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.
Often small spills accumulate little by little over time and it may not be immediately clear to a
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.
Registration is now available for RCI’s 2024 Annual Convention & Industry Expo! Register now and join us in Buffalo, New York June 17-21, 2024! Save with early-bird rates available through April 26, 2024.
Crave more?Click here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebookfor even more sweet inspiration.
Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.
Print Page
Blog Home
All Blogs
RSS
