don't drop the spuds down in stove

Step 7:

These are individually sized with marks and colors.  Using a nut driver, loosen the old spud and replace with the new one. The trick to keeping from dropping the spud down inside the range is to use a small piece of aluminum foil between the driver and the spud.  This should provide enough "grip".  If you do drop one down inside, you'll need torx wrenches to disassemble the burner units and get inside. The oven orifices need to be adjusted. 

Turn oven brass orifice to bottom of seat

Step 8:

Using an open-end wrench, tighten down the brass fitting.

Turn broiler brass orifice to bottom of seat

Step 9:

There may be two orifices, one for the broiler and one for the main oven.

Reverse regulator pin for LP gas

Step 10:

Underneath the unit, you will need to reverse the plastic pin in the regulator.  Remove the hex nut and flip the plastic pin and reassemble the nut.  Do not over tighten this.  The last step is to open the air shutters as per directions.

Stove threaded pipe connection

Step 11:

To connect the gas line, you will need to purchase a new connector line.  Bring the old connector to the store as you will have to match up pipe thread at the stove with the compression fittings on the old gas line. 

Coat thread pipe with pipe compound

Step 12:

To make the connection, coat the threads with pipe compound.

Bubbles in soapy water shows that a leak has been detected!

Step 13:

Tighten the fitting and test by applying very soapy water. (No matches please!)  If it bubbles in a few seconds, you have a leak. Try again!

Mount anti-tip bracket to wall

Step 14:

The anti-tip bracket is mounted to the wall behind the stove.  Simply screw this in as per directions.

Adjust the level using screw legs

Step 15:

Move the new stove in place and level the legs.  While there is a hex head inside the unit, it is easier to use a pry bar and slightly lift the unit and turn the legs from beneath the unit. Don't forget to open the gas line. If there is any smell of gas, shut off the supply and call a qualified service technician.