How to Test Gas Appliances

Turn on a gas appliance in the evening, such as a gas stove or oven. Make sure you are turning the appliance on fully to avoid leaking gas fumes. For example, turn a stove knob to "LITE" to turn the appliance on, then adjust as necessary.

Turn off all overhead lights and lamps to observe the appliance's gas flame. The appliance should emit a solid blue flame, which is the burning of methane gas. Methane is the most abundant of our natural gas supply and turns blue when burning. If yellow, orange, red, purple or green colors are also present within the flame, more than methane gas is burning. Referred to as condensates by the gas service industry, additional color flames can be indicative of tar, dust, rust, toluene or benzene present in your appliance. These colors often burst out from within the flame and are hazardous chemicals that become a part of your indoor air.

Clean your appliance as needed once you have turned it back off, or call a gas service company for advice or to schedule an appointment to repair your appliance. Keep your appliance turned off until it has been serviced.