Method (100) for controlling the operation of a burner (2) in a combustion appliance (1), in particular in a gas boiler, the method (100) comprising: determining (S101) a temperature value of a burner deck (6); comparing (S102) the measured temperature value with a pre-determined reference temperature value, and initiating (S103) at least a control action on the operation of the combustion appliance (1) based on the comparison between the measured temperature value and the pre-determined reference temperature value, wherein the part of the burner (2).