Updated on March 12, 2023
Many cooks prefer the steady heating power of a gas stove when it comes to preparing their favourite meals. It’s not uncommon for a gas stove to have an issue with uneven flames, but this can be very aggravating. There is no difference in strength between the flame on the lowest and highest settings.
Most of the time, a gas stove with a faint flame is not a sign that you need a repair. As a result, before you begin dismantling your stove, you might want to investigate the burners first.
What Causes Low Flame on Gas Stove
On a gas stove, a dirty burner head is the most typical cause of weak or uneven flames. A gradual change might occur over time. Small openings surround the burner head, allowing gas to escape and be ignited, resulting in a flame.
CONTROL VALVE
If none of the suggestions above resolves or even appears to be the cause of your problems, you may need to have a part replaced. The control valve is to blame if your stove has a weak but even flame, for example.
Pressure in your cooktop may be adjusted using the control valve. In order to adjust the intensity of your stove’s burners, you need to know how to use the various settings. If your stove’s flames are flickering or you can’t adjust the intensity of the flames, it’s possible that the control valve is defective and will need replacing.
For your own safety, turn off the gas and power to your stove before you begin this procedure. You can only access the gas control valve if you are using a range or a built-in cooktop because it is hidden under the burner knobs.
Before you can remove the stove’s primary cover, you’ll need to remove all of the burner heads and control knobs. Control valves for built-in stoves are easily accessible.
The manifold cover that covers the knobs must be removed if you are using a range. When you open your oven door, remove the screws on the upper edge by loosening them.
Remove the spark switch on the burner whose valve you are changing after the control valves are in reach. The gas tube can then be disconnected from the valve with a wrench. To remove the old valve, you’ll need to remove the mounting clamp screws.
Make certain that your new control valve’s gasket is in tact and that it is snugly fastened to its location. It’s highly suggested that you hire a professional to handle this repair, as it involves parts that are critical for transporting gas to your burners.
DIRTY BURNER HEAD
The burner head is one of the most common reasons of weak or uneven flames on your gas stove. A gradual change might occur over time.
Small openings surround the burner head, allowing gas to escape and be ignited, resulting in a flame. Grease and other food particles can easily clog these openings.
You can even use sponges to shove these objects into the slots when cleaning your stove. It’s common to imagine that the flames will eventually burn them away, but this isn’t the case at all.
Your gas cooktop may take longer to light and produce weaker flames if several burner holes are closed or partially blocked. This issue will only worsen as more spaces become unavailable.
Burner slots should be scrubbed with a toothbrush or a tiny piece of robust wire to prevent it from breaking off and falling into the slot. As an alternative, if this doesn’t get rid of all the oil and food particles in the burner slots, you’ll need to take the burner head apart and soak it in warm soapy water.
To be on the safe side, turn off the gas and unplug the stove before removing the burner assembly. Remove the burner head for cleaning by unscrewing the screws holding it in place.
The igniter electrode that is incorporated into the burner head may also need to be removed in some versions. Unplug the electrode from the stove below and gently pull it out of the burner head to remove it. You’ll need to do this after you’ve cleaned and dried the burner head.
THE POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR THIS ISSUE:
The pressure regulator is defective or of an unsuitable kind
Maintaining the correct pressure is the purpose of the pressure regulator. During the transfer of gas from the bottle to hose, it lowers the pressure and supplies the jet nozzle with gas. As a result, the gas can be used more safely. Your pressure regulator may be to blame if you’re not getting a good flame or if the flame goes out while you’re cooking.
Propane bottles have a 37 mbar pressure regulator, while butane bottles have a 28 mbar one. This is an important distinction to be aware of when purchasing gas bottles. Make sure your regulator is compatible with your gas bottle by checking the label. Otherwise, you’ll have to go out and get a new one.
In this case, it’s possible that the age-related failure of the pressure regulator is to blame. If this is the case, a new one will have to be purchased.
The Wrong Type of Gas Bottle Is Being Used
Different applications necessitate the usage of butane and propane gas bottles. When it comes to storage and affordability, propane is a better choice for outdoor use because it can withstand temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit (i.e. for barbecues and outdoor grills, etc.). In contrast, however, it is suggested that butane gas be used indoors (e.g. for gas hobs and portable heaters, etc.). As a result, if your gas hob’s flames are unsteady and difficult to maintain, it may be because you’re using the wrong gas bottle.
The bottle has been placed in the wrong type of environment
Propane and butane, as we saw before, serve two distinct purposes. Their characteristics help to understand this. When marketed in bottles, both types of gas are truly liquids. The way they respond to temperature fluctuations sets them apart from other materials. Butane returns to its gaseous state at roughly 0°C, whereas propane becomes a gas at around -40°C, which means it’s quite resistant to cold.
Is your gas stove’s flame weak or unstable because you’ve placed your butane gas bottle in a too-cold (approaching 0°C) environment? Then you will need to place the bottle in a more acceptable area.
