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A practical guide for safe lighting, flame control, heating, shutdown and laboratory fire safety.
A Bunsen burner is a common laboratory gas burner used in school science, chemistry lessons and laboratory demonstrations. It provides a controllable flame for heating substances, sterilising equipment and carrying out combustion experiments.
Correct use is essential. A Bunsen burner uses a naked flame, so poor setup, incorrect lighting, loose clothing, damaged hoses or careless heating can lead to burns, fires, gas leaks and broken glassware. This guide explains how to use a Bunsen burner safely and confidently.
This guide was written and reviewed by Better Equipped's technical team, drawing on experience supplying Bunsen burners, heatproof mats, tripods, gauzes, test tube holders, safety goggles and practical science equipment to schools, colleges and laboratories throughout the UK.
Knowing the main parts of a Bunsen burner makes it easier to set up the equipment, control the flame and troubleshoot common problems.
The vertical metal tube where gas and air mix before burning at the top of the burner.
Rotates to open or close the air hole. This controls how much oxygen mixes with the gas.
Controls the air supply. Closed for a yellow safety flame and open for a hotter blue heating flame.
The side connection where the rubber gas hose attaches to the burner.
Controls the gas supply. This may be on the bench, on the burner, or both depending on the model.
The heavy lower section that keeps the burner stable and helps prevent tipping during use.
These terms are useful when following school science practical instructions or comparing Bunsen burner equipment.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Safety Flame | A yellow, visible flame produced when the air hole is closed. Used when the burner is lit but not actively heating. |
| Blue Heating Flame | A hotter, cleaner flame produced when the air hole is open and more oxygen mixes with the gas. |
| Roaring Flame | A very hot blue flame with the air hole fully open. It may make a roaring sound and must be used with care. |
| Air Hole | The opening that allows air to enter the burner and mix with gas before combustion. |
| Collar | The rotating part that opens or closes the air hole. |
| Gas Inlet | The connection point for the gas hose. |
| Heatproof Mat | A protective mat placed under the burner to protect the bench from heat. |
| Tripod | A metal stand used to support apparatus above the flame. |
| Gauze | A wire mesh placed on a tripod to support beakers or flasks and spread heat more evenly. |
| Strike Back | A dangerous fault where the flame burns inside the barrel. The gas must be turned off immediately. |
The air hole controls how much oxygen enters the burner. This changes the colour, temperature and purpose of the flame.
| Flame Type | Air Hole Position | Use | Safety Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Safety Flame | Closed | Used when the burner is lit but not actively heating. | Cooler and easier to see, but can produce soot. |
| Blue Heating Flame | Partly open | Used for general heating. | Hotter and less visible than the yellow flame. |
| Roaring Blue Flame | Fully or mostly open | Used when very strong heating is required and permitted. | Very hot; only use when instructed. |
Bunsen burners can be used with test tubes, beakers, crucibles and other heat-resistant apparatus, but the setup must match the experiment and be supervised appropriately.
| Activity | Typical Equipment | Skills Practised |
|---|---|---|
| Heating water or solutions | Bunsen burner, tripod, gauze, beaker, heatproof mat | Heating technique, flame control and safe apparatus setup. |
| Heating test tubes | Bunsen burner, test tube, test tube holder, goggles | Safe handling, pointing tube away and controlled heating. |
| Flame tests | Bunsen burner, nichrome wire or splint, chemical samples | Observation, identification and safe use of the blue flame. |
| Sterilising equipment | Bunsen burner and suitable laboratory tools | Aseptic technique and safe flame handling. |
| Combustion experiments | Bunsen burner, tongs, crucible, heatproof mat | Observation of burning, oxidation and heat-resistant apparatus use. |
Using the correct accessories helps improve safety, heating control and practical lesson organisation.
Laboratory gas burners for school science heating, flame tests and chemistry practical work.
View Bunsen BurnersProtect benches from heat and provide a safer working area beneath burners and hot apparatus.
View Heatproof MatsAllow safer heating of test tubes while keeping hands away from the flame.
View HoldersEssential eye protection for practical work involving flames, chemicals, heat or splashes.
View Goggles| Mistake | Why It Matters | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting with the air hole open | Can create a less controlled flame or cause the burner to fail to light safely. | Always close the air hole before lighting. |
| Leaving the blue flame on while not heating | The blue flame is very hot and can be difficult to see. | Return to the yellow safety flame when not actively heating. |
| Leaving the burner unattended | Creates a serious fire and burn risk. | Never leave a lit burner unattended. |
| Using damaged gas tubing | May cause gas leaks or unsafe ignition. | Inspect hoses before use and report damage immediately. |
| Heating glassware too quickly | Can cause thermal shock, cracking or boiling over. | Heat gradually and use suitable heat-resistant glassware. |
| Reaching across a flame | Can burn clothing, skin or hair. | Keep hands, sleeves and equipment clear of the flame path. |
| Problem | Possible Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Burner will not light | Gas supply is off, ignition source is misplaced or burner is blocked. | Turn off the gas, check the setup and report faults if the burner still will not light. |
| Flame keeps going out | Gas flow is too low or there is a draught nearby. | Adjust gas carefully and move away from draughts if safe. |
| Yellow flame when heating is needed | Air hole is closed or not open enough. | Open the collar gradually to produce a blue flame. |
| Soot forms on equipment | Incomplete combustion due to insufficient air. | Open the air hole to produce a cleaner blue flame. |
| Noisy roaring flame | Too much air entering the burner. | Partially close the air hole until the flame is stable. |
| Flame burns inside the barrel | Strike back caused by excessive airflow, overheating or incorrect lighting. | Turn off the gas immediately and allow the burner to cool before reporting or relighting. |
| Smell of gas | Loose hose, leak, faulty tap or gas left on. | Turn off the gas immediately. Do not ignite flames. Report the issue at once. |
Stop, drop and roll. Use a fire blanket if available and alert the teacher, technician or supervisor immediately.
Turn off the gas supply if safe. Do not light flames or use ignition sources. Report the issue immediately.
Cool the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes and seek first aid.
Alert others, turn off the gas if safe and follow your laboratory’s fire procedure.
Do not touch it. Keep others away and allow it to cool before it is cleared using the correct procedure.
Turn off the gas, stop using the burner and report it so the equipment can be checked.
A Bunsen burner is used for heating substances, sterilising equipment, carrying out flame tests and supporting combustion experiments in school and laboratory science.
Closing the air hole helps produce a visible yellow safety flame, making the burner easier and safer to light.
The yellow flame is cooler and easier to see, so it is used as a safety flame. The blue flame is hotter and used for heating.
The hottest region is usually just above the tip of the inner blue cone in the blue heating flame.
No. A lit Bunsen burner should never be left unattended because it is a naked flame and can cause burns, fires or equipment damage.
Turn off the gas supply if safe, do not light any flames and report the issue immediately to a teacher, technician or supervisor.
Soot is usually caused by incomplete combustion when the air hole is closed or not open enough. Open the air hole gradually to produce a cleaner blue flame when heating.
Common equipment includes a heatproof mat, tripod, gauze, test tube holder, safety goggles, tongs, beakers, test tubes and suitable heat-resistant glassware.
Choosing the correct heating equipment helps improve practical science safety, lesson efficiency and experimental results. Better Equipped supplies Bunsen burners, heatproof mats, tripods, gauzes, safety goggles and laboratory heating accessories for schools, colleges and laboratories throughout the UK.
View Bunsen Burners View Bunsen Burner Buying Guide Contact Us for AdviceThis guide was written and reviewed by Better Equipped's technical team, drawing on experience supplying Bunsen burners, laboratory heating equipment, safety products and practical science resources to schools, colleges, universities and laboratories throughout the UK.
Our aim is to help users understand safe Bunsen burner technique, improve practical science confidence and reduce avoidable laboratory accidents.
Last reviewed and updated: June 2026
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