Gas Grill Part Terms & Definitions

Before you troubleshoot a problem with your grill, it helps to know the names of all the parts of the grill so you know what to fix. The following is a brief overview of most of the parts associated with typical, modern gas grills. If you ever have any questions about a problem, a part, or a repair, don’t hesitate to contact the ibuygrillparts.com friendly customer service staff!

Part Terms and Definitions:

Tank – This one is pretty obvious – it’s the propane tank. All new propane tanks have a new safety valve feature, and all old propane tanks are supposed to be retrofitted with this feature as well. In earlier model Gas Grills, the safety valve may affect the flow of propane to the grill, in which case you’ll need to turn down the flow from the tank to keep the grill going.

Fuel hose and regulator – Once again, the name describes what the part does. The regulator controls the flow of propane from the tank to the grill, sort of like how an engine governor on a car controls the max speed of a car. Just because a minivan can go 135 mph doesn’t mean that it should, and the same applies to propane from your tank. The regulator is attached to the fuel hose, and it is possible for that connection to become damaged or worn down over time

Control valves – It appears as though the designers of gas grills had simplicity in mind, as yet again, the part is named for its function. The make and model of your gas grill will dictate how many valves your grill has, but they all do the same thing – control how much propane will flow into the grill’s burner. If you ever remove the control valves for cleaning or inspection, be sure to put them back together and back on the grill the same way it was before you removed it – because if done improperly, you won’t be able to control the flow of propane to the grill – which is possibly very dangerous.

Venturi tubes – This is the part of the grill that doesn’t have a self-explanatory name. The venturi tubes link the control valves to the grill’s burners while simultaneously mixing the propane with oxygen to make a better flame for grilling. Because the tubes are open to allow for the entrance of oxygen, other things (such as dirt, grime, and insects) can enter the venturi tubes (especially if the grill isn’t used for long periods of time) and clog them. Proper grill storage or consistent usage will help ensure that doesn’t happen.

Burners – Back to the easy parts – the burner is just like the one on your stove, and provides the heat for your grill.