A gas sensor includes a sensor housing and a sensing element located within the sensor housing. The sensing element defines an axis. The sensing element has a distal end extending from the sensor housing. The gas sensor further includes a sensor protection element coupled to the sensor housing and at least partially surrounding the distal end of the sensing element. The sensor protection element includes a tube having a conical portion, and a gas inlet located on the tube, the gas inlet spaced from the axis. The gas inlet is shaped to direct gas into the tube to induce a vortex gas flow within the conical portion of the tube.