Symptoms
- Flame moves or dances more than normal
- May worsen near an open window, fan, or vent
- Flame color still looks mostly normal
- Cooking still generally works, just looks unstable
Likely causes
- CommonDraft from a window, fan, or hoodAir movement across an open flame naturally causes flickering.
- PossiblePartial clog in the burner reducing steady flowAn uneven gas flow from a partial blockage can cause flickering rather than a fully weak flame.
- PossibleLow household gas pressureA general pressure dip can cause instability across the flame.
- Less commonPot or pan too close to the flame edgeCertain cookware shapes can disrupt airflow around the flame.
What to do
- Note whether flickering happens more with the range hood fan on high, a window open, or a door being opened and closed nearby.
- If it's draft-related, try reducing airflow near the range during use, like lowering the fan speed slightly.
- Clean the burner cap and ports as a routine check, since a partial clog can also cause flickering.
- Check whether it happens across all burners or just one; one flickering burner points more to a clog than to a draft.
- Try a different pot or pan shape to see if flickering changes, which can rule out cookware interference.
- If flickering persists with no draft and after cleaning, consider having gas pressure checked by a technician.
Tools and parts
- Soft brush
When to call a pro
If flickering continues without an obvious draft and after cleaning, a technician can check gas pressure and the burner valve.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.