Propane grill

[All U Get]

Hi all,

Our rail mounted propane grill has been getting harder to start because of the lack of gas flowing into the burner. We have a long hose extending from a BBQ tank in the locker to the grill. The hose seems to fill with gas so I don't think it's a tank issue rather than the regulator on the grill. When I turn the knob there isn't any flow of propane. Is there any way test whether or not this is working properly? Then of course are these regulators generic one size fits all?

All U Get

 

[Chief RA]

Not sure about whether you have a propane volume problem due to your regulator. They can be adjusted if you punch through the foil on the knob on some units. My suggestion is that the problem with such units is it has to do with the propane being swept away with the breeze. If this is identified as the trouble, put lava rock around the burner cavity and it is like a miracle. You can actually light it and perk coffee it gets so hot! Chief

 

[Benny17441]

If you are using an inline low pressure regulator it is easy to find a replacement. If it uses a proprietary regulator that inserts by twisting into an orifice on the grill it will likely fit only that grill brand. They say submerge the regulator overnight into a solution of soap and water and then flush. If it does not work there are no serviceable parts in those so just replace. One thing, always make sure the burner(s) are off before opening the tank valve. This will not allow an internal safety shut off to deploy.

 

[Tom G P-21]

I think benny is on the right track. If there is a slight leak on the burner valve, the tank valve will go into safety mode when you open and go to low output. Make sure the grill is completely off and there are no leaks then open the tank. You might have to cycle it a couple times before you get full pressure.

 

[rgranger]

This is only slightly related but on every land based BBQ gas grill I have ever owned.... I occasionally get a very low flame that just won't get hotter.... it is almost like the tank is almost empty-- but it is not. And if I disconnect the tank and shake it and reinstall the regulator, it "magically" starts working correctly again. Don't know why but it is an observation I've made. Maybe next time you get a low flame, try disconnecting the the tank and shake it....

 

[JamesG161]

Then of course are these regulators generic one size fits all?

For Propane, the regulators are standard if built since their popularity began many years ago. They regulate pressure only and their size determines the flow capacity. Small grill , small size. Restaurant grill, big size.

My 4 burger size grill had a "baby" regulator. The burner is a flame distributer, but also restricts gas/air flow. your regulator should be sized to match your burner, but since it sound like a change in performance, I suspect burner problems. Typical failure of a regulator is On/Off but stranger things have happened.

Check it in a bucket of water for a quick burst. No smoking.
Jim...

 

[All U Get]

If you are using an inline low pressure regulator it is easy to find a replacement. If it uses a proprietary regulator that inserts by twisting into an orifice on the grill it will likely fit only that grill brand. They say submerge the regulator overnight into a solution of soap and water and then flush. If it does not work there are no serviceable parts in those so just replace. One thing, always make sure the burner(s) are off before opening the tank valve. This will not allow an internal safety shut off to deploy.

I think that is what's happening. Before I could get it to light I'd have to turn it off and on several times to get gas to flow. After trying for 1/2 an hour I just gave up. I'll look for a replacement.

On a different note I was able to find CNG for the galley stove locally. We are the last of a handful of sailors still using it on the east coast.

All U Get

 

[hewebb]

That happened to me last year and it was spider web material in the fuel supply near the burner.

 

[BlowMeAway]

Actually the response from hewebb is right on. Spiders love the smell of Ethyl Mercaptan, the most common odorant added to propane to provide a sensory response to a gas leak. Once the spiders (numerous varieties and sizes) are inside an orifice, yes even the tiniest of holes, nests are built which obviously consist of webbing. These are fairly insidious constructions which retard the flows of propane gas to the burner. I would start from the orifice discharge into the burner and work my way back using pins, pipe cleaners, and compressed air to clean out the distribution line...all the way back to the regulator. This issue is well documented and discussed online as well. Good luck...good grilling.

 

[All U Get]

And we have had several days when the boat is decorated with spider webs. Back to the boat with pins and needles.

All U Get

 

[woodster]

AUG find you a welding friend that works for a large company and get some tip cleaners from him or goto the welding supply and pay for a set ......

 

[BayMan]

A problem I have on my land based Weber (best grill ever IMO) - if you turn the tank valve on when the grill valves are open you will get a very low flame that never gets hot. Make sure grill valves are closed, close then open tank valve then give it a go.

 

[All U Get]

Well here it is. I brought the grill home and put a little green bottle on it. Worked fine. Cleaned it up pretty and took it back. Brought the hose line home since we keep the 20 lb bottle in the gas locker and hook it up when we want to grill. Hooked it up to the 20 lb bottle at home and could use a small nail to depress the check valve at the end of the line. I got a squirt of liquid out of the hose then gas from the bottle. I think that is part of the issue. We lay the bottle down in the gas locker and probably don't let it rest upright long enough before grilling. Was never an issue before but it's been a little cool in Maine so far.
I believe all the parts still work, glad we found a new starter sparker at Walmart.

All U Get

 

[jssailem]

land based Weber

Own a weber. Great grill. Regulator has a safety. If gas opened with grill set to start, regulator tjinks you have a gas leak and shuts flow down to trickle. Requires you to close burner control. Wait 3 minutes for pressure to normalize in lines and reset safety, then you can open valve and light. 3 more minutes and the grill is at 500 degrees and ready to sizzle.

 

[JamesG161]

We lay the bottle down in the gas locker and probably don't let it rest upright long enough before grilling.

All gas grills need GAS and not liquid propane. All supply bottles/cylinders should alway have the valve up.
A properly filled supply tank will have both liquid and gas propane. The liquid boils using outside temperatures to boil it. Unless it is -10F° outside and you don't have a big azz grille then you should always have gas.

Sounds to me you have a regulator misfit. I use the small green 1 pound size and my Magma
works fine.
I refill my 1 lb with my 20 lb at home with this and it cost about $0.25 a refill versus +$3 for a new one.
https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-Pr...290726&sr=1-5&keywords=propane+refill+adapter

I even wrote an Amazon Review Nov 20 2014 behind this simple device. It works!
Jim...

 

[Johnb]

I once got a batch of propane bottles with some kind of gum in the propane. Used carburetor cleaner to de gum the jets.

 

[All U Get]

All gas grills need GAS and not liquid propane. All supply bottles/cylinders should alway have the valve up.

I refill my 1 lb with my 20 lb at home with this and it cost about $0.25 a refill versus +$3 for a new one.
https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-Pr...290726&sr=1-5&keywords=propane+refill+adapter

Jim...

We only lay the bottle down for storage, best use of space. We stand it up for grilling, but there could be some liquid near the valve on the inside. I think that could have been the residual I got when I bled the line. We have about 6 feet of hose from the bulk tank. I've seen other cruisers with that adapter for the little bottles and they always worked well. I just don't have the room for a bottle hanging on the grill.

There was a boat with a horizontal bottle that needed filling while we were in the Bahamas. His choice was a three week turn around with the mail boat taking the tank to Nassau. His 10 lb took up almost the same room as our 20. Those aint cheap either. We fixed him up with small bottle.

All U Get

 

[gettinthere]

My grill was acting up so I bought a new regulator. I discovered the orifice on the regulator was gunked up with grease. Soaked it in acetone to clean it. I had to reuse the old orifice on the new regulator. Works fine now.