Why Many Vietnamese Families Still Prefer Gas Stoves — and How to Fix Weak, Uneven Flames Easily

Alongside electric stoves, gas stoves remain a popular choice in many Vietnamese households. With their affordable cost, fast cooking time, and simple operation, gas stoves continue to be a reliable kitchen companion for countless home cooks.

When newly purchased, a gas stove usually works smoothly and produces a strong, even blue flame. However, after a period of regular use, grease, food residue, soup spills, and dust gradually clog the tiny burner holes. This buildup restricts gas flow, causing the flame to weaken, turn yellow, burn unevenly, and take longer to cook food. As a result, the stove consumes more gas while delivering poorer cooking performance.

Fortunately, fixing this common problem doesn’t require expensive tools or professional repairs. All you need is a simple toothpick to “treat” your gas stove and restore its efficiency.

How a Dirty Gas Burner Affects Cooking Performance

A clogged gas burner is the main reason flames become uneven and unstable, directly affecting food quality. Yellow flames indicate incomplete combustion, which not only wastes gas but may also produce harmful fumes. Over time, this can increase gas bills and shorten the lifespan of your stove.

Regular cleaning is essential to maintain both safety and cooking efficiency.

How to Use a Toothpick to Fix an Uneven Gas Flame

Step 1: Turn off and cool down the stove
Before cleaning, make sure the gas stove is completely turned off and fully cooled to avoid burns or accidents.

Step 2: Inspect the burner holes
Remove the burner cap and carefully examine each small hole. Use a toothpick to gently poke through and remove grease, carbon residue, and trapped debris. You’ll notice the holes clearing almost immediately.

Step 3: Deep-clean the burner cap
After unclogging stubborn grease, soak the burner cap in warm water mixed with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Scrub thoroughly until it looks clean and shiny, then rinse off the soap.

Step 4: Dry thoroughly
Stand the burner caps upright to air-dry or wipe them carefully with a dry cloth. For best results, use a hair dryer on cool mode to remove any remaining moisture or fine ash trapped inside the holes.

Step 5: Reassemble and test
Place the burner back onto the stove and ignite it. You should see a strong, steady blue flame that heats faster and uses less gas.

If you repeat this cleaning process once a month, you can significantly reduce gas consumption, lower your utility bills, and extend the life of your gas stove.

Important Safety Tips When Using a Gas Stove

To ensure safe and efficient use of a gas stove, keep the following precautions in mind:

Choose a Quality Gas Stove from the Start

Before purchasing a gas stove, carefully inspect the burner design. Different burners offer different heat efficiencies. Brass burners are generally the most durable and efficient, making them a safer long-term investment.

Additionally, look for safety features such as flame control, automatic gas shut-off valves, and sturdy pan supports. These features greatly enhance safety and ease of use in everyday cooking.

Clean Your Gas Stove Regularly

Thorough monthly cleaning using a toothpick or a fine needle prevents dirt from becoming ignition hazards. Installing a heat-resistant panel behind the stove is also recommended, as wooden cabinets, wallpaper, and plastic panels are flammable materials.

Make sure to keep at least a two-finger distance between the stove and surrounding surfaces. This small gap can prevent strong flames from damaging kitchen furniture.

After cleaning, soaking the burner caps in warm soapy water and drying them completely before reassembly will significantly extend their lifespan.

Never Leave the Stove Unattended While Cooking

Avoid leaving the kitchen while cooking, or set a timer as a reminder. If soup or liquid boils over, turn off the flame immediately to prevent gas leaks or flame extinction, which can be extremely dangerous.

If you smell gas at any time, immediately shut off the main gas valve, open all windows for ventilation, and avoid creating sparks.

Call a Professional Immediately in Case of Gas Leaks

If you detect a strong rotten-egg smell or hear a gas alarm, close the main gas valve right away and open windows to ventilate the area. Do not touch light switches or mobile phones inside the kitchen.

Move to a safe area such as a hallway, then use your phone to contact building management or the gas company. Always wait for trained technicians to inspect and repair the system—never attempt to fix gas-related issues yourself.