A gas smell in a brand-new kitchen is the kind of problem no homeowner wants to deal with, especially when it seems to be coming from an unexpected place.
One Australian homeowner took to the internet for advice after their drawers kept smelling like gas.
Here's what to know
In a post to Reddit's r/AusRenovation forum, an original poster wrote: "Moved into a new build almost a year ago. When we use the stove these two drawers smell like gas for some time afterwards. The oven is electric. Checked behind the drawers and soapy water on the regulator and it was fine."
OP added, "Can anyone provide any advice on what might be causing it and if it's dangerous? TIA!"
Across the replies, people largely treated the situation as urgent rather than a harmless smell coming with a new kitchen.
One commenter succinctly said, "You have a gas leak," while another user offered a slightly more measured take, writing, "You probably have a very small, but present leak. Get a plumber in to inspect, they might just need to tighten it."
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Others reinforced that warning by sharing examples of installation faults that were only caught later. One commenter wrote, "Had our stove changed. The plumber didn't even have the connection finger tight." Another said, "We had a similar issue. Finally got a great plumber in and he found the fitting at the cook top connection had not been installed correctly by the installing plumber!"
Escaping gas can mean paying for fuel that is never actually being used. A leak near enclosed cabinets or drawers also creates an immediate safety concern inside the home, as the fumes are not safe to inhale.
More background
Even though this was a new build, commenters noted that completed kitchens can still end up with poor installation work.
Although the original poster had already tried a basic soapy-water test on the regulator, commenters said that did not rule out the most likely explanation. Another fitting behind the stove could still be loose or improperly installed even if that one spot appeared normal.
Because the smell showed up in two drawers after the stove was used, many commenters saw that as a sign gas might be getting into places where it should not collect. Since it seemed to happen during or after cooking rather than all the time, it could be easy to miss or dismiss.
The thread kept returning to the same practical advice: Do not continue using the appliance until the gas supply has been properly checked.
One commenter wrote, "Call a plumber ASAP." Another advised, "Turn gas off at [the] main tap or if there [is] an isolation valve under the stove in meantime."
Where can I learn more?
A gas smell near the stove can also raise bigger questions about what gas appliances release into the air at home. These stories look at indoor pollution, asthma risks, and other health warnings tied to gas stoves.
• Biologists say gas appliances leaking carcinogens should concern families.
• In many kitchens, gas stoves worsen air quality and raise asthma risks.
• A public health department warned that pollutants can spread throughout a home from gas stoves.
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