Signs & Symptoms of Poor Gas Burner Combustion

Flame Color

• The flame on your gas stove or hot water heater should be a steady bright blue. Impurities in the gas or dust particles in the air may cause orange flickers in the flame, but a flame that is mostly yellow or orange is an indication of a problem. It might simply mean that there is a dirt or grease buildup or a food obstruction on a stove. If cleaning the appliance does not fix the problem, consult a service technician.

Delayed or Faulty Ignition

• A properly working gas apparatus should ignite as soon as the knob or key is turned. If the ignition clicks on a gas stove but the burner does not immediately light and the whooshing sound of gas ignition is absent, this might indicate the presence of an obstruction.

Soot

• A sooty or yellowed stain on the ceiling of a room with a fireplace or an attached garage is another sign of incomplete combustion. Soot is composed of tiny carbon particles of disparate size that have not burned. These tiny particles can form as a result of a dirty or obstructed chimney, obstructed air vents or a buildup of dirt or debris in the mechanism of a gas-fueled appliance.

Operational Issues

• Intermittent operational problems with gas appliances may be a result of improper gas combustion. Gas appliances contain mechanical parts that regulate the amount of gas flow. If the mechanism is broken, incorrectly sized or faulty, it can cause either too much or too little gas input. In addition to operational problems, delayed repairs can lead to damaged mechanical components.