Why Is the Flame On My Gas Stove Orange, And What Can I Do To Fix It?

Technically Reviewed by Oleg Chudnovski, CEO on Mar 18, 2024 | Written by Olga Larina

In this article…

• What Does an Orange Flame On the Gas Stove Mean?
• Why is a Gas Stove Flame Orange?
• How to Fix the Orange Flame on a Gas Stove?
• Is an Orange, Red or Yellow Flame On a Gas Stove Dangerous?

Owning a gas appliance necessitates careful consideration for its repair and maintenance. At Fix Appliances CA, our team includes knowledgeable and skilled gas fitters capable of addressing any issues with your gas stove. Based on our extensive experience, a common inquiry our experts receive is: why is the flame on my gas stove appearing orange, red, or yellow, and what does it indicate?

It’s essential to understand that the flames of a properly functioning and safe gas stove are typically blue. This blue hue signifies that your gas stove is operating efficiently and releasing an appropriate amount of carbon monoxide. If you notice an orange flame on your gas stove, it suggests incomplete combustion, typically due to dirt or blockages in the burner or gas ports. Therefore, carefully clean these components to minimize the risk of carbon monoxide production. Additionally, low gas pressure or a faulty regulator may be contributing factors, necessitating professional examination. To encourage effective combustion and avoid carbon monoxide accumulation, adequate ventilation is crucial. It is best to get professional assistance if problems continue after cleaning and gas pressure checks.

Deciphering the colour of your gas stove flame is akin to interpreting a language that signals potential hazards. An orange flame indicates incomplete combustion, underscoring the importance of addressing issues ranging from air-fuel ratios to burner cleanliness. Precision in repair is not merely about ensuring appliance functionality but serves as a defence against the subtle threat of carbon monoxide. This underscores the necessity for expert intervention and meticulous attention to detail.

Oleg Chudnovski, SEO

What Does an Orange Flame On the Gas Stove Mean?

The flames from a gas stove using natural gas need attention and care as any other colour can clue on to a possible hazard. The burners may need cleaning or adjusting if you see orange, yellow or red flames instead of blue flames. The orange colour warns you that the gas stove has inappropriate combustion and may emit treacherous carbon monoxide gas (CO) levels.

The orange flame is a symptom of excessive carbon monoxide, the so-called silent killer:

• Extremely lethal for the human body, it can lead to symptoms like headaches, light-headedness, nausea, and dizziness.
• Responsible for damaging your utensils – it turns your new and shiny utensils black. Thus, it is hard or impossible to clean to its initial view. Moreover, it can reduce the overall strength of the utensil.
• Third, it is a sign that your stove is not working properly and needs professional gas fitters’ immediate attention and gas appliance repair.

A yellow flame could signify that the burner is not receiving sufficient air for the thorough combustion of the gas. In such instances, resolving this issue involves adjusting the air shutter of the burner to allow for increased air intake.

Why is a Gas Stove Flame Orange?

An orange flame signals the presence of carbon monoxide, a byproduct of incomplete combustion. This can lead to issues concerning food, utensils, and human health. Some primary reasons for an orange flame may include:

• Extra humidity in the air
• The gas stove is getting clogged due to excessive soot
• Insufficient amount of oxygen

The normal flame is blue, but if you notice a yellowish-orange flame on the stove, it is a sign of disorder. Burning an orange flame means releasing a large amount of carbon monoxide.

The other thing is that the orifices are clogged for some reason, and sometimes, proper combustion doesn’t occur, resulting in orange flames. Thus, fixing the appliance immediately to prevent any problem is a high priority.

If the flame of the gas stove is burning orange, it means that the gas stove is to be fixed immediately as it is not working properly.

How to Fix the Orange Flame on a Gas Stove?

Whenever you see a problem with the colour change of the flame, you should fix it as soon as possible. Having faced this problem more often, we must admit the following factors on why orange flame may appear on your gas stove and how to fix this problem:

1. Humidity Level: Humidifiers are necessary, but the flame colour should also be changed from blue to orange. If your humidifier is turned on near any stove, turn it off and see whether that makes a difference.
2. Proper Orifices: Make sure you use the proper orifices depending on your range (whether you are using natural gas or propane). Along with this adjustment, ensure that the gas pressure regulator valve was changed and the brass orifice was adjusted.
3. Clean Burners: Ensure that the gas-burning orifices on the stove are clean and free from any kind of waste. You have to clean the stove well so no clogged soot is left in the igniter or the holes. Make certain that all portholes and burners are free of debris. Cooking grease on any spillovers may block these openings and, in turn, affect the colour of the flame.
   NB: After cleaning, ensure that you put them in the same position, which can also influence the flame colour.
4.  Air Fuel Ratio: Another problem that may cause the flame to turn orange is the fuel-to-air ratio. When your burner is not getting enough air, there is no complete combustion of gas. If so, adjust the burner’s air shutter to allow more air.

Is an Orange, Red or Yellow Flame On a Gas Stove Dangerous?

Orange, red, or yellow flames can be very serious and harmful as they are formed due to improper gas stove work. The carbon monoxide (CO) released is poisonous and can cause severe health problems. Carbon monoxide is not a noticeable gas, so we do not even notice that we are inhaling it until it’s too late.

Moreover, when the appliance is not working properly, it can cause an explosion.
It is advised to deal with the gas stove properly. One should be very careful while using the gas stove. Whenever you find a tiny difference in the colour of the flame, repair it before working on it to prevent substantial consequences.

You shouldn’t worry as long as the stove flame is blue, but whenever it turns orange, you should repair it as soon as possible to avoid any hazards.

If you face this complicated and hazardous problem, don’t hesitate to contact the professional and certified team of gas fitters at Fix Appliances CA. Schedule a visit and receive the qualified aid on gas appliance repair service the same day.

Professional Assistance When Gas Stove Flame Orange

FIX Appliances CA is the largest company in the Canadian market of household appliance repair, with its head office in the GTA area. We are always nearby; thus, you can contact our customer representatives by sending a quote online or calling the toll-free number 888-242-0777 from Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm, including weekends and holidays. We provide our services in many places in the GTA and Southern Ontario area, including Barrie, Oshawa, Hamilton, Toronto and more.

Oleg Chudnovski, CEO

Oleg Chudnovski is the owner of Fix Appliances CA. His company serves as an authorized repair centre for leading manufacturers in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), including Panasonic, Fisher and Paykel, LG, Samsung, Dacor, among others. Oleg leverages his daily experience to assist technicians and clients in addressing repairs of any complexity.