Bunsenbrenner

Bunsenbrenner, or Bunsen burner, is a small, adjustable gas flame used in laboratories for heating, combustion, and sterilization. It was developed in the 1850s by German chemist Robert Bunsen and manufactured by Peter Desaga; its design and use were popularized through Bunsen’s collaboration with Gustav Kirchhoff in the development of flame spectroscopy. The device provided a reliable, controllable flame that made heating and qualitative analysis more consistent in chemistry labs.

A typical Bunsen burner consists of a gas inlet, a vertical metal tube, and a base with an adjustable collar near the bottom that controls air intake. By turning the gas valve and adjusting the air supply, users mix gas with air to produce either a luminous, sooty flame or a hotter, non-luminous blue flame. The blue flame is generally preferred for experiments because it burns hotter and cleaner, reducing soot and contaminant deposition. The flame is used to heat liquids in beakers or flasks, sterilize tools, and support various laboratory procedures.

In modern practice, Bunsen burners remain common in teaching laboratories and in fieldwork where electricity is unavailable or inconvenient. They have been largely supplemented in many laboratories by electric heating blocks and hot plates, which offer closed systems and enhanced safety. Safety considerations include keeping flammable materials away, securing the burner on a stable surface, using appropriate ventilation, and ensuring a proper shutoff when not in use.

Notes: Bunsenbrenner is the German term for the device, commonly referred to as the Bunsen burner in English.