Oven does not work: pilot light out? How feasible (how dangerous) to try to relight pilot light? T Phillips Winston-Salem, NC

Actually, your oven probably doesn't have a pilot light at all. In order to ignite the oven, it has an oven igniter. If you open the broiler, look up on the "ceiling" of the broiler to the back of the burner. There, you'll see a white block. That is the igniter. What it's supposed to do is heat up (electrically) and when it heats up enough, the gas valve turns on and the oven lights. What happens with these, is that the heating element on it opens from years of use and must be replaced. Inside the broiler door (usually) is the stove's model and serial numbers. Write them down and visit your local appliance parts store with those numbers and they'll give you a new one. (Usually around $30-$45 or so.) Also, you can usually change the igniter from inside the oven by removing the bottom drip plate, so that'll save your back a lot of straining. :)

I hope this helps and hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

-Jason