The parts of a bunsen burner consist of a base, a barrel with air holes; a collar; a gas flow, or needle valve and a gas hose.
The rubber gas hose, is permanently attached to the bunsen burner's base, usually a heavy hexagonal or round shape about an inch thick and with upward slanting fittings to hold the other components. The hose extends inside the base to the needle, or gas flow, valve. The other end of the hose is corrugated and tapered, to ensure an air-tight connection to the gas supply, preventing gas leaks.
The needle valve, generally referred to as the gas flow valve, is used to adjust the flow of gas. This adjustment will determine the size of the flame. The more the valve is opened, the taller the flame will be. From this valve, the gas flows into the burner's barrel.
The barrel consists of a metal tube, which is screwed onto the base above the valve. The tube has holes in the bottom to allow the intake of air. As the gas flows upwards inside the barrel, air is drawn in through the holes. It is this mixture of gas and air that is ignited at the top of the barrel.
How much air is drawn in is regulated with the collar, located at the bottom of the barrel, sitting over the air holes. The air intake is adjusted by turning, or screwing, the collar anti-clockwise to open the holes and thereby increasing air intake; or by turning it clockwise in order to lower or close the air intake. The more air is taken in, the hotter the flame will be.
Often a heat mat is placed under the burner to protect work surfaces.
