Firing up the grill for a backyard BBQ is one of life’s simple pleasures, but it doesn’t always go as planned. If your gas grill’s weak flame output is putting a damper on your backyard BBQs, it’s time to take action!
There are many potential reasons why a gas grill may not be performing to your expectations. Without actually checking the components, it’s impossible to pinpoint a specific cause. However, basic troubleshooting may lead to a solution.
Like any device with multiple components, gas grills aren’t immune to failure. Regular wear and tear, misuse, and aging can all contribute to low flame on a gas grill. Sometimes there’s a fix; sometimes there isn’t.
As seasoned gas grillers, we’ve seen our fair share of equipment malfunctions. As always, we’re happy to help! Before replacing your struggling gas grill, check this guide.
Safety First
Never tinker with an active grill. Turn your tank valve off and disconnect it from the fuel source. If you recently used it, wait until it’s completely cooled off.
Analyze the Grill’s Past Performance
Before you start troubleshooting, think about the grill’s performance before now. Did the flame output used to be higher? Have you noticed a decline, or has the grill always lacked in the flame department?
If you’ve always dealt with low flame on a gas grill, it’s not a hardware problem—it’s simply not a powerful grill. In that case, there’s no point in learning how to fix low flame on a gas grill. You can either replace it or upgrade it.
If you’re positive that your grill used to meet your needs, proceed with the following troubleshooting steps.
Get to Know Your Grill
Instead of doing the equivalent of kicking a tire, take the time to understand how your grill actually works. If you still have the manual, read it. If not, you should be able to find a copy online.
Understanding each component’s purpose will help you to pinpoint why there’s low flame on your gas grill. If you’re not able to find a manual for your make and model, you can still learn how most gas grills work. Here are the basics.
- The grill’s flames are powered by a propane tank or natural gas line.
- Opening the gas valve causes gas to pass through a regulator that controls pressure levels.
- The gas travels through the hose and into the grill.
- A manifold distributes the gas among the burners.
- The gas passes through venturi tubes that allow it to mix with oxygen so it can ignite.
- The ignited gas comes out of the burner ports as a flame.
- The flow rate of the gas—which controls the burners’ flame output—is set by control valves (the knobs).
Common Causes of Low Flame on Gas Grills
To determine how to fix low flame on a gas grill, start by narrowing down possible causes.
1. Low or Empty Tank
Most gas tanks have a gauge that shows the current pressure level, which represents its fullness level. 80% means it’s completely full (it never goes to 100% for safety reasons—propane expands).
If there’s no gauge, pour warm water over the tank. The section that’s cool to the touch contains gas. You can also weigh the tank and subtract the current weight from its weight at full capacity.
If your grill uses a natural gas line, make sure the supply valve is completely open and that the line doesn’t have any kinks, leaks, or obstructions.
2. Regulator Problems
The most common reason why low flame on a gas grill occurs is because there’s a problem with the regulator—the circular mechanism between the tank and the hose. It looks kind of like a UFO.
Turning the regulator clockwise increases gas flow; turning it counterclockwise reduces gas flow. In some cases, simply adjusting the regulator can allow for more gas to flow, increasing the flame.
If that doesn’t work, the regulator may be stuck, which will require that you release the pressure.
- Open the grill’s lid.
- Turn off the tank’s gas and disconnect the gas line and regulator.
- Wait five minutes.
- Turn all control valves to the highest position.
- Wait one minute.
- Turn the control valves back to the off position.
- Reconnect the gas line.
- Very slowly turn the tank’s gas back on.
- Light the grill.
3. Clogged Components
Low flame on a gas grill can be caused by gunk inside the grill’s burners, venturi tubes, or other components, which prevents gas from flowing.
Every grilling session leaves debris behind. Even if you clean after every meal, tiny residual particles can add up over time.
Sometimes a thorough cleaning is how to fix low flame on a gas grill. Use an old toothbrush and a solution of baking soda and water to remove any debris that could be blocking gas from flowing properly.
A paper clip, pipe cleaner, or thin wire can help remove stubborn, firmly caked debris. If you’re not able to reach the venturi tubes, you may need to use a specialized tool called a venturi brush.
4. Overfill Prevention Device (OPD)
Low flame on a gas grill can be caused by a safety feature on gas tanks called an Overfill Prevention Device, or OPD. The OPD is a valve that automatically closes if the pressure is in danger of going over 80%.
In many cases, the OPD becomes activated because the user accidentally left the grill’s control knobs open while opening the tank’s valves.
Here’s how to reset the OPD.
- Turn off the gas completely—close the tank valve and turn all the grill’s control knobs to the off position.
- Disconnect the tank’s regulator.
- Wait a few minutes.
- Reconnect the regulator.
- Slowly open the tank’s gas valve.
5. Damaged Hose
Low flame on a gas grill can be caused by a broken, bent, or kinked hose. First, inspect it closely for visual damage. Next, use the following method to check for leaks.
- Apply soapy water to the hose and its connections.
- Without igniting the grill, turn on the gas.
- Look for bubbles—that’s the leak.
If the leak is coming from the connections, they may just need to be tightened. If the hose itself is leaking, replace it. Even if you think you can repair it, there’s a very high chance that it’ll leak again in the near future.
6. Faulty Control Valves
If you’re still struggling to figure out how to fix low flame on a gas grill, try troubleshooting the control valves (the knobs that adjust your flame output). Sometimes low flame on a gas grill only occurs in certain burners, which may signify a faulty control valve.
- Ignite the grill.
- Slowly adjust each knob from low to high.
- Pay close attention to each burner’s performance.
- If one or more burners perform differently than the others, there may be a problem with the corresponding control valve(s).
7. Other Broken Parts
If none of these troubleshooting steps work, there may be a faulty part somewhere. Visually inspect your grill for anything that looks unusual—rust, holes, dents, bends, and so on. Replace or fix the broken part, hire a professional, or get a new grill.
Level Up Your Grilling Game
We hope this guide is helpful as you attempt to fix low flame on your gas grill.
You can find more ideas on how to fix low flame on your gas grill here: 10 Fixes if Your Gas Grill Is Not Getting Hot Enough. Our BBQ blog is a fantastic resource for grillers, so check back often for more grilling tips, recipes, and more.
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