To fix the yellow or orange flame in your GE oven, thoroughly clean the burner. Residue or soot in the burner portholes often causes these discolored flames. Use a toothbrush, a small brush, a degreaser, or dish soap to clean the burner holes and ignitors meticulously.
I’ve had a GE oven for at least fifteen years, and it seldom burns yellow or orange flames. Whenever it does, cleaning the burner works thoroughly, most of the time. I’ve rarely had to change the orifice or call in a technician.
A normal GE oven flame should have a clean, soft blue color with defined half-inch (1.3 cm) inner cones. If your GE oven has yellow or orange flames, you might be dealing with a handful of issues that you or a professional need to fix.
Here are six likely reasons your GE oven has yellow or orange flames:
- Improper airflow to burners
- Dirt in the gas line
- The oven is configured for the wrong fuel
- It’s simply the glow bar igniter
- Dirty burners or burner ports
- Incorrect air-to-fuel ratio
This article explains these six possible causes of an orange or yellow GE oven flame and gives quick and easy troubleshooting tips for each.
Improper AirFlow to Burners
Oven burners need air and gas in the right amounts to burn. For this reason, they’re fitted with an air adjustment shutter to regulate airflow to the flame.
You know your oven has the right amount of air flowing into the burner if the flame is blue, steady, and half an inch (1.3 cm) long. Also, the flame should not extend beyond the baffle plate edges.
A yellow or orange flame means poor airflow to the burners. In this case, you should increase airflow by adjusting the shutter.
How To Adjust AirFlow to Oven Burners
To adjust airflow to oven burners and correct a yellow or orange flame, follow these steps:
- Locate the shutter at the rear wall behind the valve shield and broiler door.
- Remove the bottom cover, burner baffle, and valve shield to access the shutter.
- Loosen the Phillips head screw and turn the shutter to increase the air opening. The shutter should be fully open for liquid propane gas and 2/3 for natural gas.
- Retighten the Phillips screw and replace the valve shield, burner baffle, and bottom cover.
Note: A tiny yellow tip on the flames for ovens using liquid propane gas is regular. The natural gas flame should be a clear blue.
Dirt in the Gas Line
A yellow or orange flame on your oven burners may indicate the presence of foreign particles like dirt or dust in the gas line. This could be caused by soot from incomplete gas combustion, especially with poor airflow.
How To Eliminate Dirt in the Gas Line
Usually, dirt or dust in the gas line will be pushed out of the line by the gas flow. Your oven should then return to emitting a clean blue flame. Call for oven service if the yellow or orange color persists and you’ve checked the shutter to ensure it lets in the correct airflow.
The Oven Is Configured for the Wrong Fuel
GE gas ovens are created for natural gas connections. But they also come with a liquid propane (LP) conversion kit.
Your GE oven will have a yellow or orange flame if:
- The gas pressure regulator and burner orifices aren’t installed properly.
- The burners are connected to the wrong gas.
- The regulator and burners aren’t converted when the oven switches from natural gas to LP.
How To Fix Wrong Fuel Configuration on GE Oven
First, the GE Appliances manufacturer recommends that a qualified installer or service technician convert all oven installations, gas regulators, or burners. In addition, oven LP conversion should comply with the codes provided by the authority that has jurisdiction.
As per the codes, if you have a yellow or orange flame that suggests fuel conversion or configuration issues, contact your oven installer or the servicer to fix any related issues. If the original installer or servicer isn’t available, call another qualified GE oven technician to assess and service the oven.
It’s Simply the Glow Bar Igniters
GE oven bake and broil burners have glow-bar igniters that glow orange when the oven runs. As such, the orange flame in the range is the glow bar igniter that radiates an orange light.
What To Do With the Orange Glow Bar on GE Oven
You don’t need to do any troubleshooting. This is a regular oven operation that owners often mistake for a flame. However, if you suspect an abnormal glow bar operation, request professional service, as the issue could be beyond your capacity to fix.
Dirty Burners or Burner Ports
If you’re experiencing a yellow or orange flame in your GE oven, dirty burners and burner ports may be the culprit. Over time, food particles, grease, and debris can accumulate on the burners and ports, disrupting the gas and airflow and causing the flame to burn inefficiently. This not only affects the oven’s performance but can also create a safety hazard.
How to Fix Dirty Burners or Burner Ports
To fix dirty burners and burner ports, follow these steps:
- Turn off the oven and unplug it.
- Remove the grates and burner caps.
- Use a soft brush or cloth to gently scrub away any debris from the burners and ports. Be careful not to damage or clog the burner holes with cleaning materials.
- Soak the burners and caps in a warm, soapy water solution for 10-15 minutes if necessary. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely before reassembling.
- Check the ignition system and ensure the spark electrode and igniter are clean and functioning correctly.
- Test the oven to ensure the flame burns blue and evenly across all burners.
It’s recommended to clean the burners and ports at least once a year to prevent buildup and maintain optimal performance. Additionally, regular cleaning and maintenance can extend the life of your oven and reduce the risk of safety hazards.
Incorrect air-to-fuel Ratio
If your GE oven has a yellow or orange flame, it could be due to an incorrect air-to-fuel ratio. This means the oven does not get enough oxygen to mix with the gas, resulting in an inefficient flame that burns with a yellow or orange hue.
How to Fix Incorrect air-to-fuel Ratio
Fixing this issue requires adjusting the air-to-fuel ratio, which you can do by following these steps:
- Turn off the oven and disconnect it from the power source.
- Remove the burner and locate the air shutter adjustment screw. This is typically located near the base of the burner or on the gas valve.
- Use a screwdriver to turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise to increase the airflow or clockwise to decrease it.
- Turn on the oven and check the flame. If it’s still yellow or orange, adjust the screw again until the flame burns blue and evenly across all burners.
- Reassemble the burner and check the oven’s performance.
It’s important to note that adjusting the air-to-fuel ratio requires precision and caution, as too much air can cause the flame to burn too hot, and too little air can create a safety hazard. If you’re uncomfortable making these adjustments, seeking assistance from a certified technician is recommended.
Potential Risks of Yellow or Orange Flames in GE Ovens
Yellow or orange flames in your GE oven can pose several potential risks you must be aware of.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a severe health hazard from yellow or orange flames. This happens when incomplete combustion of gas produces carbon monoxide, a toxic gas that is colorless and odorless and can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even death. It’s essential to take immediate action if you notice yellow or orange flames in your oven.
Fire Hazards
Fire hazards are another significant risk from yellow or orange flames. Inefficient burning can cause flammable materials to ignite, potentially leading to a fire. The flames can also damage the oven’s internal components, such as the wiring and insulation, leading to further hazards.
Impact on Food Quality and Cooking Times
Yellow or orange flames can also impact food quality and cooking times. When the flame burns inefficiently, it can affect the heat distribution and temperature, leading to undercooked or overcooked food. Moreover, the food may also have an off-taste or smell due to the incomplete combustion of gas.
When to Call in a Professional
If you’ve tried all the methods above and nothing works, the next step is to call a GE technician to look at your unit as soon as possible.
Steve Rajeckas is an HVAC hobbyist with an avid interest in learning innovative ways to keep rooms, buildings, and everything else at the optimal temperature. When he’s not working on new posts for Temperature Master, he can be found reading books or exploring the outdoors.