How long should a Kenmore gas stove last?
A Kenmore gas range like model 79078852600 typically lasts 15 years with normal household use. Consistent cleaning, correct flame adjustment, and replacing wear items (like an oven light bulb) help you reach that lifespan; see the 79078852600 owner's manual for care and operating guidance.
What affects lifespan most
- Cleaning and grease control: keep spills from baking onto surfaces and into burner areas.
- Proper flame size: adjust flames so they do not extend past the pan edge (improves efficiency and reduces heat stress).
- Using the right cookware: stable, correctly sized pans reduce burner and grate wear.
- Replacing wear items on time: light bulbs, seals, and igniter-related parts wear with normal use.
- Avoiding misuse: follow operating and maintenance instructions to prevent premature failures.
Quick maintenance checklist (high impact)
- Wipe up boilovers promptly; avoid letting food soil harden on the cooktop.
- Keep burner heads and ports clear so ignition is quick and the flame is even.
- Check the oven door for heat leaks; replace the gasket if it is torn or flattened.
- Replace a failed oven light with the correct bulb, such as range oven light bulb 316538904.
- If the range has been stored in cold conditions, let it sit above 32°F for at least 3 hours before powering it on.
Common wear items and what they do
| Part | What you’ll notice when it’s worn | Example for this model |
|---|---|---|
| Oven light bulb | Oven light won’t turn on | 316538904 |
| Oven door seal | Heat leaks, longer preheat, uneven baking | 5304498835 |
| Surface burner head | Uneven flame, delayed ignition | 316212400 |
Why it matters
A gas range can keep cooking well for many years, but small issues (weak ignition, uneven flame, heat leaking at the door) make the appliance work harder. That extra stress shortens component life and can lead to more frequent repairs.
Last updated: February 2026
How to take the top off a Kenmore gas range?
To lift the cooktop on your Kenmore 79078852600 gas range, we remove the grates and burner pieces first, then release any mounting screws so the top can hinge up or lift off. Always shut off power before servicing, and shut off gas if you will disconnect any gas components.
Before you start (safety and prep)
- Turn all surface burner knobs to OFF and let everything cool.
- Disconnect electrical power to the range at the breaker or unplug it.
- If your steps require moving the range or accessing the regulator area, shut off the gas supply.
- Protect the countertop with a towel or cardboard to prevent scratches.
- Keep screws organized by location so reassembly is straightforward.
Basic cooktop removal steps (most Kenmore gas ranges)
- Remove the grates.
- Lift off burner caps.
- Remove burner heads (some lift off; some are secured).
- Look for mounting screws near the burner bases or along the front lip under the cooktop; remove them.
- Lift the front of the cooktop and either:
- Prop it up (hinged style), or
- Lift up and off (lift-off style) after releasing any rear tabs.
What parts usually have to come off first
| Cooktop piece | What you do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Grates | Lift off | Clears access to burners and screws |
| Burner caps | Lift off | Allows burner head removal |
| Burner heads | Lift off or unscrew | Frees the cooktop from burner mounting points |
| Mounting screws | Remove with nut driver/screwdriver | Releases cooktop so it can lift |
Tips if the top will not lift
- Check for hidden screws under the front edge or near the burner openings.
- If a burner head is corroded in place, apply gentle upward pressure and wiggle; do not pry hard against enamel.
- If you are removing the warmer drawer for access on this model, follow the glide-lever release method in the installation guide.
Why it matters
Removing the cooktop correctly prevents bent burner tubes, damaged igniters, and gas leaks. It also gives you safe access for cleaning clogged burner ports or replacing a worn burner component such as the range surface burner head 316212400.
Last updated: February 2026
What model is my Kenmore gas range?
For Kenmore gas range model 79078852600, the model number is printed on the appliance identification plate. On this series, you’ll typically find it on the right side of the oven front frame inside the storage or warmer drawer compartment; pull the drawer out and look along the frame.
Where to look on model 79078852600
Check these common label locations first:
- Pull out the storage or warmer drawer; look on the right side of the oven front frame
- Look at the bottom area of the drawer compartment (near where the drawer rides)
- Check the oven door jamb area (around the front frame opening)
- If needed, look on the back of the range near the lower panel
Use the exact model number from the label when ordering parts; even one digit off can change the correct burner, igniter, or oven valve.
What you should write down
The identification plate usually includes both numbers below. Record them exactly as shown:
- Model number (example format: 790.7885* family; your full model is 79078852600)
- Serial number
- Date of purchase (helpful for service history)
| Item | What it’s used for | Example you might see |
|---|---|---|
| Model number | Matching parts diagrams and replacement parts | 79078852600 |
| Serial number | Production date and service identification | Varies |
Why it matters
Kenmore model numbers identify the exact configuration of your gas range (burner layout, control style, and oven features). Using the correct model number helps ensure you get the right parts the first time, such as a range oven light bulb 316538904 or a range pressure regulator 5304521339.
For the official label location and product record section, use the 79078852600 owner’s manual.
Last updated: February 2026
Why is my gas stove working but not my oven?
If the surface burners work but the oven on your Kenmore 79078852600 will not heat, the most common causes are an oven control setting issue (including the clock not being set), a weak oven ignition system, or a gas supply/regulator problem affecting the oven circuit. Use the checks in the 79078852600 owner's manual to narrow it down safely.
Quick checks we recommend first
- Confirm the time of day is set; this model can require the clock to be set before the oven will operate.
- Verify you selected the correct bake function and pressed START.
- Check the home circuit breaker (the oven uses electricity for ignition and controls even though it is gas).
- Make sure the gas supply valve is ON.
- If the display shows SAb (Sabbath mode), turn Sabbath off so normal baking can resume.
What to look for (symptom-based)
| What you notice | Most likely direction | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| No heat and no response when starting bake | Control/clock/power issue | Set clock, reselect Bake, press START, reset breaker |
| Oven tries to start but never lights | Ignition or gas delivery to oven burner | Listen for ignition attempts; schedule service if gas smell occurs |
| Surface burners normal, oven consistently dead | Oven-specific gas valve/ignition circuit | Use the troubleshooting steps in the manual; consider pro diagnosis |
Parts that commonly relate to “oven won’t heat”
If your diagnosis points to a failed oven light or you are already servicing the oven cavity, these model-matched parts are commonly replaced during repairs:
- Range oven light bulb 316538904 (if the oven light is out)
- Range light socket 316116400 (if the bulb is good but the light still will not work)
- Range pressure regulator 5304521339 (only if gas supply/regulation is confirmed faulty)
- Range oven gas valve 316404901 (only after proper testing)
Why it matters
When the cooktop works but the oven does not, it usually means the range has gas supply, but the oven still needs the right control settings, electrical power for ignition, and a working oven ignition and gas valve system to heat safely and consistently.
Safety note
If you smell gas, turn off the gas supply, ventilate the area, and stop troubleshooting until the issue is corrected.
Last updated: February 2026




