Gas Grill Troubleshooting – A Guide to Fix the Issues
Gas grills can develop problems after extended use, just like any other mechanical equipment. However, a grill does not necessarily have to be old to be faulty.
A grill can show many different signs when it is not working well. When you see these signs, you don’t need to buy a new one right away. Rather, you should try out some troubleshooting tricks that could return the grill to perfect working order. In this article, we will break down the commonest gas grill problems you can encounter and the steps you can take to fix them.
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Safety First
Before you take any troubleshooting steps, you want to make sure that you’ve taken the required safety precaution. The most important precaution when dealing with gas grills is to turn off the tank valve and disconnect the grill from the fuel source.
Let the grill cool down completely if you’ve recently used it. Waiting a few minutes after turning off the grill helps the gas to fully dissipate.
A Guide to Troubleshooting Your Gas Grill
1. Low Flame from Burners
This is one of the most likely issues you’ll face with your gas grill. Let the grill cool down completely if you’ve recently used it.
Over time, the fuel line regulator can become sticky. When this happens, it limits gas flow. This reduces the flame intensity and affects the grill’s temperature.
Troubleshooting this problem is simple. All you need to do is release the pressure on the regulator:
- Ensure that you turn off the gas supply at the propane tank and disconnect the gas hose and regulator from the tank
- Open the lid of the grill
- Open all the control knobs to high and leave for 1 – 2 minutes to let all the gas in the manifold escape
- Turn all the control knobs off
- Reattach the gas hose and regulator to the tank
- Slowly turn the knob controlling the gas supply from the tank to allow the line to re-pressurize
- Ignite the grill
- It should burn and heat normally by now
2. Gas Grill Doesn’t Light
Modern gas grills feature push button igniters that light up the burner, so you don’t have to do it manually. When you discover that your gas grill doesn’t light, try to light it manually with a match or cigarette lighter. If it lights up, then you know the problem is with the ignition system rather than issues with the way the gas flows.
There are different types of ignition systems used in gas grills. The most popular are:
- Piezo
- Flame Thrower Valve
- Battery Powered
- Electrically Driven Ignition
If your gas grill has separate igniters for each burner and none work, the issue might be faulty wiring or a broken button. On the other hand, if you have independent igniters and one burner doesn’t light, then the problem is with that igniter.
To fix the igniter, remove the cooking grate. Then, take off the barrier to reach the igniter’s spark generator.
Push the ignition button and look out for small sparks and audible clicks. Clean the igniter if it is clogged. If it isn’t clogged, there could be faulty wiring or a faulty switch.
3. Orange/Yellow Flame
If you see yellow or orange flames in your gas grill, the fuel flow might be uneven. There may also be an unbalanced mix of air and gas. Here’s what you can do in a situation like this.
- Look for the venturi tube adjustment screw. Locate it at the end of the burner, by the metal shutter. The screw controls the opening and closing of the shutters.
- Ignite the grill and put the flame on a very low setting
- Adjust the screw till you get a blue or mostly blue flame
- As soon as you have a satisfactory blue flame, turn off the burner and tighten the adjustment screw.
Furthermore, the wrong type of gas may also cause a yellow or orange flame. For example, a grill designed for natural gas can give out yellow/orange flame when you try to use propane.
4. Uneven Heating
The most probable cause for uneven heating is a blocked burner or a damaged burner part. Burners come with holes through which gas is emitted to burning flames.
Over time, some of the holes can get clogged by drippings or other dirt. Just use a wire brush to clear any material clogging the burner. This will help distribute heat properly.
However, if that doesn’t get rid of all the dirt, you may have to remove the burner from the grill for a more thorough cleaning. Thankfully many grills have burners you can easily lift out, although some are bolted in place and harder to remove.
Take the burner off the grill. Clean it well with a stiff wire brush. Make sure to remove any dirt blocking the holes.
5. Flame From the Control Panel
The flame from behind the control panel is usually caused by a blockage or misalignment of the venturi tubes. After the grill has cooled down, inspect the connection and for any misaligned or loose parts. Check the tubes and hoses for cracks or burn-throughs.
Gas Grill Parts
Grilling usually happens outside, so most parts of a gas grill are made of stainless steel. This material helps protect the grill from the weather. Cast iron has its uses, but staying rust-free outdoors isn’t one of its strong suits. Depending on your make and model, these are the usual suspects making up your gas grill.
Tank
The propane tank holds the fuel the burns to produce heat in the grill. The tank is usually one of the strongest parts of your grill. It is very unlikely to have a damaged or faulty gas tank.
Fuel Hose and Regulator
The amount of fuel that comes from the tank to the grill is more than you need for grilling. The regulator regulates the flow of fuel into the grill and it is attached to the tank with a hose and an O-ring. Regulators have vent holes that could get clogged and lead to irregular fuel flow. Be sure to double-check the fuel hose and its connection, as these can be locations for gas leaks.
Control Valves
Control valves regulate fuel flow to the burner. Every burner on a gas grill will come with a control valve. When a control valve starts to malfunction, replacing the whole control valve is usually the best thing to do. Consult the user manual for obtaining proper replacement parts.
Venturi Tubes
Venturi tubes are an important part of a gas grill. They connect the burner to the control valve. They also mix fuel with air.
Because of the opening in the fuel line, foreign objects can easily get in and block the line. Also, it is common for venturi tubes to be misaligned with burners.
Burners
This is the part where the combustion takes place to produce heat in a gas grill. Burner ports can get clogged and corrode easily. A burner that’s overly corroded should be replaced. Nevertheless, a decent burner should remain functional for about three years at the very least.
Conclusion
You can’t write off malfunctions when it comes to gas grills. Just like any other mechanical equipment can develop faults at any point in time. Not everyone is handy enough or skilled enough to make extensive repairs on gas grills. However, most gas grill issues you would face will only need simple remedies you would be able to administer.
For expert help with mechanical repairs beyond your grill, check out Rolon’s mobile truck repair services. They make you’re always ready for any situation.
With the right troubleshooting trick, you’ll be able to get your gas grill working properly in no time. Hempen Hill BBQ has covered most of the issues you could face with your gas grills and tricks you can try out to fix the issues.