Carl's Grill Talk

Quick Check List!

Consult the owner’s manual and practice safety!  Many manuals are available online.  If you do not have experience with gas grills, get an owner’s manual or find someone with experience to help!

1. Little or no Gas to Grill -

·        Check LP tank for gas.  A normal LP tank weighs 19lbx empty.

·        Turn off all grill knobs and LP tank valves.

·        Open the LP tank valve and try lighting grill.

·        The newer QCC LP tanks have a safety device that shuts off if a grill valve is “open-on” before the tank valve is opened.

·        Pull grill grids and flame throwers.

·        Light gas grill burners one at a time until all are on the high flame position.

·        If the flame starts medium and then starts going down with each burner lit, you likely have a faulty LP hose regulator.  You can usually find a replacement locally.  Be sure to take the old hose with you.

·        Use a long stemmed lighter to see if burner is getting gas.  Keep your face away from the burner.  If you hear the gas but can’t get a flame, check the position of the burners.

·        Check your work before using the grill.

2. Smell Gas when all grill knobs are off and tank open -

·        Use soapy water to check all gas lines and connections in the gas grill.

·        Do not use the grill until you have corrected the leak.

·        Check your work and test before using the gas grill again.

3. One grill burner has too little flame on High while others are good on High -

·        Turn the gas grill and tank valve off.

·        Allow to cool.

·        With a Natural Gas type grill, turn off the gas line to grill.

·        Pull the low flame grill burner, clean and blow out.

·        Check for “burn-through” and blockage.

·        Remove orifice (jet) from the valve, clean out and check for blockage.

·        Reinstall correctly and test carefully before using or replacing burner.

·        RECHECK WORK AND TEST CAREFULLY before using the gas grill.

4. Flame coming from the valve area or where the grill burners mount over the valves -

·        Turn the grill off and allow to cool.

·        Pull the grids and heat plates, then the grill burner.

·        Clean and blow out.

·        Check for blockage and reinstall.

·        Be sure to mount correctly and test carefully before using the gas grill.

5. Hot Spots -

·        If you have grease collected from previous use, it is better to clean before using the grill. 

·        So, before using the gas grill, pull the grids, heat plates and then the burners ONE AT A TIME.

·        Clean, blowout and inspect as you may have “burn-through” causing the hot spots.

·        Replace the burner. 

·        Test carefully before using the grill again.

·        Burn off grease with the lid up before next use.

·        Don’t leave the grill when burning off.

6. Yellow flames-heavy soot -

·        Turn off the gas grill and allow to cool.

·        Pull the problem burner, clean and inspect.

·        Blocked burner can have yellow flame.

·        Check the air shutter.  It should be partially opened for LP gas and full opened for Natural Gas.

·        Reinstall correctly and test carefully before reusing.

7. Warranty issues with factory -

·        Gas grills less than one year old should be covered by warranty.

·        Find owner’s manual and contact customer service.

·        Many gas grill parts websites have a listing of factory sites and phone numbers.  My “FixIt" Manual” has such a listing.

·        Have your gas grill model number, serial number, date and place of purchase ready when you call.

8. Igniter problems -

·        Gas grill burners and ignition systems need to be cleaned and checked.

·        The ignition system is more complicated.  Replacing the igniter without checking the electrodes and burners probably won’t work.