Gas grills have a lot to offer—convenience, control, and ease of use—but they’re not perfect. Unfortunately, they tend to fall short when it comes to both heat capabilities and flavor complexity. We say this as devout gas grill enthusiasts ourselves!
Recognizing these significant shortcomings, we decided to do something about it. Enter FlavrQ!
We invented a grilling system that effectively tackles both pain points. Not only does your food get infused with genuine charcoal-grilled flavor, but FlavrQ-equipped gas grills can reach temperatures over 100°F higher than before, searing and sealing food 50% faster!
Simply put, the best solution for most underperforming gas grills is a FlavrQ upgrade. In the meantime, if your gas grill is not getting hot enough, you can try these fixes. Let’s take a look at ten common causes of low heat output and what to do about them.
1. Your Expectations Are Too High
The simple truth is there might not be a problem at all. In many cases, that’s just how stock gas grills perform. Yes, realizing that your new grill isn’t what you had hoped for is disappointing, but the good news is that FlavrQ provides a solution.
If your gas grill used to get hotter and has recently started declining, there may be an equipment problem, or you may need to do some maintenance. Read on for suggestions.
2. The Fuel Tank Is Low
If your gas grill is not getting hot enough, start with the most obvious culprit—the tank. Just like a car, if there’s no gas in the tank, you’re not getting far! Here are two easy ways to check your tank’s level if it doesn’t have a gauge.
Water Test
- Pour warm to hot water down the side of the tank.
- Feel the tank to find a spot that’s cool to the touch.
- The top of the cool spot is the tank’s fill level.
Weight Test
- Check the tank’s handle for the TW (Tare Weight), which is the weight of the empty tank.
- Weigh the tank.
- Subtract the tare weight from the total weight.
Your gas grill is not getting hot, so you weighed the tank. Here’s how to use that figure to determine how much gas is left.
Most gas tanks have a tare weight of 17 pounds and hold 20 pounds of gas (a full tank would weigh 37 pounds).
So, if your tank currently weighs a total of 18 pounds, for example, that means there’s only one pound of gas left and it’s almost time for a refill or replacement.
3. There’s Insufficient Airflow
Just like making a campfire, you need ample airflow to keep the flames alive. There are a few reasons why restricted airflow may be the reason why your gas grill is not getting hot.
- You’re cooking too much food at once, overcrowding the grill.
- The vents are blocked by food remnants, grease, ashes, or other debris.
- The air filters aren’t opened wide enough.
4. The Burners Are Worn or Damaged
While deterioration shouldn’t occur for at least a few years, gas grills don’t last forever. Decaying burners can lead to a lower temperature output. If you notice rust, holes, or any other signs that your burners are on the way out, that’s probably the cause.
5. There’s a Problem With the Tank Connection
If everything looks normal, your tank has enough gas, and your gas grill is not getting hot enough, check the gas line’s connection. It may seem obvious, but it’s easy to overlook a poor connection.
If the connection is secure, inspect the hose for any kinks. If there are no visible kinks, check for leaks using the following method.
- Apply a solution of soapy water to the hose’s connections.
- If bubbles appear, there’s a leak and the hose will need to be replaced.
6. A Safety Feature Is Active
Even if you don’t have a gas leak, your grill might think that you do. Many gas grills have safety features that become activated if you don’t light the grill properly (or if something else seems amiss).
For example, if a Weber gas grill is not getting hot, it could be in bypass mode, which is when the safety mechanism reduces the tank’s gas flow down to around 10% of its usual volume. Unsurprisingly, this will drastically reduce heat levels.
Check your grill’s manual for information about safety features that may have been activated without you knowing it.
7. Inclement Weather
Cold, windy, or rainy weather can affect your gas grill’s heat output. You may need to move your grill to an area where it’s not as susceptible to the elements. Never use your grill indoors or in any location where there isn’t sufficient airflow.
8. The Regulator Is Faulty
If your gas grill is not getting hot enough, there could be a problem with the regulator.
Common signs of a faulty regulator include the following:
- Unusually low flames.
- Popping sounds when you turn the grill on or off.
- Yellow or orange flames that don’t turn blue.
- Roaring noises from the burners.
- Excessive flames spilling out from the burners.
- Large amounts of soot around the burners.
9. Inaccurate Temperature Gauge
It’s possible that your grill is actually reaching its correct temperatures, but the temperature gauge is showing otherwise. It’s very common for gauges to show temperatures 50-75° lower than the actual cooking temperature because the sensors are affected by outside air temperature.
10. You’re Not Using FlavrQ
If everything seems to be in proper working order, and your gas grill is not getting hot enough, the issue is most likely that your stock gas grill just isn’t powerful enough to reach the extreme temperatures required to perfectly sear and seal food.
Our patented grilling accessories are the ultimate gas grill upgrades, drastically improving heat output, as well as your grilled food’s flavor, texture, and appearance. Even if your gas grill seems to be working fine, FlavrQ will make it better!
Using FlavrQ is simple. Before ordering, measure your grill to make sure it’s compatible with the FlavrQ Grid. The vast majority of gas grills on the market work with FlavrQ, but it’s best to make sure.
The FlavrQ Grid makes it possible to use our patented Charcoal Chips™, which is a 100% natural virgin hardwood fuel derived from Canadian sugar maples. Even if you don’t have problems with your gas grill not getting hot, the incredible flavor boost is worth the switch!
Teach Your Old Grill New Tricks
We hope these tips are helpful as you try to figure out why your gas grill is not getting hot enough.
Sure, these fixes might help a little, but the fact of the matter is that even brand new gas grills don’t get hot enough. Order the FlavrQ Starter Kit so your grill can reach its full potential.
For more expert grilling tips, techniques, recipes, and more, follow our BBQ blog. Level up your grilling game with FlavrQ gas grill accessories!