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Breaking out your gas grill for the first time this season? Don't be surprised if you discover it's not operating at full capacity.
Your grill can develop problems that go unchecked during a dormant winter. Some troubleshooting may be in order before you fire it up.
SAFETY ALERT: Make sure to shut off the tank valve and disconnect the hose before making any repairs to your gas grill. Keep your face at a safe distance while making repairs. Propane is highly flammable; if you're not comfortable making your own repairs, call a service professional.
Problem #1: The flame is yellow.
Solution: Your
regulator (the round thing on the gas hose) is probably stuck, and it's not allowing enough gas to pass through the hose.
1. Turn off the gas at the tank.
2. Disconnect the hose.
3. Remove the grill's lid.
4. Turn the burner valves to their highest setting for a minute or two.
5. Turn the valves OFF.
6. Reconnect the hose.
7. Turn the gas back on
very slowly.
8. Light the grill as usual.
Problem #2: The grill won't light at all.
Solution: Try unsticking the regulator (see above). If this doesn't work, and your grill is battery-powered, try replacing the battery. If the grill still won't light,
the igniter may be clogged. Here's how to
clean the ignition system:
1. Remove the cooking grates and any other barriers until you have access to the igniter.
2. Push the ignition button and see whether there's a spark in the igniter.
3. If there is a spark, blockage from grease, dirt, rust, and other elements is probably the culprit.
4. Turn off the gas at the tank and disconnect the hose.
5. Locate the grill's ignition and clean its parts thoroughly. Clean the burners also just to be sure.
6. Replace the hose and turn the gas tank back on.
7. Replace the barriers and grates, and press the ignition button again.
If this solution doesn't work, you may have a case of faulty wiring. In this case, you'll want to get the grill professionally serviced.
Problem #3: The grill won't get hot enough.
Solution: Modern propane tanks are fitted with
overfill prevention devices for safety purposes. This check valve is designed to measure the gas pressure and identify propane leaks, at which point it restricts gas flow.
Here's how to test a gas grill for leaks.
Sometimes -- especially when a brand new propane tank is installed -- the valve may falsely detect a leak and the tank will go into check. If this is the case, the
check valve just needs to be reset.
1. Turn off the gas at the tank and disconnect the hose.
2. Disconnect the propane tank from the regulator (the round object on the hose).
3. Turn the grill on -- while the tank is still NOT attached -- for a few minutes to release pressure in the gas lines.
4. Turn the grill off. Make sure all burners are OFF before proceeding to the next step.
5. Reconnect the propane tank and the hose.
6. Turn the tank back on
very slowly.
The grill should operate normally.
If none of these solutions work, call the grill's manufacturer or have the grill professionally serviced.
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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
Three comments and all are promos for some website. Go away people. That is not why comment boards were created. GO AWAY
ReplyI agree, so I reported them don't know if it will work.
Those annoying ads come from "bots".
They're auto-responses to almost every blog or message board. You can't respond to them, or report them, or tell them to get lost.
It's like talking to a wall.
You're misinformed. Man has been grilling meat since the discovery of fire. Grilling does NOT cause cancer and is a health, natural way to cook meats.
ReplyI like to eat meat. What other options do you recommend Tracy?
ReplyTracey.....you're an idiot.
ReplyTracy, it is a known fact that you lack the brains the good lord blessed a gerbil with. There, I said "it's a known fact" so according to your logic it's officially true.
ReplyMeat is Murder!
Tasty tasty murder, Love Live Weber BBQ`s
You don't have to worry about this if you used charcoal cooking with a gas grill is not really grilling it's cooking with an oven outside.
ReplyI agree. I always use charcoal, never gas.
If your gas line is exposed to direct sunlight and or high heat when covered or not, try this to protect it from the elements.
ReplyDetermine the approximate length of exposed hose. Cut the same length of an old garden hose without male or female ends. Split the hose lengthwise end to end and place over exposed gas line hose.
This will take the punishment from ultraviolet light and heat without damaging the underling delicate rubber coated mesh gas line.
I have done this ever since I had one sun-rot and leak. I live in a southwest desert.
Sunburn, great idea, thanks.