Gas Flame Too High? Adjust the Burner

What a flame that is too high means

A gas burner flame has a natural height set by the maker when the range is built. In general terms, a flame that is too high rises well above the burner cap, may lick up the sides of a pan, and often shows a yellow tip instead of a steady blue shape. It can also leave soot on the bottom of cookware.

A flame that is too high is not just a nuisance. It adds more heat around the pan, which can burn food, scorch handles, and increase the chance of a cooking fire. The United States Fire Administration notes that fires start when the heat is too high, so a burner that visibly runs too high deserves attention.

This article explains the two most common causes on a slide-in gas range: the pressure regulator and the burner orifice. It also says what you can check yourself and when to call a qualified installer. For the wider question of burner styles, see burner types on slide-in ranges.

The pressure regulator on a gas range

A gas range receives gas from the supply line, and a pressure regulator sits between the supply and the burner manifold. Its job, in general terms, is to lower the incoming gas pressure to the level the range's burners are designed for. When the regulator is set for a higher pressure than the maker specifies, every burner on the range can receive more gas than intended, and the flames will be too high.

The regulator is adjusted at the factory or during installation. The maker's installation instructions state what the regulator should be set to and who may change it. You should not open the regulator or loosen its seal yourself. A qualified installer or service technician can check the regulator and confirm the supply pressure.

Regulator problems are not always easy to tell from a listing or from a single burner observation. If you bought the range recently and the flame is high on every burner, the regulator is a likely starting point. The flame adjustment article covers the low-end adjustments, while this one stays with a flame that is too high.

The burner orifice and fuel type

Each burner has a small opening called an orifice that meters the flow of gas. The orifice size is matched to the fuel the range is made for. A range set up for natural gas uses a different orifice than a range set up for liquid propane (LP). If the wrong orifice is installed, the burner can receive too much gas, producing a tall flame that is hard to control.

Converting a gas range from natural gas to LP, or the reverse, is possible with the maker's conversion kit. The kit includes the correct orifices and instructions. The conversion is part of installation, so it is done by a qualified installer or service technician, not by the home owner. If a seller or installer says a range is LP convertible, read the maker's pages to see what the kit includes. The dual fuel options article explains the combination of a gas cooktop and an electric oven.

A tall flame on a single burner can also point to a burner cap that is not seated, rather than an orifice issue. If the cap sits crooked, the flame can be tall and uneven on that burner only. Re-seating the cap is a simple check; the flame adjustment article has more on that.

Checks you can do without tools

Before you call a technician, look at the burner setup. Make sure each burner cap is centered on its base and the grate is flat. Confirm that the knob corresponds to the burner you are looking at, and turn the burner off if the flame looks wrong.

You can do these checks in order:

Turn the burner off and let it cool.

Remove the grate and burner cap, then set the cap back squarely on the base.

Check that the knob is on the correct burner and not pulled out of its detent.

Read the maker's manual for the section on burner adjustments.

If the flame is still too high, contact a qualified installer or the maker's service line.

None of these checks involve opening a gas connection. The gas line itself is always handled by a qualified professional. If you see any smoke or the grease in a pan starts to boil, the USFA advises turning the burner off immediately.

• Turn the burner off and let it cool.
• Remove the grate and burner cap, then set the cap back squarely on the base.
• Check that the knob is on the correct burner and not pulled out of its detent.
• Read the maker's manual for the section on burner adjustments.
• If the flame is still too high, contact a qualified installer or the maker's service line.

When to call a qualified installer

A gas range's fuel supply, pressure regulator, and orifices are part of its installation. The maker's installation instructions and local codes decide what has to be done, and a qualified installer, plumber, or service technician answers those questions. If the flame is consistently too high, or if you switched fuel types and the flame changed after the switch, stop cooking on that burner and make the call.

Do not attempt to change the regulator or the orifice yourself, and do not loosen any gas fitting. The technician will bring the proper tools and read the maker's instructions for the model.

A well-adjusted gas range is more predictable to cook on. When you shop for a new range, the width, fuel type, and burner configuration are the details a listing states. See the buyers checklist before you buy.

Cooking safety while you wait

While a high flame is being corrected, keep the USFA's cooking safety messages in mind. Stand by your pan. If you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off. Watch what you are cooking: if you see smoke or the grease starts to boil, turn the burner off.

The USFA also recommends turning pot handles toward the back of the stove and keeping a pan lid or baking sheet nearby so you can cover a pan if it catches fire. These are general fire-safety steps, not a substitute for fixing the burner.

For more on choosing a gas range that matches your kitchen, the gas slide-in range guide lists picks by stated details.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Why is the flame on my gas slide-in range too high?

In general terms, the burner receives more gas than the maker intends. The two most common causes are a pressure regulator set for the wrong supply pressure and a burner orifice that does not match the fuel the range is connected to. Turn the burner off, read the maker's instructions, and call a qualified installer or service technician.

Can I adjust the burner flame myself?

You can re-seat a burner cap and read the maker's manual, but any change to the regulator or orifice is part of the gas installation. The maker's installation instructions and local codes decide who does that work; a qualified installer or service technician handles it. Do not loosen a gas fitting yourself.

Is a flame that is too high dangerous?

Yes. The USFA reports that cooking is the leading cause of home fires and that fires start when the heat is too high. If you see smoke or grease starting to boil, turn the burner off immediately.

What should I check before buying a gas slide-in range?

Read the listing for the fuel the range is made for, the width, and the burner details. Ask the seller whether a conversion kit is included if your home uses LP or if you plan to switch fuel. Read the maker's own range pages to see what each model states, and use the site's gas slide-in range guide to compare.