Open gas fire burning yellow?

Peartree

I've got a Valor open basket type gas fire in the old fireplace in my sitting room. I hadn't thought about it but a visitor pointed out that the flames were yellow and should be burning a bit more blue. I didn't put the fire in but believe it is about six or seven years old.

Is this a problem, does something need adjusting or do I need a professional to look at the fire? There is a proper carbon monoxide detector in this room - no problems there. The fire has INCREDIBLY sensitive 'cut out' settings and won't light if even so much as a speck of dust is on the ignition or the coals have moved slightly out of the instructed arrangement. I have now got the knack of keeping it happy on those fronts so don't have problems with lighting it. I clean the basket itself very regularly and replace the coals as per the diagram the previous owners left me.

I know the chimney is in desperate need of cleaning and has probably been neglected on my part due to the demands of a much bigger renovation project! I haven't had soot falls but do get soot dots on the hearth during very heavy rain. Could the chimney not 'drawing' properly be the cause? Getting the sweep in is now at the top of my 'Pre Xmas To Do List'.

Anyway, advice much welcome.

C_Mababejive

Buy the Sunday Times and put a broadsheet across the fire opening supported by a shovel,to make it draw a bit more.

SailorSam

I've got one of those with real coals, mines difficult to light sometimes, so maybe they're just rubbish.
I've found when mine with a yellow flame it just needs cleaning. the coals have soot on them so while its cold need to remove them all, clean with an old duster then carefully replace. As you say they need to go back so precisely

mandi

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Buy the Sunday Times and put a broadsheet across the fire opening supported by a shovel,to make it draw a bit more.

No dont, get the fire serviced Peartree

Peartree

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Buy the Sunday Times and put a broadsheet across the fire opening supported by a shovel,to make it draw a bit more.

Permanently?

Wouldn't it defeat the point of having an aesthetically pleasing (pretend gas) "open fire" in my sitting room?

Seriously, though, would you like to expand? Are you saying the problem is with the chimney and therefore the solution is getting the sweep?

PS "other broadsheet newspapers are available....."

ormus

yellow flame is a sure sign that it isnt burning correctly. make sure your CO alarm is working properly!
a service is required.

Peartree

SailorSam wrote: »

I've got one of those with real coals, mines difficult to light sometimes, so maybe they're just rubbish.
I've found when mine with a yellow flame it just needs cleaning. the coals have soot on them so while its cold need to remove them all, clean with an old duster then carefully replace. As you say they need to go back so precisely

I regularly take the coals out and clean the flipping thing. It is the only way it will keep lighting due to the safety trip outs! Personally, I stick all the coals in a bucket, then give the whole thing a good old vacuum. I do the coals with a stocking over the end of the vacuum. Then I get the diagram and reassemble the jigsaw! Still yellow! Lights 99.9% of the time though with just the occasional 'lie down flat on your face and blow on the pilot light to get the one speck of dust off moment'.

Peartree

ormus wrote: »

yellow flame is a sure sign that it isnt burning correctly. make sure your CO alarm is working properly!
a service is required.

Yes, the whole 'clearly not burning correctly thing' was why I posted.

I can assure you my CO alarm is working properly (v good one and batteries fine - am very hot (no pun intended) on this due to experiences in rented accommodation) and, to be frank, if it weren't and there was a problem with my fire after all this time, I doubt I'd be in a condition to make a post. I can see the detector, with the twinkly lights that say it is in perfect working order, as I type.

Not wishing to sound pithy when people are trying to make helpful comments but can we assume:

a) nothing is happening in fire that is triggering one of its many safety trip out features.
b) there is, nor has there been, an issue in the room re carbon monoxide.

So, rather hoping for gas engineer type poster to answer whether focus of action should be:

a) adjustment I can make myself to fairly modern Valor fire as v handy type person.
b) sweep.
c) gas engineer.

jay1976

I would say better to get it checked out by a gas safe engineer. there may be nothing wrong with it but there again, it could be pumping carbon monoxide into the house:eek:
is it worth the risk, it doesnt cost a great deal to get it checked. i have mine serviced every year just on the safe side.

hope you get this sorted

Peartree

jay1976 wrote: »

I would say better to get it checked out by a gas safe engineer. there may be nothing wrong with it but there again, it could be pumping carbon monoxide into the house:eek:
is it worth the risk, it doesnt cost a great deal to get it checked. i have mine serviced every year just on the safe side.

hope you get this sorted

Again, don't want to sound ungrateful but as previously stated, high quality, expensive, fully functioning, carbon monoxide detector operating not five feet from fire. One of several in the house.

I am hot on carbon monoxide (again no pun) due to issue in previous rented accommodation. I even keep a spare detector which I insist on lending to less paranoid friends when they move house.

bambibashercol

When was the last time you saw a log bonfire burning blue flames?
These fires are designed to burn with yellow looking flames.
With an opened flued gas fire i would always reccomend getting it serviced every year though.
The bottom of th flame should be burning blue then the rest of the flame yellow.
It sounds like you have an asd on the fire which would shut the fire down in case i vitated air.
As i said above get the fire serviced once a year and its good you have co detectors.