Common Problems with Gas Grills

Stop! Don’t throw away that old gas grill just yet! Gas grills, like most any other mechanical device, are prone to having malfunctions from time to time. You might think that you need a new part, or even a new grill, but before you spend anymore money look at this list of common problems and see if you can troubleshoot the issue yourself. If you find any of these terms confusing, check out our grill terms and definitions page for Barbeque News and Tips. And remember, always troubleshoot the grill when it is cold and off!

Problem: The grill has a low flame and doesn’t get hot.
Cause: There are many reasons why this happens, so the best way to troubleshoot is by examining the grill from the flame to the tank to look for the culprit.
Solution: First, check for debris around the burner area. If the debris isn’t visible, turn the grill on and see if you can find any spots where there is no flame (or very low flame). If there are any, it’s probably because the burner is clogged – simply turn the grill off, let it cool down, then clean around the base of the burner and remove the debris.

If that doesn’t solve your problem, check other areas, such as the venturi tubes, for clogging.

If your grill still isn’t burning evenly, or at full strength, check all the tubes, valves and controls. Are they all the way open? Connected and aligned correctly? Functioning properly (ie – making full turns)? Try disconnecting your fuel tank and reconnecting it, as your fuel regulator might be slowing down the gas flow.

Problem: Flame not as hot as it should be. Your flame should burn blue, with yellow tips. If the flame is orange or yellow, it’s not as hot as it’s supposed to be.
Cause: This is usually the result of a same causes as the first problem outlined above. Check those solutions. If your flame still isn’t as hot as it should be, you’ll probably need to fiddle with the venturi shutters. Find the adjustment screw, which controls the tightness of the shutters. To ensure that you’re fixing the flame, you’ll have to turn the grill on low. Once you have a flame, simply turn the screw until your it becomes blue. This has now loosened the shutters. To prevent further problems, turn the grill off and tighten the screw again.

Problem: Grill lets off a lot of smoke.
Cause: Excessive grease/gunk in the grill.
Solution: Clean the grill really well then burn it on high to remove any excess debris.

Problem: Flame comes out from the bottom of the grill.
Cause: Venturi tubes are damaged.
Solution: Once the grill is cold, check the venturi tubes for any signs of cracks, melting, holes, or loose connections. If the tubes are damaged, replace them.