Gas stoves are an essential part of many kitchens, but they can be tricky to work with. If you notice that your gas stove has a yellow flame rather than blue or orange, it could be a signal that something isn’t right, and you might need to call in professionals to help you out.
Before you do that, however, read on for some quick and easy steps about how to fix a yellow flame on a gas stove and you could save yourself a few bucks.
Yellow flames on gas stoves are almost always an indication that there is incomplete combustion. While it might not sound so bad, incomplete combustion leads to the release of carbon monoxide which is a pretty harmful gas, to say the least.
The above is the scientific explanation, however, the yellow flame could also be caused by elementary issues like dirt and residue buildup in the burner area, these are quite common actually.
Dirt and residue can accumulate over time as grease from cooking drips down into the burner or if there are food particles stuck to the surface which then burn up when lit by an open flame.
For older gas ranges, a defective pilot light could also be the culprit.
Here are the major causes of yellow flames on a gas stove and how to fix them:
1. Dirty and clogged burners
Solution: Clean your gas burners
If you don’t have time to clean and fix your gas burner, call for professional help! There are many benefits to hiring professionals rather than trying it yourself, including not risking injury or damaging sensitive parts like valves.
If you’re like me, however, and want to do everything yourself, then follow these steps:
- Make sure everything is off and cool first! You’ll need some basic supplies like dish soap, vinegar, or lemon juice (depending on your gas stove), old socks or gloves, a baking sheet with edges that are non-stick, and paper towels.
- Make sure you’re wearing gloves or old socks before cleaning! If they are not non-stick, line the baking sheet with them so that nothing will stick to it while you clean.
- Put your stovetop on the prepared surface and lightly cover it with dish soap, vinegar, or lemon juice (depending on what type of gas stove you have).
- Rub the surface until it’s clean, then rinse with hot water and dry.
- Clean out debris from burner holes – A buildup of lint, dirt, and debris can cause a yellow flame on your gas stove. Clear out the burner holes with a toothbrush, or try using some compressed air to blast away any impurities that may be causing this problem.
2: Running out of fuel
Solution: Check gas tank levels
This is usually the most common reason for yellow flames on a gas stove. Although the flames could also be a result of dirty or clogged fuel lines like we’ve seen above, running out of fuel is by far the most common cause of this problem.
The best way of diagnosing an issue like this is to check the tank levels on the natural gas line running into your house. This should show you whether or not you need to refuel your gas tank.
If the levels are low, then all that’s left is to turn off the stove and refill your tank with a new supply of gas.
Be sure not to use anything other than what was initially supplied by the company that installed your appliances!
For extra precaution, It’s also recommended that you check whether the gas tank levels are low because of a leak, in which case you’d have to call a professional to inspect the tank in case you suspect there a few leaks.
3: Running out of air
Solution: Inspect gas lines and ventilation
Although this is an infrequent cause of yellow flames on the gas stove, It does happen in certain cases but is not often reported as the problem.
Running out of air usually happens when there are leaks from pipes or fittings in your system or if you don’t have enough venting to release all the fumes.
If you checked the first two causes above and you’re still experiencing yellow flames on the stove, then this is probably what’s going on.
You need to have a professional come in and inspect your home for leaks and venting issues before you can do anything else in the effort to fix the yellow flame on the gas stove.
Be sure that all of your appliances are vented outside or through venting pipes and not just into an attic space where they can cause more problems by back-drafting smoke from chimneys.
Here are some steps you can follow when your gas stove is running out of air:
i) Check for air leaks and tighten any loose connections
The yellow flame on a gas stove can be caused by an air leak causing it to go out. The best way to fix this issue is to tighten any loose connections.
ii) Re-tighten the gas line
This will help you ensure that there is no leakage, which can cause yellow flames or even a gas stove explosion.
The gas line can sometimes become loose as it gets old and worn out. When this happens, the yellow flame will return in full force because there is no pressure; so tighten up your line before the stove is lit again.
You’ll need a wrench and some pliers for this step of the process, so have them handy for when you’re ready to go!
Tighten the connection by hand and then use pliers to tighten it up even more. You can also twist in an “L” shape with your pliers for extra tightness if you like, but make sure not to overdo it, or else you’ll damage the line again!
Next, check if the gas is flowing by opening and closing the valve, the flame should go up steadily; this indicates no leaks in either hose or connections, so it’s time for you to reconnect everything.
How to detect a gas leak
Smell: Most gas companies add a chemical called mercaptan to give gas a distinctive odor. The result is a rotten egg-like odor that you should take note of when inspecting your gas line.
Sound: Look out for any hissing sound around your gas lines.
Use a detector: This is obviously the most efficient method. There’re several gas detectors available cheaply on amazon.
Conduct the Soapy Water Test: Add a teaspoon of soap into a cup of water. Mix the two together to make a concentrated solution. Soak the area you suspect is leaking with the solution and look out for any bubbles. The presence of bubbles will confirm that there’s a leak.
4. Defective Pilot light
Solution: Inspect the pilot light by removing the cover
For most old fashion gas ranges, a pilot light provides the flame with heat, so if it has gone out or isn’t working right, your stove may have a yellow flame.
Take off the cover and inspect the pilot light, If there’s smoke coming from around it (or you’re not sure if it’s too dark to see), then this needs to be addressed before the stove is lit again.
If everything looks okay as far as the gas line and the top of the stove, then it’s time to change out or replace your old pilot light.
SAFETY TIPS
- Always call in a professional if you’re unsure of what you’re doing.
- Be sure to read the manufacturer’s manual before tampering with anything.
- Remember to turn off your gas before performing any of the steps above.
- Alert everyone nearby and evacuate to a safe place if you suspect a serious gas leak.
- Do not use anything that can cause an ignition near your gas tank or when inspecting your gas line.
WRAP UP
If you follow the steps outlined in this blog post, your yellow flame should be fixed, however, If you’re still unsure what the problem is, it’s best to call in a professional. Remember safety should be your number one priority.
Disclaimer: The steps above are only meant to help you understand what could be causing a yellow flame on your gas stove and are not meant to replace any professional advice.