Bunsen burner: Parts and Their Functions

A Bunsen Burner is commonly used in laboratory Apparatus. it is named by the inventer Robert bunsen the basic function of a bunsen burner in the laboratory is heating, sterilization, and combustion. it produces a single open gas flame. there are 6 major parts of bunsen burner i.e, barrel, a collar, air holes, gas intake, gas valve, and stand.

A typical bunsen burner diagram is shown below:

Parts of Bunsen burner label diagram

In this article you’ll learn:

  • What are the parts of a Bunsen burner?
  • What is the function of a Bunsen burner?
  • How do you use a Bunsen burner?
  • What is the hottest part of a flame on a Bunsen burner?

Let’s Get Started…!

Parts of Bunsen Burner and Their Functions

the bunsen burner is one of the important parts of the lab equipment and is mostly used for heating different materials in the laboratory. A bunsen burner is set beneath a support stand that holds a glass test tube other liquid containing material for heating purposes using a mixture of gasses by a continuous flame. it has six major parts which are as follows:

  1. Barrel
  2. Collar
  3. Gas Flow Valve
  4. Gas Intake Tube
  5. Base
  6. Stand

Barrel (Parts of Bunsen Burner)

it is around 5 inches long tube. the main function of the barrel is that it contains air intake openings that mix air and gas together. it is a metal tube lies on the base of the burner. a smile size of holes (air intakes) is present on the barrel that opens at the bottom allowing air into the barrel.

when natural gas and air draw into the barrel bypassing the air intake opening, the gas and air mixture ignites through the top end of the barrel to make bunsen burner functional.

Collar (Parts of Bunsen Burner)

the major function of the collar is to control the amount of air entering the barrel. it is present around the air holes at the bottom end of the barrel. the collar works on the screw mechanism. A clockwise turn of collar increases the air intake amount while the anticlockwise rotation decreases.

Gas Spot

it controls or limits the supply of gas to the barrel.


typically, A base provides support to the bunsen burner. it is often present as six sides ( Hexagonal) shape. being supportable, it is a wide and heavy part of the bunsen burner.

Gas Valve

Gas Valve in bunsen burner is responsible for letting gas into the barrel through the collar. it is often attached to the base of the burner or screw. the gas flow valve and barrel both can be adjusted similarly as clockwise and anti-clockwise manners.

Air Holes

the air holes allow air to enter the bunsen burner for a mixture of air and gas or any other liquid fuel with air e.g, petroleum.

Rubber tubing

Rubber tubes are used to transfer the gas into a bunsen burner.

Gas Inlet

A gas inlet is a point where gas enters the burner. it helps to extend the gas flow valve. the major function of the gas inlet to control the leakage of gas through a gas pipe.

Functions of Bunsen Burner

in 1852, Robert Bunsen invents the bunsen burner first time. this device is often used in the scientific laboratory under the continuous stream of natural gas or liquified petroleum to heat different kinds of materials and liquids. it often set under the supportive stand which holds a beaker or test tube full of liquids.

connecting with a source of fuel, the first thing is done that air enters into the barrel on opening the air holes. if you close the air hole, a yellow wavy flame will appear called luminous of coolest flame.

the air reacts with the entering gas and produces a blue or non-luminous flame at the one-third ratio. the non-luminous flame is always preferred while using bunsen burner because it is a hottest flame and easiest to control over the luminous flame.

this flame also does not produces soot or smoke. using a bunsen burner is a firey work so one should always be careful and should adopt the laboratory safety rules and regulations to avoid any kind of hazards. in any case of any danger or accident, students should quickly be referred to as the first aid treatment.


bunsen burner produces two types of flames i.e. luminous flame and non-luminous flame. Luminous Flame is the coolest part of the flame while the non-luminous flame is the hottest part.

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