Bertazzoni Rangetops CLOG-FLAME Error: Burner ports clogged
What Does CLOG-FLAME Mean? CLOG-FLAME describes abnormal flame behaviour caused by blocked ports in a Bertazzoni brass star-burner cap. The star-burner design — a defining feature across Professional, Master, and Heritage Series rangetops — uses precision-drilled ports in a heavy brass casting to produce the stable blue flame ring Bertazzoni is known for. When boil-over […]
Quick Assessment
Answer to continue safely
Is it safe to keep using?
No. Lifted or yellow flames indicate incomplete combustion and can produce carbon monoxide. Do not use the affected burner until the ports are cleaned and the flame is confirmed blue and stable.
Can I reset the code?
No. There is no electronic fault to reset — CLOG-FLAME is a physical blockage condition. The flame pattern returns to normal once the burner ports are cleaned and the caps correctly reinstalled.
When to stop immediately?
Stop if you notice: Persistent yellow or orange flame even after thorough port cleaning, Carbon monoxide alarm activates during burner use.
Symptoms You May Notice
Flame is yellow or orange rather than blue and burns unevenly around the star crown
A healthy Bertazzoni star burner produces a stable ring of small blue cones around the crown. Yellow or orange flames indicate incomplete combustion from blocked ports restricting gas flow through individual burner holes.
Flame shoots up or lifts away from the burner ports
When a significant number of ports are blocked, the gas exits through the remaining open ports at higher velocity than normal, causing the flame to lift off the cap surface and burn erratically.
Burner produces a roaring or rumbling sound during operation
Abnormal combustion noise — roaring, rumbling, or loud hissing — accompanies clogged burner ports as the gas-to-air mixing ratio is disrupted by the blocked flow paths.
Possible Causes
Food debris or grease blocking burner ports in the brass cap
Boil-over residue, carbonised food particles, or hardened grease have entered one or more of the precision-drilled ports in the brass star-burner cap, restricting gas flow and disrupting the flame pattern.
DIY PossibleNatural gas to LP conversion without secondary minimum flame adjustment
After converting the rangetop between natural gas and LP gas, the minimum flame adjustment screws on each burner valve must be reset. Without this adjustment, LP gas pressure can cause lifted or irregular flames that mimic a clogged burner.
Requires ProfessionalSafe Checks You Can Do
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1
Remove and clean the burner caps and crowns
Allow the rangetop to cool completely, then lift off the continuous cast-iron grates and remove each burner cap by lifting it straight up. Soak the brass caps in warm soapy water for 20 minutes, then use a soft brush or toothpick to clear any debris from the individual burner ports. Rinse and dry thoroughly before replacing.
Never use a wire brush or metal pick on the burner ports — the precision-drilled brass holes are easily deformed and an altered port size permanently affects flame quality.
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2
Confirm caps are correctly seated after reassembly
After drying, replace each burner cap and crown in its original position — caps are not interchangeable between burner sizes. Confirm the cap is fully seated flat with no rocking before lighting. A misaligned cap produces the same irregular flame symptoms as a clogged one.
On Bertazzoni rangetops the dual-ring power burner has a separate inner and outer cap — both must be correctly seated and concentric before lighting.
When to Call a Professional
Contact a qualified technician if:
- Flame remains abnormal after cleaning and correct cap reinstallation
- Rangetop was recently converted between natural gas and LP without professional commissioning
- One burner has a permanent low-flow condition suggesting an internal valve fault
Need Professional Help?
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