A flame ionization detector contains a carefully metered pilot flame that incinerates the sample. The resulting ionized carbon passes through an electrical field, creating a proportional current flow. An electrometer measures the current flow. The resulting electrometer output is amplified and displayed as either: parts per million of a hydrocarbon (PPM); Milligrams of Carbon per Cubic Meter (mgC/m3); or PPM of Carbon by Volume (PPMCv).