When cooking confections in a kettle,
inevitably there will come a time when those sticky, goopy substances make
their way onto the burner. However delicious, these spills can cause your gas
stove to produce weak or uneven flames.
candy maker why their gas stove isn’t performing properly. According to Jacques De Waele at Savage Bros. Co., this is a common problem. The efficiency of your gas stove depends on keeping the burner jets clean. And while general maintenance and cleaning is covered in the manual provided with your gas stove, Jacques also pointed out that unfortunately manuals are often lost or misplaced when needed most. If you have misplaced your manual, consider asking your equipment supplier for a replacement copy.
Savage Bros. Co. recommends periodic
general cleaning to keep your gas stove in top operating condition. According
to their manual, lint and grease, normally suspending in the air, tend to
collect in air passages within the burners. For that reason, all air passages
and openings, burner ports, etc. should be periodically cleaned to prevent
clogging.
Dirt
and Lint Buildup
The color of the flame can be an indicator
that your gas stove needs cleaning. If the pilot flame on your gas stove burns
yellow, rather than blue, it may be an indication that dirt or lint has covered
the lower portion of the pilot burner. This can be removed with a soft brush or
by vacuuming.
If there is a wide variation in the color
of flame from the jets, this may also be an indication that the jets need
cleaning. For reference, natural gas flames should be a concentrated blue
color, but liquid propane will appear yellow in color.
Grease
and Food Spatters
To remove grease and food spatters that
have baked on the equipment, apply cleanser to a damp sponge or cloth and rub
the cleanser in the direction of the polishing lines on the metal. Rubbing
cleanser as gently as possible in the polished lines (not in a circular
motion) will not mar the finish of the stainless steel.
Burnt
Deposits
If the aforementioned method does not work
for burnt deposits, these can usually be removed by rubbing the surface with a
Scotch-Brite™ scouring pad or other stainless steel scouring pad. Savage Bros.
Co. advises against using ordinary steel wool to clean equipment.
Stubborn
Blockages
Savage Bros. Co.’s Beata Corson offered
the following tips for clearing out stubborn blockages. "Individual burner
jets can be unscrewed and removed from the burner for proper cleaning."
She suggests soaking jets in warm, soapy water (Dawn Dish Soap works well)
and removing obstructions with something narrow, like a paper clip or straight
pin. Make sure burner jets are dry before reattaching them to the burner. These
steps will ensure you don’t have to purchase replacement parts—although that is
an inexpensive option, if needed.
Cleaning the burner of a gas stove can
help ensure the long useful life of the equipment and performance of the stove.
Apply these tips to your regular cleaning routine to enjoy safe and efficient
use of your gas stove for many years to come.
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