What might indicate incomplete combustion in a burner?

Incomplete combustion in a burner is often indicated by flames with yellow tips. This occurs when not enough oxygen is mixing with the fuel, leading to insufficient combustion of the gas. As a result, carbon particles (soot) may not be fully oxidized, causing the flame to exhibit characteristics such as a yellow or orange hue instead of the desired blue color associated with complete combustion.

In complete combustion, the flame generally has a steady blue color, indicating that the gas is burning efficiently with minimal waste and a proper air-to-fuel ratio. Bright blue flames suggest complete combustion, while rapid flickering flames may indicate instability in the gas flow but not necessarily incomplete combustion. Stable, constant flames are typically associated with a well-functioning burner, indicative of a good air-gas mix. However, yellow tips specifically point to the necessity for increased oxygen for optimal burning and are a clear sign of incomplete combustion.