I have a couple of open style gas fires - one is fine, the other one builds up black carbon deposits quite quickly on the centre of the three ceramic panels. These deposits end up quite thick and have to be brushed off. What's going wrong and how to correct it? Thanks Andy Evans
Carbon deposits on gas fire panels - what's problem??
Mar 07, 2006
10 Replies
The message from "Eusebius" contains these words:
Insufficent air for the amount of gas being burnt at that spot. I'd suggest the air grille underneath is fluffed up. It's unlikely to be too much gas unless the nipple's dropped out.
Similarly, I've had the same thing - most of the fire is okay - but towards the back in the 2 corners I've got black pots on the concrete or whatever panels.
What's the best way of removing these marks?
I'll try taking all the 'coals' out and cleaning it to see if that improves the cause.
Thanks
DThe message from David Hearn contains these words:
An oxidising flame. That'll get it hot enough to burn off the carbon /and/ provide sufficient oxygen.
It's unlikely to be too much gas unless the nipple's dropped out. >
Thanks - If the nipple's dropped out will I find it on the floor underneath or do I have to get another - if so where? what does a nipple look like - is this the technical word to ask for? Andy
The message from "Eusebius" contains these words:
It's the tiny jet through which the gas emerges. The combination of the size of hole in the jet and the pressure behind it are what determine how much gas comes out. If there's too much then that would cause the problems you're seeing. It's unlikely - they don't often just "drop out". It'll be a small metal threaded cylinder with a tiny hole through the middle. Rather like a radiator's bleed nipple in size.
Are you saying that something like a blow torch would get it off - or to sort out the problem causing the soot (provide sufficient oxygen) and it'll burn the carbon off?
D
Incomplete/incorrect combustion resulting in a yellow flame leaving these deposits. There is a chance that CO is spilling into the room too. Don't use it until you've had it checked. As others have said, this may be being caused by insufficient air or possibly a blocked chimney/flue. What is the KW output of the fire (it should say on the data plate on the fire under the cover)?
Angus
The message from David Hearn contains these words:
Generally. You'll need to play the inner pale-blue cone of flame over the carbon - that's the bit that still has an excess of oxygen. Experiment - you'll get there in the end.
But also, fix the cause - incomplete combustion, which is what's caused this deposit can be fatal as it usually accompanies carbon monoxide production.
Insufficent air for the amount of gas being burnt at that spot. I'd suggest the air grille underneath is fluffed up.>
that was indeed the problem - I used a vacuum cleaner and also a dental brush to clean out the holes in the grille. dust must have got through and collected. you could see the holes which were blocked and causing yellow flames. Thanks
The message from "Eusebius" contains these words:
Well, I was bound to get one right /eventually/. But of course - I'm not qualified or registered so you'll have to put the fluff back and call a CORGI bloke.
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