If you’re annoyed, this article is for you because your gas grill won’t remain lit. Your gas grill may not stay lit for single or multiple reasons, and we’re here to break it down to you. Working on a gas grill isn’t difficult, but you should observe caution.
Table of Contents
Parts and functions of a gas grill
The gas comes from either a gas tank or a gas pipe. The gas travels through a regulator which limits the gas pressure, a manifold that divides the gas between the burners, and finally, the control valves, where the flow rate is adjusted to control the temperature.
It then flows into the venturi tubes, mixed with oxygen before being burned. The visible flame is created by injecting fuel into the burners and exiting through the burner ports. Above the burners is some sort of barrier that shields the burners while also assisting with heat distribution. The barrier collects drippings from foods, which are then burnt away by the grill’s heat.
Safety is the priority before troubleshooting.
Before you start working on your grill, ensure that you’ve switched off the tank valve and unplugged it from the gasoline source. If you’ve used your grill, ensure it’s completely cool before using it again. Allow five minutes for the gas to disperse before troubleshooting if the grill was on.
Why doesn’t your gas grill stay lit?
We’ll look at the reasons why your gas grill won’t stay lighted. First and foremost, you should always check to see if your tank is running low on gas. Perhaps the gas ran out while you were preparing your meal. You can check the gas reader available on some tanks or the tank’s weight. Gas tanks that have been emptied are lighter.
Check to see if your grill’s burners are unclean. Typically, grease or other undesired material builds up on the burners, acting as a barrier and resulting in a poor gas stream. All you have to do now is clean your grill from top to bottom, including the burners.
Now you can see if your gas grill is working properly. Check that all of the control valves are open as well. Turning each valve on your grill will produce a dense, uniform flame. If you discover that a valve has to be changed, switch off all of the burners first. Close all of the valves before reopening them.
Gas grills are only used outside. The problem of a gas grill not lighting up is particularly common with older grills. We even neglect to maintain our grills due to other everyday responsibilities. As a result, our grills become subject to the elements. As a result, you must inspect one of the gas lines for any obstruction. Inspect the gas tubing using a flashlight.
If you’ve tried all of the above alternatives and your gas grill is still not lighting up, there could be a problem with the gas regulators. If you have a used grill, the previous owner may not have properly installed the grill pieces. You can also change parts by searching for your grill’s brand and model on Google.
Before working on your gas grill, please disconnect your tank.
Troubleshooting
Examine the gas
Although it’s likely the first thing you did, I must be thorough. If your grill has a gas gauge, check it and then lift the tank to ensure that the gauge isn’t broken. If the tank doesn’t have a gauge, raise it. Empty tanks weigh about 16 pounds. The weight of a full tank is roughly 37 pounds.
If your tank is full of gas, proceed to the following step. If it doesn’t, well, you’re on your own.
If you have gas, ensure sure the tank is full. Maybe you forgot about it the last time you closed it. To fully open the tank, turn the tank valve counterclockwise until it stops. It could be a problem with the gas flow or the ignition if your burners still don’t light. Start with the simplest aspect: gas flow.
Examine for gas flow
You can manually light your burners to see if they’re getting gas. To do so, take a long match or lighter and place it near your burner while the gas is turned on. Please make sure you open the lid before turning on the gas!
If your burners light up, the problem is most likely with the ignition switch or wiring. You either have a clog or a problem with your regulator or gas line if the burners won’t light.
You most likely have a clog on the unlit burner if your ignition switch works, but none of your burners ignite. It could also be the igniter for that burner if you have a separate ignition system. In any case, keep reading to learn how to check.
Examine the ignition
In general, there are two sorts of igniters. The first is battery-powered, and you’ll hear a sequence of clicks when you press the ignition button. Replace the battery first if you have a battery-powered ignition system.
A piezo-electric system, on the other hand, produces only a single click. If none of your piezo-electric burners are lighting, you most likely have a button or wire problem. Unfortunately, it usually necessitates the replacement of the button or wire, which might be difficult.
If with either system, some of your burners do not light, you most likely have a clogged burner or a malfunctioning igniter at the burner.
Identify a clogged burner or a faulty igniter.
Before working on your grill, switch off the gas and disconnect it from the regulator. The cooking grates, burner plates, and flavor bars should all be removed next. You can troubleshoot the problem after you can visually inspect your burners.
Defective ignitor
All your burners will have igniters next to them if you have an independent ignition system.
The igniters should spark when you turn the knobs to the correct setting or push the ignition button. If one or more of your igniters are not producing a blue spark, they are most likely defective.
If you think debris is causing the problem, clean around the igniter carefully and try again. If cleaning it doesn’t work, you’ll likely need to replace it.
Some grills use a single igniter to light a pilot burner, which then lights the rest of the burners. Using the method described above, you may inspect a single igniter. Check for clogs, if the igniter is working properly or if the pilot burner lights but none of the others do.
Clogged burner
You’ll need to remove the grill rack, flavor bars, and burner plates to visually inspect the burner if you feel it’s clogged. Before working on your grill, remember to switch off the gas and remove the tank.
Food, grease, or other material will obstruct the gas flow from reaching the igniter in a blocked burner. With a wire or brush, carefully clean out the clogged burner. If you see damage to a burner that won’t light, the best thing to do is replace it according to your owner’s manual’s directions.
Common gas grill problems and fixes
First and foremost, you must evaluate the burner’s flame. Make sure the flame is strong and constant down the burner. Close to the burner, the flame must be blue, while the top of the flame should be orange or yellow.
If you don’t see a flame that matches these criteria, ensure your gas tank isn’t empty and all the gas valves are open. You only need to spend two to three minutes on the examination to achieve a strong and constant flame.
Make sure the burners are clean as well. Burners, as we all know, become clogged with time. All you have to do now is wait while the burners burn hot for 15 to 20 minutes. This high-intensity heat-flame burn will clear out any obstructions in the burner, restoring a strong, consistent flame.
Even the gas regulator could blame your gas grill’s inability to stay lighted. All you have to do is use a simple and quick solution. While attempting to ignite, give a couple of light taps on the gas regulator. You can also check to see if the gas regulator has a major problem.
Remove the gas gauge to see if it functions. Also, see if there are any ads on the gas gauge that are restricting the gas flow. If the gas gauge is in good working order, the ignitors should be checked next. Replace the batteries in your ignitor if it is battery driven and see if it works. You should also check for any obstructions. All you have to do now is remove the grates and inspect the ignition.
Before working on your grill, be sure the gas connections are turned off. If you don’t feel comfortable working on your grill or can’t figure out what’s wrong, you should always contact local grill maintenance professional or a shop. These professionals will restore your gas grill to its former glory.
Repairs and parts for gas grills
Most parts for any grill built in the last 10 to 20 years may be bought online, albeit they can be quite costly. Before you start any home improvement project, ask yourself, “Does this grill fulfill my needs?” If the answer is yes, then make the necessary repairs.
If you answered no, it’s time to start shopping for a new gas grill. Below are some frequent problems and troubleshooting techniques for the various sections of your gas grill.
The reservoir
The government requires modern propane tanks to have an Over Fill Prevention Device (OPD). This prevents a propane tank from being overfilled. The OPD on your propane tank might be broken in rare cases, causing the tank to malfunction.
Hose and regulator for fuel
A propane tank’s or your natural gas line’s output is far larger than you require for grilling. The regulator regulates how much fuel may flow into your grill. A flexible hose with an O-ring connects to the tank (or natural gas line) to establish an airtight seal.
Regulators are pre-programmed by the manufacturer and should not be changed. You’ll find a small vent hole in the center of your regulator if you look closely. Clogged vent holes are a common issue that can create erratic fuel flow and cause issues. Usually, tapping or blowing into the vent can clear it. Fuel leaking produced by a worn or damaged hose or O-ring is another issue.
To see whether there is a leak, combine equal parts dish soap and water and coat everything from the tank to the control valves with the mixture, checking for bubbles. The tank must be connected and turned on, but the control valves must be turned off. If you discover a leak, replace the component.
Control valves
The controlling valves control the fuel flow to the burner. A control valve is located on each burner on your grill. A faulty control valve cannot be repaired; if necessary, the entire machine should be replaced.
Remove the control valve from your grill and check it before proceeding. Insects love to nest in this area, just like in other parts of your grill. The orifice is located in the center of the control.
The orifice, which controls the flow of fuel, might clog. If it is, cleans it out with a tiny wire. Make sure everything is put back together in the same order that it was taken apart. You can’t control the amount of gas flowing to the burner without the orifice, and you risk an explosion.
Venturi tubes
These connect the control valve to the burners and mix the fuel with air to create the flame. An open gap in the gasoline line can easily become obstructed to do. Insects, particularly spiders, usually build their nests here.
The ideal approach is to wrap the venturi tubes in an aluminum screen that will keep the creatures out while not blocking the airflow. Many grills have venturi tubes that are shielded. A misalignment of the venturi tubes with the burner is another prevalent issue.
The venturi tubes are usually only inserted into the gasoline line and can easily be knocked out of place. The shutters on the venturi tubes are movable and may need to be adjusted to regulate fuel flow.
Burners
These come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Aluminized steel is used on the low end, while cast brass and stainless steel are used on the high end. Under normal conditions, low-end burners will last roughly three years.
Because the burner is located inside the grill, it is prone to becoming coated in scorched grease and corroding. To avoid difficulties, inspect and clean your burner regularly. You’ll need to replace the burner if it’s damaged or highly corroded. If feasible, choose a burner of the same size and form as the original but made of a higher-quality metal.
Barrier
A barrier, sometimes known as a radiant, is located between the burner and the cooking grate. Its purpose is to absorb and distribute heat over the cooking surface uniformly. The barrier keeps drippings off the burners and provides a location for grease to accumulate and burn off.
Lava rocks, ceramic briquettes, or metal plates may be used to make it. These must be replaced regularly as they become crusted with burnt grease and food, leaving a terrible flavor on dishes. Porous lava rocks require more frequent replacement.
On the other hand, metal plates may usually be cleaned and reused for a longer period. Examine your barrier. Consider replacing it if it is cracked, heavily covered, or simply not providing an adequate barrier.
Resetting the regulator
The bypass valve inside the regulator becoming stuck closed or half-closed is a typical issue. It restricts gas flow to the burners, causing the grill to go out or heat inefficiently. Follow these procedures to reset your regulator:
- Remove the lid from your grill and turn off all of the burners.
- To turn off the gas to the regulator, turn the valve on the propane tank clockwise.
- Turn the regulator valve, the device that looks like a metal disc, counterclockwise until it is free from the propane tank.
- Set your burner knobs to “high” or “fully open.” This relieves any pressure on the grill’s gas lines. Wait for the pressure to drop and the regulator to reset after a minute.
- Remove the burner knobs and turn them off.
- Connect the regulator to the propane tank once more.
- Slowly open the tank valve until it is entirely open. Your grill should now function normally. If it still doesn’t light or doesn’t stay lit, you may need to replace the regulator valve or hose.
Avoiding gas burners from going out
Just keep a few things in mind to protect your gas burners from going out. All you have to do now is make sure your grill is shut. If you leave your grill open, you’ll lose a lot of heat and flames.
A spilled drink or a strong gust of wind can set your burners on fire. This is also one of the main reasons why most barbecues have enclosed burners. Winds and other elements aren’t able to dampen the flame because of its design.
It is critical to ensure that all gas connections and valves are properly opened to maintain a steady and bright flame. Another wonderful suggestion is to maintain your burner’s flame on medium-low rather than low. A modest flame is quickly extinguished by a gust of wind, as we all know.
Pros of using gas grills
There are numerous advantages to using a gas grill. They’re simple to operate and turn off. They require minimal preparation to get started and offer the most steady cooking flames of any grilling choice. For new grillers, gas grills can be really useful.
Another excellent reason to use gas is for health reasons. Carcinogens will be reduced by using gas-powered flames. Fats tend to sit on the surface of the heat on charcoal and wood, releasing hazardous fumes. Medical specialists have determined that the levels of carcinogens discharged are not dangerous.
Grills fueled by gas provide excellent temperature control. You may select whether you want your food to be cooked low and slow or super-hot since you can adjust the exact strength of the flame. You won’t get this amount of control any other way.
Gas is also thought to be a safer grilling option. Some homeowners organizations outright prohibit the use of charcoal. Wind can pick up the ashes and embers from charcoal and blow them into plants. This is not a problem with gas.
Above all, gas is a less expensive option. When comparing the cost of tanks to the cost of a bag of charcoal and the fuel required to light it, gas comes out on top. In addition, starting a gas grill saves you time, and time equals money. Most gas tank dealers will give you a discount if you return an empty tank!
Finally, charcoal may appear to be difficult for beginners. It necessitates continual monitoring and has no direct control over the temperature. Grilling using gas is simple, safe, and inexpensive!
More gas grilling tips
When it comes to convenience of use, consistent grilling, and health, gas grills are the best option. We have some helpful hints for you if you already use a gas barbecue. These suggestions will not only make your grilling experience more efficient and enjoyable, but they will also help your grill last longer.
The first advice is always to have a gas tank back up. I usually have two petrol tanks on hand. One is hooked to the grill, while the other serves as a backup. Nothing is more frustrating than running out of gas when grilling.
You can easily replace them if you have an extra gas tank and continue grilling steaks and burgers. Store all backup gas tanks away from the cooking area in a cool, dry location.
The second point to remember is to preheat your grill before placing your food on the grill. This will ensure that your food sears as soon as it is placed on the grill. Always remember to close the cover to sear any food that is thicker than half an inch. When cooking thick meats, the lid must be kept closed.
Another suggestion is to preheat your grill for 15 to 20 minutes before cleaning it. Any materials stuck on the grates may soften due to the high heat. Cleaning should now be done using a brush. Just make sure your brush is clean as well.
Final thoughts
We’ve gone through the reasons why your gas grill won’t remain lit and how to fix them. In great detail, we also went over the most typical problems and remedies when working on a gas grill. Happy grilling!