Are you wondering how to adjust a gas fireplace’s flame color? Whether you’re turning your gas fireplace on for the colder months or trying to set the mood, making sure that the settings are correct is critical for ensuring you have a good experience. If you’re curious about what the flame color means and how to adjust a gas fireplace flame color, so it looks more natural, we’ve got your back.
You’ve probably heard that blue flames are safe and healthy flames. This is true for most gas-burning appliances. However, when gas fireplaces were designed, they considered that a user is probably craving the wood-burning look and feel, without the mess. That’s why gas fireplaces have a flame whose tips are a yellow or orange color. Only in gas fireplaces is this still considered a healthy and unharmful flame.
If when you turn your gas fireplace on, the flames are remaining only blue, we’ve got your back. To adjust a gas fireplace’s flame color, follow these steps.
1. Find the Gas Log Control Knob
Light the gas logs by turning on the pilot knob. Allow it a couple of minutes while monitoring the color of the flames. If when it’s first turned on, the flames are mostly blue, that’s normal. After the particles and dust is burned off, the yellow and orange tips to the flames should be visible. If they still aren’t there and the flames are blue, follow the next steps.
2. Make Sure the Damper is Open
By opening the damper to the fireplace, you are allowing proper ventilation. This will control the color of the flame. To adjust it so that the flames have an orange or yellow tip to them, lower the air input. You can do this by changing the damper or by closing the air shutter.
The knobs to make these adjustments can be found behind the decorative front of the gas fireplace. If you need to remove these, make sure to turn off the fireplace and allow it to cool before you touch the front. If your gas fireplace came with a remote, these settings might be on there.
3. Give it a Few Minutes
Unfortunately, while you are making these adjustments, you may not see results when you make a change to the controls. Give the fire a few minutes to adjust to the different air levels. We would suggest waiting 30 minutes after making a change to see what it did and how the gas fireplace will respond.
4. If There Isn’t a Change, Check your Chimney or Air Vent
If you do not see a change in your gas fireplace’s flames, turn it off completely. Wait until it has cooled, and then perform some routine maintenance and checks on your fireplace ventilation. This ensures that your fire is getting the oxygen that it needs and ensuring that your home remains free of harmful gases.
FAQ
How do I get more flames in a gas fireplace?
You can get more flames by turning the key valve to high. This will open the gas line so you can increase the flames and their height in the fireplace.
I thought only blue flames were safe, are yellow flames safe in my gas fireplace?
Yes! While blue flames are a sign of a safe and healthy fire, gas fireplaces were made to look like a real wood-burning fire, so it’s safe when the flames are yellow.
Why are the flames so low in my gas fireplace?
There are two leading causes if the flame height in your gas fireplace is nothing to write home about. You can check the gas pressure, and if it’s too low, there won’t be enough to support higher flames. If there is too much airflow, it can hinder the fire. Restricting the vent to limit the airflow can also allow for higher flames.
Conclusion
We want to make sure you enjoy your gas fireplace and know how figuring out the best settings can be challenging. We created this quick how-to so you can enjoy a more natural-looking fire in your gas fireplace, and to keep your home safe.
Share your experience with us in the comments below! If you have friends who have been having issues with the gas fireplace, share this article with them to get back to enjoy a fire without the mess.
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