In the bowels of: gas range

[HarryA]

For you folks that have not worked on a gas range /kitchen cook stove. In the photo the igniter at the top draws
current through the gas valve below. The igniter draws current slowly at first as it heats up to typically 3.5 amperes.
Only then does the heater (white windings) in the valve heat the bimetallic strip. It then rises upward uncovering the
output port normally covered by the silicone round pad on the right.  Thus the gas valve can only allow gas to  
flow into the burner if the igniter is functioning properly.