Strange flame pattern gas range
#1
09-12-08, 05:28 AM
Strange flame pattern gas range
Hello all, it seems I may be having issues with my range. Just moved into my home about 2 months ago. When using the propane range, the flame looks normal (nice and blue, little to no yellow) for the first few minutes after lighting. After about 3 to 5 minutes, the flame gets yellow about an inch or so from the burner. It does this on all burners and the oven burner and broiler. Do you think this could be a problem with my propane regulator? The flame pattern on my water heater looks fine. By the nameplate, this was a NG stove that (hopefully) was properly converted for LP use, but I have no documentation that the conversion was done. Thanks for your help.
#2
09-12-08, 07:58 AM
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Hello Navysnipe and Welcome to the Gas Appliances topic.
2 possible causes come to mind at this time:
#1:
Over gassed burners. Conversion from Nat to LP not done or not done correctly.
#2:
Defective appliance regulator or not converted regulator.
Air shutter adjustment may solve the condition. Air shutters are located on the burner tubes very near the brass/bronze orifice.
If adjusting the air intake shutters does not correct the yellow tipped flames when the shutters are opened fully, the burner is over gassed. Which means the orifice is opened too much, {if it's the type that can be adjusted} or the hole diameter is too large. Which is likely the case, if the appliance was formerly set up to burn natural gas and now uses propane.
If the burner flames are too high {Large} this can also be do to an incorrect orifice hole size and or incorrect air and/or orifice adjustment.
Another possibility is the appliances regulator. It has to be a propane regulator and not a natural gas regulator. If there isn't any regulator already installed, then one needs to be installed.
Also possible the orifices have been incorrectly adjusted, not replaced with the correct ones during a conversion.
If the orifices are adjustable, use a 7/16 wrench and turn them in-wards toward the manifold pipe to reduce the flame size. If adjustment doesn't work, then there isn't any spade point part inside the orifice. In this case, the hole is too large.
#1
The burner orifice is either opened too much [allowing too much gas out} or it is none adjustable. You'll have to use a 7/16 inch wrench and turn the brass orifice clockwise until it is either closed fully or bottomed out on the gas valve.
If the orifice bottoms out fully and gas continues to flow through it when the oven is turned back on, it is a non adjustable orifice. In this case, the hole in it is too large. It should be replaced with an LP orifice sized for the gas input rating of the burner. {Most oven burners are 18,000 Btu's}
If no gas passes through the fully closed orifice, it's an adjustable orifice. In this case, open it 3 or 4 turns and check the flames size. When adjusted correctly, the flames should cover only 2/3 of each side of the flame spreader*.
{*The flame spreader is that plate that sets on top on the burner tube and is attached with a wing nut or nut on a threaded stud}
#2
The air shutter adjustment needs to be OPENED more or fully. Once this is adjusted correctly, the yellow flames will disappear if the correct orifice is installed and or adjusted correctly.
#3
Large yellow burner flames can also be caused by a lack of oxygen {Air} into the burner tube {Venturi} or lack of oxygen {Air} into the oven from restricted intake vents around the ovens own cabinet and or a restricted exhaust flue vent within the ovens baking compartment.
Additional Advice and Information Here:
Read the Range-Stove-Oven-Broiler Basic Help Informational Sticky Note, in this forums topic, for more detailed information.
Range-Stove-Oven-Broiler Basic Help Information, Fault Codes & Mfg's Web Site Links http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=159808
"Be sure the electrical power and the gas supply to the appliance is turned off, before attempting any repairs. Always check for gas leaks whenever the appliance is moved and/or a repair includes any connection of a gas part."
An excellent source for orifice replacements is your local retail appliance parts store. Parts dealers are listed in the phone book under appliances.
Web Site Host, Gas Appliances Topic Moderator & Multiple Forums Moderator. Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics and Repair Technician.
Personal Driving Safety Reminder:
Buckle Up & Drive Safely. "The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."
2 possible causes come to mind at this time:
#1:
Over gassed burners. Conversion from Nat to LP not done or not done correctly.
#2:
Defective appliance regulator or not converted regulator.
Air shutter adjustment may solve the condition. Air shutters are located on the burner tubes very near the brass/bronze orifice.
If adjusting the air intake shutters does not correct the yellow tipped flames when the shutters are opened fully, the burner is over gassed. Which means the orifice is opened too much, {if it's the type that can be adjusted} or the hole diameter is too large. Which is likely the case, if the appliance was formerly set up to burn natural gas and now uses propane.
If the burner flames are too high {Large} this can also be do to an incorrect orifice hole size and or incorrect air and/or orifice adjustment.
Another possibility is the appliances regulator. It has to be a propane regulator and not a natural gas regulator. If there isn't any regulator already installed, then one needs to be installed.
Also possible the orifices have been incorrectly adjusted, not replaced with the correct ones during a conversion.
If the orifices are adjustable, use a 7/16 wrench and turn them in-wards toward the manifold pipe to reduce the flame size. If adjustment doesn't work, then there isn't any spade point part inside the orifice. In this case, the hole is too large.
#1
The burner orifice is either opened too much [allowing too much gas out} or it is none adjustable. You'll have to use a 7/16 inch wrench and turn the brass orifice clockwise until it is either closed fully or bottomed out on the gas valve.
If the orifice bottoms out fully and gas continues to flow through it when the oven is turned back on, it is a non adjustable orifice. In this case, the hole in it is too large. It should be replaced with an LP orifice sized for the gas input rating of the burner. {Most oven burners are 18,000 Btu's}
If no gas passes through the fully closed orifice, it's an adjustable orifice. In this case, open it 3 or 4 turns and check the flames size. When adjusted correctly, the flames should cover only 2/3 of each side of the flame spreader*.
{*The flame spreader is that plate that sets on top on the burner tube and is attached with a wing nut or nut on a threaded stud}
#2
The air shutter adjustment needs to be OPENED more or fully. Once this is adjusted correctly, the yellow flames will disappear if the correct orifice is installed and or adjusted correctly.
#3
Large yellow burner flames can also be caused by a lack of oxygen {Air} into the burner tube {Venturi} or lack of oxygen {Air} into the oven from restricted intake vents around the ovens own cabinet and or a restricted exhaust flue vent within the ovens baking compartment.
Additional Advice and Information Here:
Read the Range-Stove-Oven-Broiler Basic Help Informational Sticky Note, in this forums topic, for more detailed information.
Range-Stove-Oven-Broiler Basic Help Information, Fault Codes & Mfg's Web Site Links http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=159808
"Be sure the electrical power and the gas supply to the appliance is turned off, before attempting any repairs. Always check for gas leaks whenever the appliance is moved and/or a repair includes any connection of a gas part."
An excellent source for orifice replacements is your local retail appliance parts store. Parts dealers are listed in the phone book under appliances.
Web Site Host, Gas Appliances Topic Moderator & Multiple Forums Moderator. Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics and Repair Technician.
Personal Driving Safety Reminder:
Buckle Up & Drive Safely. "The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."
#3
09-14-08, 01:07 AM
Got it fixed!
Thanks for the advice, took care of the problem today. They had the appliance regulator set correctly for LP, but the orfices were not screwed all the way in. Also, the oven air shutter was shut halfway. Thanks againBeer 4U2
