Gas Ranges on Yom Tov

Can I light my gas stovetop on Yom Tov in order to cook, and can I adjust the flame?

One may not light a new fire on Yom Tov, but one may light a fire from an existing fire, and one may add fuel to an existing flame for a Yom Tov need such as cooking. Thus, one may not turn on a gas stovetop if it has an electric ignition, but one may turn on a gas flame if there is a pilot light, and one may increase the flame. Electric stovetops are more complex, since it is difficult to know exactly what is happening when you turn the dial, and therefore one should not adjust the setting on most electric stovetops on Yom Tov.

Turning down the flame on a gas stove top may be a different story. In the event that one wishes to continue cooking, but the current setting would cause the food in the pot to burn, one may lower the flame (Rav Belsky, zt”l based on Rama OC 514:1; see also Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchoso 13:10 and Igros Moshe O”C 4:103). However, if one could use an existing small flame one would not be allowed to turn it down. If the flame is running off of a canister of gas, and the flame left on high will deplete the entire supply of gas before Yom Tov cooking is finished, then one may lower the flame (Rav Belsky, zt”l).

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.