Off-brand fuel left varnish-like residue on stove orifices?

TrailMixTony

I expected the usual quick rinse and a few passes with a brush to handle any buildup on my stove, but running it on that off-brand fuel left the orifices coated in a sticky film that just wouldn’t budge. The flame started pulsing unevenly after two trips, and even a full disassembly plus soaking in solvent only got me halfway back to normal. The residue looks different too, more like a varnish than the light soot I’m used to.

headlamphero

That varnish layer instead of soot lines up with what happens when the fuel has extra stabilizers or impurities. I’d hit the orifices with a fine wire or needle under bright light before anything else to see how deep it’s actually set in.

wanderwoman

That varnish from sketchy fuel is the worst, a needle works but follow it with a gentle compressed air blast to clear anything the wire loosens.