Why Is a Propane Gas Flame Blue?

A blue flame means complete combustion of the gas. With complete combustion, LPG (Propane) burns with a blue flame. Pure hydrocarbons like methane (refined natural gas), propane, butane and ethane gases also burn with a blue flame. These gases are all alkanes and are gas that burns with a blue flame.

When propane gas burns with the correct ratio of fuel to air, there is enough oxygen for complete combustion of propane. The gas molecules in the flame are ionized and the propane flame is blue—as it should be. The blue flame means that your propane is burning at its full heat, so you aren’t wasting any fuel.

What Do Orange or Yellow Flames Mean?

When a flame is orange or yellow,  it indicates that the gas is not burning efficiently.Improper combustion can result in propane wastage, ultimately increasing your energy expenses. In complete combustion with a blue flame, the temperature of a propane flame is 3,596˚ Fahrenheit. With a yellow or orange flame, the flame’s temperature is 1,832˚ Fahrenheit. Flames that have a yellow or orange hue can indicate a potential danger, signaling an inadequate supply of oxygen. This situation can result in the buildup of carbon monoxide within your home, posing health risks to those living there.