Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

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Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

April 10, 2024, 04:54:42 pm

Hi folks,

Long time since I've posted here. Hope everyone is doing well.

We're using our RV for 1st time in 18 months. Just made a banzai run from Nevada to Texas in 2+days to see the eclipse. Will try to post about that at a later time.

For the moment, looking for your expert diagnosis and suggestion: we're finding that our center burner (highest BTUs) burns with a tall yellow flame, while our left and right burners are working perfectly with proper height, proper color blue flame.

Is there some way I can remove the center burner to clean it (I'm assuming it may have soot buildup)? I can't see how to get access to it.

Or do I need to buy a replacement, and if so, does anyone know what part number to look for online? My searches for Atwood Wedgewood burners are returning Atwood 52715 RV Stove Burner Assembly, but that's different/newer than my assembly (although the shape looks very similar, but does not have the visible flame holes on the side of the burner).

So I welcome suggestions or tips on how I might be able to clean/fix the problem causing the yellow flames for only this center burner, OR, what part number I should be searching for if you feel a replacement burner is likely needed. Or if you think an RV tech person can clean it somehow that I cannot, I'd welcome that feedback too.

Picture of the contrasting flames included below. Thanks in advance for anyone's inputs and suggestions!

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #1 – April 10, 2024, 05:25:44 pm

I think you're right to suspect something associated with that particular burner.

The burner heads do indeed come off, and can be cleaned out or replaced. You would have to pull up the grate, and then this video explains how to remove the black pan under/around the burners and clean the burners out.

https://youtu.be/_3D6_pFIvek?si=sI3-f3C4ysyOcci-&t=70

Rich

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #2 – April 10, 2024, 05:36:16 pm

"The burner heads do indeed come off, and..."

Thanks, Rich

I was composing a reply when the answer arrived... great video explaning the solution, been there, done that!

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #3 – April 10, 2024, 05:38:04 pm

Hi Rich,

Thanks for your quick reply. I eagerly clicked the video link only to get this message: "This video isn't available anymore" I'm not sure if you would have any way of tracking down where it might have gone, or any other sources for similar information.

Thanks in advance Rich!
S-

Steven Crisp

Email: scrisp@mac.com
Cell: 603-732-3668

Quote

On Apr 10, 2024, at 4:25 PM, rich

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #4 – April 10, 2024, 05:46:36 pm

Try this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3D6_pFIvek&t=7s&ab_channel=RVProject

or this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3D6_pFIvek&t=7s&ab_channel=RVProject

If not, search youtube for 'Cleaning your Atwood range burners'

Rich

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #5 – April 14, 2024, 02:05:38 am

Thanks Rich, that is very helpful. I'll try the fix tomorrow and report back. Appreciate the assistance and follow-up!

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #6 – April 14, 2024, 10:58:46 am

We had a yellow flame on the front burner too. As you know, the burner tube simply slips into the connection after unscrewing it. That connection is suppose to be tight. Our connection was allowing too much air to mix with the propane. I used aluminum tape to seal off the air gap at the connection and it solved our problem.

Hope this helps.

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #7 – April 14, 2024, 02:59:35 pm

Well, here's what I've done so far.

I took off the center front burner, and shook it, and lots of black carbon dust came out. No obvious visible crud in the entry of the tube as shown in the video. I thought, great, I'm all set now. Put it back, and still had the same issue (significant yellow flames on top of the blue flames); neither of the other two burners have this issue. Also, the sound of the burner is different than the other two, with the good burners having a much more pronounced "venturi effect" sound of gas rushing through a narrow opening.

Bottom line - no change from dumping out a significant amount of carbon.

I took Ed's suggestion, and tested it out with some aluminum foil to see if it would help. It seemed to do nothing or make the problem slightly worse, which is consistent with what I had read, that yellow flames were a result of a low oxygen situation. Or that's what I recall reading, but have not first hand experience; in any case, I don't think closing off the large opening (that is present on all of the burners) will help in my situation for whatever reason.

Finally, I looked into just buying a new burner. My stove is Model Number R-W1731BGP and was manufactured on 03/22/2000. The issue is with my 9000 BTU center/front burner for my Atwood Wedgewood stove from a 2000 26.5' Mid-Bath. I believe the Atwood part number for my unit is 56155 from a manual I found online. However, the only part I can find anywhere online is part number 52715, but that is for a newer model stove than I have (they are similarly shaped, but different construction). Does anyone know if the newer burner can be used as a replacement for my older stove? If so, will they mix and match, so I can just replace the bad burner?

Thanks in advance for all the suggestions and pointers so far -- they are very much appreciated. In the meantime, the other two burners are still working properly, so we are not dead in the water. Just takes longer to make the morning coffee ;-)

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #8 – April 14, 2024, 03:37:28 pm

I found an article that goes into some detail about what the flame colors mean in a gas stove:

Yellow Flame On Gas Stove - Meaning, Cause And Fix

Key point: a yellow flame means it's probably generating more carbon monoxide than normal. So until you get the problem fixed, it might be a good idea not to use that burner.

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #9 – April 14, 2024, 04:10:17 pm

Quote from: Steve and Carol Crisp - April 14, 2024, 02:59:35 pm

Thanks in advance for all the suggestions and pointers so far -- they are very much appreciated. In the meantime, the other two burners are still working properly, so we are not dead in the water. Just takes longer to make the morning coffee ;-)

Can you swap the middle burner with one of the others to see if the problem moves too?

If it moves, the orifice in the burner could be worn larger (letting in too much fuel), and it just needs to be replaced.

Rich

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #10 – April 14, 2024, 04:29:54 pm

Quote from: rich - April 14, 2024, 04:10:17 pm

Can you swap the middle burner with one of the others to see if the problem moves too?

If it moves, the orifice in the burner could be worn larger (letting in too much fuel), and it just needs to be replaced.

Rich

Hi Rich,

Yes I did try such a swap, and the yellow flames followed the burner. So that provided some more grist for the mill.

I did look into buying a replacement burner, but could find none that matched my older (2000) stove model. The newer ones (post 2002 or 2003) look to be the same shape, but have a different burner design. Do you (or anyone) know if they can be used in my older model stove? If so, that would be good to know and I'll order one.

Thanks for the inputs!

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #11 – April 14, 2024, 04:41:28 pm

Quote from: Steve and Carol Crisp - April 14, 2024, 04:29:54 pm

Hi Rich,

Yes I did try such a swap, and the yellow flames followed the burner. So that provided some more grist for the mill.

I did look into buying a replacement burner, but could find none that matched my older (2000) stove model. The newer ones (post 2002 or 2003) look to be the same shape, but have a different burner design. Do you (or anyone) know if they can be used in my older model stove? If so, that would be good to know and I'll order one.

Thanks for the inputs!

I see that you did tell us that before I asked and I overlooked it.

If you can find the stove model # (on a tag inside the oven door?), the dometic parts site might help you identify if the burner you're finding will work with your particular stove.

Service Parts by Category.

Rich

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #12 – April 14, 2024, 04:42:20 pm

Quote from: Andy Baird - April 14, 2024, 03:37:28 pm

I found an article that goes into some detail about what the flame colors mean in a gas stove:

Yellow Flame On Gas Stove - Meaning, Cause And Fix

Key point: a yellow flame means it's probably generating more carbon monoxide than normal. So until you get the problem fixed, it might be a good idea not to use that burner.

Hi Andy, thanks for the link and suggestion -- yes, once we saw those tall yellow flames we stopped using the burner (hence the longer coffee making time ;-).

But using that reference and others I found online, I was inspired to try further "cleaning" of the burner head; here's what I tried:

I took the burner off again, shook out everything (nothing more came out), and then decided to get physical with it (assuming it might be accumulated soot). So I gently, but forcefully, banged it against a tree knot that fit the curve of the burner top, and sure enough, a bunch more dust-like stuff seemed to be coming out. So I did that until I could see nothing more coming out. I tried blowing compressed air through the burner holes but my compressor is just for inflating tires, and likely was not strong enough to make a difference. I have not, as yet, soaked the burner as I thought that might do more harm than good (but I dunno).

I also carefully stuck fine wire into the orifice to see if I could detect any clog or restriction there (not likely since as I mentioned to Rich, the problem followed the burner when I tested it on a different valve). In any case, I did not feel anything, and the wire went in over an inch no problem.

So I put it back together, and (a) it fixed my piezo ignitor problem I've had on only that burner, and (b) the flame is now much more controlled, but still with distinct yellow tips. I will try using it to make coffee tomorrow and see how the pan looks afterward. It is a pretty good improvement from what we started with (see the After and Before pictures below).

So I'm definitely better off than I was when I started. But I'd love to get it to be fully blue flames only. I still welcome any additional suggestions on how better to clean the problematic burner, or if anyone knows if the newer (post 2003) burners will work on my older (2000) stove.

Thanks again everyone for chiming in!

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #13 – April 14, 2024, 05:47:21 pm

Noting that the center burner is supposed to be the higher output one, a problem with gas supply pressure might be more noticeable there. I would check pressure with a manometer at the burner mixer tube with the burner removed.

Steve

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #14 – April 14, 2024, 06:12:37 pm

I'd have to say the cleaned burner is burning pretty good in your picture. If you turn the gas at the knob down a little does it turn more blue? You know your problem is in the burner and I suspect it still has dirt accumulated. Usually you are dealing with too much gas and not enough air mixture. If the new burner fits and the BTU's are the same, I wouldn't be afraid to use it. Make sure all the holes in the burner are open. Maybe a little more cleaning if you want.

Jon

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #15 – April 14, 2024, 06:15:46 pm

Quote from: Steve - April 14, 2024, 05:47:21 pm

Noting that the center burner is supposed to be the higher output one, a problem with gas supply pressure might be more noticeable there. I would check pressure with a manometer at the burner mixer tube with the burner removed.

Steve

Thanks Steve, for that suggestion. I don't currently have a manometer, but if I did, where/how exactly would I be connecting it?

If you have an equivalent set-up, and can share a picture, it would be very helpful.

Alternatively, below is a picture of my stovetop burners. Perhaps you can point me to where that would be done (and how)?

If I remove the burner I am left with a very large opening (not sure how I would attach a manometer (having never used one; only read about others and envisioned small 3/16" ports, or something). Sorry for my newbie questions in this department.

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #16 – April 14, 2024, 06:21:10 pm

Quote from: JonS - April 14, 2024, 06:12:37 pm

I'd have to say the cleaned burner is burning pretty good in your picture. If you turn the gas at the knob down a little does it turn more blue? You know your problem is in the burner and I suspect it still has dirt accumulated. Usually you are dealing with too much gas and not enough air mixture. If the new burner fits and the BTU's are the same, I wouldn't be afraid to use it. Make sure all the holes in the burner are open. Maybe a little more cleaning if you want.

Jon

Hi Jon, yeah thanks, it is definitely an improvement. As for more cleaning, do you recommend soaking it in water? With any additives? Any other techniques for cleaning? The burner holes are all fully open as far as I can see.

And thanks for your input on a newer burner. I'm hoping someone with an older LD has maybe already gone that route and purchased one of the newer model burners, and can confirm they will fit and work with the remaining old burner (or do all need to be changed, or whatever?).

Tomorrow morning will be the coffee test and pan-bottom check. I'm looking forward to it!

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #17 – April 14, 2024, 07:27:38 pm

You can use a homemade manometer, or buy one. LarryW has some pictures in his albums:
Propane pressure testing | Flickr

There are youtube videos about how to build and use a homebuilt manometer on a RV stove :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyTx8VIE_kQ&t=33s&ab_channel=GuyPresse

If the problem switches location as the burners are moved around the stove, and all the other gas appliances work fine, I'm not sure the gas pressure would be my first guess, but it doesn't hurt to find out.

Rich

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #18 – April 14, 2024, 09:52:29 pm

I didn't really see a good place on the manifold to take a gas pressure reading. I'm not sure it's a gass pressure issue. Remove that center burner again and look at the air adjustment, if it's adjustable make sure it's adjusted about the same as the others. It'll be the part that slides over the office. You'll see the gap. Smaller opening yellow flame more air blue flame. Hopefully that makes a little sense.

Jon

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #19 – April 15, 2024, 02:45:36 am

Hi Carol; Yellow flame is usually sodium burning as in salted water. Try soaking it in water, a little detergent. (hot water is ok), nothing but crud to dissolve. Rinse in fresh water and let dry. Let me know how that does.
Also, there should be a movable sleeve somewhere to adjust the mixture, similar to the water heater. Near the orifice.
An article on IRV@ said that the stove top has it's own pressure regulator at 10" of water as opposed to the main regulator at 11.5" water. Another response said that the knob could be removed and that there was a screw in the center to adjust flow to just that burner.
Just a week ago I noticed a yellow flame on part of that rarely used center burner, just at one spot about 3/8". It was just some food. Cleaned and OK now. RonB

edit: I just saw the photo you posted. Those little collars at the valve, and the big holes in the feed tube going to the burner are the air mixing tubes. The propane coming out of the orifice at the valve suck in air to mix and enter the burner. The center burner is closest to the valve and being the highest power, it may be starving for air. Make sure the area around the orifice is pretty unobstructed.

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #20 – April 15, 2024, 10:58:14 am

Thanks Rich, Jon, and Ron,

Really appreciate all of the inputs. I did test the recently de-gunked center burner for my coffee water this morning and it did great. Wow, what a difference in heating over the smaller burners (I had forgotten), and no carbon on the pot after one use, so that's a good start.

Appreciate the input Jon on the metal part that can adjust over the opening. I had tried to move those in the past and they seemed permanently attached, but now I realize they must be just old and stuck (kinda like me ;-) I'll see if I can get them to move and if so, see how that affects the flame.

And Ron, appreciate your guidance on soaking the burner. With your encouragement, I will give that a shot, and see if it makes a further improvement. Hopefully it will improve the situation even more!

I want to thank everyone who has chimed in and am very grateful for the feedback, suggestions, and support. This is a wonderful community, and since we are relatively infrequent RVers, it's great to be able to get specific advice about our LD rigs.

Thanks again everyone! We're gonna mosey on to another campsite somewhere on the east edge of Texas.

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #21 – April 22, 2024, 09:16:01 am

Well here's the end of the cooktop tall yellow flame saga.

I decided to soak the burner after the previous clearing out of fine black particles. We chose to soak it in white vinegar + baking soda + water for about 45 minutes. Banged out anything else that might be trying to come out (didn't see anything). Dried it out completely.

Put it back together, and "we're cooking with gas" ;-) Below is a picture of the final flame. Looks like the other two, only more powerful. Piezo lighter is working again. Everything is back to normal.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and tips. Greatly appreciated! Love this community.

Re: Center oven cooktop burner with tall yellow flames, left+right proper blue flame

Reply #22 – April 22, 2024, 10:32:55 am

Thanks for the update! I'm glad that worked.

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