Why Is The Flame Blue On My Propane Gas Cooktop?

The blue propane gas flame you see when you use your propane cooktop means all is well, combustion-wise.

When the ratio of fuel to air is correct, there is enough oxygen for complete combustion of propane. Complete combustion and a blue flame mean that your propane is burning at its full heat, so you aren’t wasting any expended energy.

What If The Flame Is Orange Or Yellow?

Orange or yellow propane gas flames mean that the propane is not being completely burned. When these color flames occur on the burners of a propane cooktop, the cause is usually related to a burner being out of adjustment or blockages in the air inlet, such as from small, burnt food particles.

This results in decreased fuel efficiency. Check out the difference in temperatures. In complete combustion with a blue-colored flame, the temperature of a propane flame is 3,596° F.

However, with a yellow or orange flame, the flame’s temperature decreases all the way down to 1,832° F. With only half the heat energy now at your disposal, you’ll probably notice difficulties caused by uneven temperature when cooking. For example, you likely won’t be able to achieve even browning or searing when cooking a meal.

This same inefficiency will result in higher energy bills if a yellow or orange flame is present in your home’s heating or water heating system. Who wants to wash clothes, cook, bathe, clean or heat your home using only half of propane’s power?

Even more importantly, yellow or orange flames can pose a safety risk. The incomplete combustion that causes these off-color flames can lead to a carbon monoxide buildup in your home.

So, if you are seeing yellow or orange flames, or notice a build-up of soot or carbon around your burners, contact your propane service contractor equipment as soon as possible and get the problem corrected.

Smell Gas? Follow These Tips

If you smell propane in your home, please take heed of these suggestions.

• DO make an attempt to turn off the valves at the tank, but only if it is safe to do so.
• DO make sure everyone leaves the home and gets away from nearby areas.
• DO place a call to your propane supplier as well as the fire department. Make these calls with a phone that is away from the home.
• DO NOT light matches anywhere inside or near the home.
• DO NOT use light switches inside the home.
• DO NOT look for the leak.
• DO NOT attempt to relight your pilot light or repair your appliance.
• DO NOT make any calls from inside your home or from any nearby areas.
• DO NOT come back to the area until first responders have let you know that it safe to do so

Please read more propane safety tips.