Catalyst solution for a gas range?

[MamaBear]

Please bear with me here. I'm 68 and haven't had chemistry since around 1967, or studied it since. ( though I have found what I learned, to be occasionally useful )

We have a cheapo GE gas range, that came with this modular house. Several times over the years, I couldn't see the flame burning under a pot and left it on, until I came back and noticed the smoke or the smell.



Gas ranges REALLY NEED PILOT LIGHTS - big bright red lights on the panel, to SHOW that the gas is lit.


I'm wondering if it would cost much to replace the top part ( burners and panel ) with one like that, or if the whole oven and everything needs to be replaced.


If that's too expensive: Those of you with chemistry backgrounds ( it's been since 1966-67 for me ), is there a good catalyst that could be safely put across the flame area, which would produce a bright color and distinctly indicate that the flame is lit? I'm thinking copper wire? Don't know what color that might produce, or if anything toxic would come with it.