• Question: What does a yellow flame mean on a gas furnace?

    Asked by chloelou98 to Cesar, Emily, Jamie, Kate, Philippa on 14 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Cesar Lopez-Monsalvo

      Cesar Lopez-Monsalvo answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      I am not sure about that. I think the color of the flame is related to the chemical composition of the gas. So Jamie should have a better idea.

    • Photo: Jamie Gallagher

      Jamie Gallagher answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      Cesar is almost right- flames can indicate what is burning. Sodium burns orange if I am right. there are other compounds which burn all kinds of colours.Like green from boron compounds : http://www.flickr.com/photos/37388341@N00/1491624607/

      But back to the question at hand. I guess we are talking about a gas stove, or a hob of a cooker. The colour of natural gas flames depends how much oxygen is in the flame. Yellow is not ideal. The flame if it has enough oxygen will burn blue. A yellow flame needs more oxygen to burn fully and safely. Blue burns more complete. You might want to get this checked out!

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