我觉得你可以说"to turn on the gas"还是"to turn onthe stove"。不过我不肯定【打开灶火】意味着这么。(Hehe, I'm sorry for my horrible Chinese. >_>)

Agree with Harregarre. I guess if there is a figurative meaning, it must be along the lines f starting up a family, you know, like they say "两口子打开灶火开始过日子了". (Although I don't think this is needed.)