How to Adjust the Blue Flame on a Top Hat Heater

Turn off the top hat propane heater and turn off the propane tank. Wait five minutes to allow excess propane to dissipate before cleaning the burner and pilot tube.

Remove the screws securing the top hat to the emitter at the top of the heater with a Phillips screwdriver. Lift the top hat off the heater. Remove any screws or nuts securing the emitter and emitter cap with a screwdriver or wrench. Lift off the emitter and emitter cap.

Insert a toothpick into the pilot tube. Push and pull the toothpick in and out of the tube to break up any carbon buildup. The pilot tube is the small tube below the main burner.

Sand over the burner holes with a small piece of emery cloth. Look for any blocked holes in the burner. Insert a toothpick into the holes to break up the carbon buildup.

Spray compressed air into all the burner's and pilot tube's holes. This helps clear out any carbon buildup or other debris. Reinstall the emitter, emitter cap and top hat.

Turn the propane tank handle counterclockwise until it stops, to supply fuel to the top hat heater. Turn the gas control knob on the heater to the “Pilot” position. Strike a long fireplace match and place the flame at the top of the pilot tube while pushing in on the control knob. If your unit uses an electronic ignition, push the ignition button while holding the control knob inward until the pilot ignites.

Hold the control knob inward for 30 seconds. Depending on the manufacturer, turn the control knob to “High” or “On” once the pilot stays lit for 30 seconds.

Move the fuel supply control knob left or right to adjust the burner flame. Watch the flame as you turn the knob slowly. The flame should be an electric blue with only a small amount of orange. Rotating the knob left lowers the flame and turning the knob right increases the flame's height.