1. The document provides instructions for setting up and using a Bunsen burner safely and effectively. Key parts that should be checked include the burner tubing, main gas valve, barrel, and needle valve. 2. To light the burner, turn on the gas and create a spark above the barrel. Adjust the flame using the barrel to control air and needle valve to control fuel, aiming for a silent blue flame. 3. A properly adjusted flame will be blue with the inner tip touching the item to be heated. Always turn off the gas when finished by closing the main valve completely.

2. Technique – Bunsen Burner Setup
Burner Tubing - should have
no cuts or deep cracks so that
gas would leak.
Main gas valve –
turns gas on or off
Barrel –
adjusts air
Needle valve –
adjusts fuel (gas)
and height of
flame

3. Technique – Bunsen Burner Setup
1. Examine the Bunsen
burner tubing for cuts and
deep cracks. 2. Attach the
burner tubing
securely to the
main gas valve.
3. Screw the barrel
and the needle-
valve all the way
in (closed), then
OPEN then
about 1 turn.

4. Technique – Lighting a Bunsen Burner
4. Turn the petcock (main gas valve handle) until it points
straight, toward the rubber hose, and then……
Closed Open

5. Technique – Lighting a Bunsen Burner
……. Hold a striker just above the barrel top, and
squeeze the striker handle to create a spark.

6. Technique – Adjusting a Bunsen Burner
5. Adjust the flame. With the barrel screwed all the way in,
the flame will be very “cool” and yellow. Adjust the flame
with the needle-valve (fuel) and barrel (air).
Yellow, “luminous”
flame
• Dirty
• Not very hot

7. Technique – Adjusting a Bunsen Burner
6. With the barrel screwed all the way in, the flame will be
very “cool” and yellow. To adjust the flame the needle-
valve (fuel) and barrel (air) will need to be adjusted.
 Unscrew the barrel (holding the base of the barrel) until
the flame is blue and all yellow is gone.
 Don’t add so much air that your hear a “roar.” Your
flame should be “silent” and blue.

8. Technique – Adjusting a Bunsen Burner
6. With the barrel screwed all the way in, the flame will be
very “cool” and yellow. To adjust the flame the needle-
valve (fuel) and barrel (air) will need to be adjusted.
 The height of the flame can be raised by opening the
needle valve (fuel).
 To most efficiently heat a sample, the tip of the inner
blue cone should be touching the object to be heated.

9. Perfect Flame - Silent, Blue (Non-luminous)
Outer cone –
not very hot
The tip of the inner
Not very hot blue cone should
be touching the
object to be heated.

10. Technique – Turning Off a Bunsen Burner
7. Turn the petcock (main gas valve handle) until it points
perpendicular to the burner tubing, all the way to the left
OR all the way to the right.
Open
CLOSED
Never leave a lit Bunsen Burner unattended.