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off-the-grid · 17-11-2011, 10:08

I've been getting a black soot on the bottom of my pots and pans lately. If you see the attached photos, the flames have orange tips. If I remember correctly, that means there's probably a blockage somewhere, but where?

Is it really that likely that there would be one in both of the burners on the stove? Especially when I usually just use the one on the left? So where else could it be? It's not like the lines are ever disconnected at the fittings, to allow anything in, and I can't imagine something getting into that end that connects to the tank.

Could it be something else? Could it be a problem with the regulator for instance?

**Vasco** · 17-11-2011, 10:13

Remove the orifices, soak in alcohol, replace. Also clean the holes in the burners (I'd do this first).

**Cheechako** · 17-11-2011, 10:34

I get this from time to time in my home propane stove. Go figure. then it goes away. My guess is contaminated propane. Does water build up in propane tanks? Your flames look great compared with mine! The orange is an inch long on mine sometimes.

**Vasco** · 17-11-2011, 10:35

Caused by improper propane/air mix, usually obstructed holes in burner or dirty orifice.

**Cheechako** · 17-11-2011, 10:43

Yeah, brand new fancy SS stove with commercial grating top.... when it starts, does it on all 5 burners like mentioned above. Then gets better on it's own....

**Blue Stocking** · 17-11-2011, 10:44

Check the little vent screen on the bottom of the regulator. If not unrestricted, can impair the diaphram movement and richen the mixture. Orange is unburned gas, just like a candle.

**Cheechako** · 17-11-2011, 10:58

I'll do that... it is outside, fairly close to the ground... thanks!

**capngeo** · 17-11-2011, 11:01

Might also be jetted for a different gas like CNG

**zeehag** · 17-11-2011, 11:09

over time, the propane stoves need service a lil .... they do this..... the soot comes off with cleaning!! soap and water do mine fine---when it increases, i clean jets and burners.......so far, so good, soot happens--i get some from non stove sources also....

capn_billl · 17-11-2011, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasco

Caused by improper propane/air mix, usually obstructed holes in burner or dirty orifice.

Plus 1, also keep in mind if the flames are orange, they are giving off CO, (carbon Monoxide). I would make cleaning the orifice a priority.

**zeehag** · 17-11-2011, 11:34

all flames give off co--an also use the oxygen in boat to create co2 of the co so there is nothing left to breathe--must always have open hatch with cooking.

Hydra · 17-11-2011, 14:33

Sometimes, yellow flames and black soot are caused by a small leak in the metal pipes inside the stove, between the valve and the burner, resulting in insufficient pressure and incorrect air-gaz mix.

I have seen this on an Eno stove. It was cured by a change of piping.

Alain

off-the-grid · 17-11-2011, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Your flames look great compared with mine! The orange is an inch long on mine sometimes.

Bad iPhone photo. The orange is a little longer than it appears there.

stevensuf · 17-11-2011, 16:09

i had an eno stove do the exact same, the lower metal fitting was slightly bent interrupting the air flow causing very orange flames and lots of soot if its not seated right you will get the same problem.

capn_billl · 18-11-2011, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeehag

all flames give off co--an also use the oxygen in boat to create co2 of the co so there is nothing left to breathe--must always have open hatch with cooking.

Yes and no. A properly adjusted blue flame is an indication of complete combustion, and will give off very little CO, (a few parts per million), and mostly CO2 And H2O.

An improperly adjusted flame will give off many times the CO, (hundreds or thousands parts per million of CO), Carbon Monoxide | Indoor Air Quality | US EPA

Over 50ppm will cause poisoning symtoms, headache, etc... over 200ppm is dangerous.

Levels above normal can accumulate in a poorly vented area, and reach life threatening levels very quickly. Way before Oxygen levels drop. The soot on the pans is a first indication of incomplete combustion.