7 Reasons Your Cooktop Burner Flame is Too High & How to Fix The Problem

Understanding the Science of Gas Range Flames

Gas cooktops are a staple in many kitchens, providing a precise and effective heat source for cooking. It's important to understand how these burners function, what a normal gas stove flame should look like, and the issues that can arise when the flame is too high. In this section, we'll delve into the mechanics of gas cooktop burners, the ideal flame size, and the problems a high flame can cause.

Working on natural gas or propane, gas burners release these gases through tiny holes, known as orifices. When lit, the gas mixes with the air, forming a flame that provides heat. The size of the flame depends on the gas flow through the orifice and the amount of air mixed in.

The optimal gas range flame is blue, signifying efficient combustion. A blue flame is steady, consistent, and distributes heat evenly across your cookware. A yellow or orange flame indicates an improper air-to-gas ratio, leading to incomplete combustion and inefficient heating.

When the flames on your gas stove are too high, they can cause several problems. Uneven cooking is one, as the edges of your cookware receive more heat than the center, leading to burned or unevenly cooked food. Additionally, high flames increase the risk of flare-ups or accidental fires. So, maintaining a controlled, normal gas stove flame is crucial for safety and effective cooking.

7 Reasons Your Cooktop Burner Flame is Too High

Many common issues can lead to high flames on your gas range. Identifying these is the first step towards troubleshooting and fixing the problem. Here are seven common reasons your cooktop burner flame is too high:

1. Dirty or Blocked Burner Ports

Over time, food particles, grease, and debris can accumulate in the burner ports, obstructing the gas flow. This can result in flames that are higher than normal. Regular cleaning of the burner ports can prevent this issue.

Follow the DIY tips in this video to clean burner heads on your stove:

If cleaning the burner head doesn’t solve the problem, schedule repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the stove.

2. Burner Cap or Head Not Sitting Flat

A crooked burner cap or burner head can cause an unusual flame on the cooktop. Allow the burner to cool completely and then check the installation of the cap and burner head. Refer to your owner’s manual or look at a burner that’s operating properly to see the correct positioning of the cap and burner head. Align or adjust the components properly if necessary. This may fix the problem. If not, have your cooktop serviced by a technician.

3. LP Gas Being Used On a Stove Set for Natural Gas

If all the surface burner flames are too large and you just installed the range, the pressure regulator and orifices on the cooktop may be set for natural gas. Check the installation guide if you’re using LP (Propane) gas to determine whether you need to have an installer convert the stove to use LP gas. Our How to convert a gas range to operate on LP gas video shows the process for a common type of stove. You’ll need to have an installer or gas technician convert the range to LP gas in most areas instead of trying to fix this issue yourself.

4. Burner Flame Needs Adjustment

When a burner flame is too high on the low or simmer setting, you may be able to adjust the burner flame yourself. Check the owner’s manual for instructions on adjusting the burner flame. Here’s a step-by-step procedure that you can use to adjust the flame on many common Samsung, LG, Kenmore and Whirlpool cooktops:

1. Turn the surface burner being adjusted to the low or simmer setting.
2. Remove the burner knob.
3. Insert a small, flat-blade screwdriver into the valve shaft.
4. Turn the valve adjustment screw to adjust the flame. Take your time and make gradual adjustments. It may take a few attempts to get the flame height just right.
5. Replace the burner knob.

If you prefer to have a Sears Home Services technician adjust the burner flame, schedule repair service.

5. Incorrect Gas Supply Pressure

Excessively high gas pressure can result in high flames on your gas stove. This could be due to a faulty gas regulator or a problem with the gas supply. In such cases, it's best to consult a professional technician to check and adjust the gas pressure.

6. Faulty Pressure Regulator on Your Stove

An internal pressure regulator on your stove or cooktop reduces gas supply pressure to the proper level. When the internal regulator goes bad, all burners will typically be uncontrollably high. Schedule service to have a Sears Home Services technician fix this type of problem.

7. Burner Caps and/or Burner Heads Not Located Properly

If you pulled off the burner caps (or the caps and burner heads) for cleaning and didn’t reinstall them in the correct locations on the cooktop, then high flames can result on some burners. Allow the burners to cool completely and then check that the burner caps and heads are in the proper locations on your cooktop. Refer to your owner’s manual for help identifying where burner heads and caps go on your model of stove or cooktop.

By following these expert tips, you may be able to fix a problem with high flames on your cooktop or stove surface burners.

Remember, safety is paramount -- don't hesitate to schedule professional repair service if needed to fix your cooktop or range.