How Do Natural Gas Grills Work

Precautions And Solutions Of Regulator Problems

How To: Natural Gas Grill With Timer

Not all regulators are coming of the same quality, and some are low quality and cheap. So the probability goes up to break-in easily and lasts shorter than you have expected. There is some precaution you can take to lessen the problems, and some solution there would solve them. What are they? Lets discuss it below:

Gas Leaks

Most of the time, users find the gas leak in their hoses. In that case, shut down the valve and remove the regulator from the tank. The gas leaks from it may occur for several reasons. Whenever you are outside, make sure that your pet doesnt chew it or do something that causes it.

The solution to it is simple, and you dont need to bring an expert. Plunge it on soapy water simultaneously to ensure that the burners are off, and then if there is any leak in the regulator, the bubbles will make sure of it. After that, confirm the location of leakage.

Make sure the tightening.

Gas regulators can use manually attachable and detachable from the gas tank. Therefore, you need to be responsible for tightening it properly using a wrench. On the flip side, it is stuck and doesnt open up whenever you see them, then spray a liquid lubricant over the threads. The lubricant will help to loosen it, but it takes an hour to penetrate, so take your time.

Regulator replacement

Find A Gas Grill With Great Grates

Besides the temperature, grill grates are the most important part of any outdoor cooker. Gas grill grates can be stainless steel, cast iron, or enamel-coated. Cast-iron grates are better for searing and maintaining high temperatures, and they add the iconic grill marks better than stainless steel. But cast iron can be a pain to maintain and clean. Stainless-steel grates will last longer, plus theyre lighter and theyre easier to clean.

Enamel-coated grill grates provide an excellent non-stick surface, but if that coating is chipped or damaged, the grate loses all of its magic and becomes difficult to clean. And dont stick to just grilling grates. Add a griddle pan for easy outdoor frying.

How Do I Replace A Gas Grill Igniter

If your barbecue igniter goes out, dont panic and buy a new barbecue right away. While the igniter may be slightly different from barbecue to barbecue, the fix is similar and really quite simple.

  • First, before trying to fix your igniter, check to see if your igniter has a battery by unscrewing the igniter knob and replacing it. If your igniter works, then skip next steps and get back to grilling!
  • Remove the grill grate and then remove the heat deflector. Loosen the retention ring around the igniter button.
  • Next, remove the igniter module by reaching underneath your grills front control panel and gently removing the unit.
  • Unplug the wires from the back of the igniter unit.
  • Remove the front grill knobs and place them aside and then remove the control panel heat shield.
  • Unclip the igniter wires that lead to each grill and then proceed to remove each of the old ceramic igniter wires.
  • Replace the old ceramic white igniter wires with new ones paying attention to the length of each igniter wire. Clip the wires back into place and connect them back to the igniter unit.
  • Put the control panel, knobs, wind deflector and heat shield back into place, replace the igniter and screw the retention ring back on holding everything back into place.

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Best Gas Grill Prices

Grills come in a wide range of price points, depending on size, features and quality.

Inexpensive: Grills under $200 should have 3 or 4 burners, 400 to 600 square inches of cooking surface, a built-in thermometer, individual burner ignitors and controls, 30,000 to 50,000 BTUs, and porcelain-enameled grates.

Mid-range: In addition to the features listed for the inexpensive range, mid-range grills should have 700 to 800 square inches of cooking space, up to 78,000 BTUs, one or more side burners, lights, and a rotisserie burner or smoker burner. You may have to choose from among some of the features, but many of them will be included.

Expensive: Grills costing $1,200 and up should have literally all of the features above. Better design and engineering, larger grills, heavier-gauge steel and higher-quality materials overall are the hallmarks of top-end grills. Showroom models top out at around $2,700. Anything more than that would be for a custom-built grill.

Can I Hook Up Natural Gas To My Propane Grill

Propane Built In Gas Grill : Rickyhil Outdoor Ideas ...

Short answer: Usually, but not before a few modifications. It is recommended that, unless youre an expert yourself, you do not attempt this conversion without a licensed gas technician to ensure your safety. Barbecues Galore can help you with the conversion. Contact us today to set up an appointment to get your gas grill natural gas ready.

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Why Use Gas Grills Over Charcoal Electric And Wood Pellet Grills

Of the main types of backyard grillsgas, charcoal, electric, and wood pelletsgas is the most popular, and with good reason. Gas grills are the easiest grill to start, control, and clean. Even if youve never grilled so much as a cheese sandwich, you can quickly become a gas-grilling master.

Another big benefit of a gas grill is the size. You can cook a whole chicken or rack of ribs easily and efficiently on most gas grills. You can find small gas grills for camping and tailgating, but most backyard gas grills will have a nice big surface that can handle two dozen burger patties or more.

Gas grills can be more expensive than charcoal grills, but youre paying for convenience. Charcoal grills require more setup and monitoring, plus theres the ash you have to deal with after cooking. Gas grills need a tank of fuel, but thats about it. Touch the electric ignition and within a few minutes the gas grill is ready to cook.

What Are Btus In Grills What Is A Btu Rating

Propane appliances, including grills, are typically rated by their energy output capacity, measured in BTUs, or British Thermal Units. Each BTU is the amount of thermal energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. And while thats a great metric for determining the right size heater for your home, when it comes to outdoor cooking surface area is more important than maximum heating capacity.

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What To Know Before You Go For It

If you decide to go with a natural gas grill connected to your home gas system, there are some things you should know before you make your grill purchase.

First, natural gas grills and propane grills are not the same thing, so be sure to shop for the right type.

Some areas require a permit. If you live in a community that has a homeowners association, certain types of grills may be subject to restrictions. So youll want to check on these things. Hopefully your locale only requires that you install a quick connect shut-off valve at the house.

Speaking of the installation, there are a couple of different methods of hooking up your grill to the gas line. The safest is with a gas plug safety quick disconnect. Your best bet is to hire a natural gas plumber to do this for you.

Tips To Grill Like A Pro:

Gas Grill Overview – How Your Grill Works
  • Cooking with indirect heat is heat on both sides of the grill or the side. If youre cooking large meat, use this method. Meats such as roast, or ribs will sit over the unlit part of the grill.
  • Cooking with direct heat, the fire is directly under the meat. Use this method for small meats that cook in 20 minutes, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, etc.
  • Season or marinate meat in advance to grilling.
  • If possible, try to turn the food on the grill only once or less often.
  • Refrain from opening the lid of the grill frequently.

Grilling like a pro doesn’t happen overnight, but were here to help and coach you along the way. After using these tips, youre no longer a beginner. Try grilling more often, as practice makes perfect and saves energy. In addition, you can also save energy by powering your grill with our Green Gas, click here to get started!

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Why Won’t My Gas Grill Get Hot Enough

If your grill wont get hot enough it could be because the grill thinks it has a gas leak due to a safety feature located in the gas regulator that detects gas leaks. The regulator safety feature drops the gas pressure to 10% resulting in a lower flame size.

Sometimes the safety feature can show a false positive resulting in a low flame but no leak. To reset the value:

  • Open the lid to your grill and make sure all the knobs on the grill are in the off position.
  • Turn the gas on from the tank or gas line first and give it a moment to build gas pressure up in the line. The pressure will build and push the safety feature in the valve back in place.
  • After waiting, turn your grill on as normal and use the built-in igniter to light the flame.
  • Once the flame ignites, turn the rest of your burners on to high and close the lid. Give your grill about 10 minutes to approach 500° to 550°.

If your grill reaches these temperatures, then the issue has been fixed and youre in the clear to get back to grilling.

Have You Checked For Spiders And Insects In Burners

It’s not uncommon to find Spiders and insects your burners. These pesky critters cause the gas to flow from the front of the burner. This is a very dangerous situation as it can cause a fire behind the valve panel as well as damaging the grill thus making it unsafe to operate. You should inspect the burners at least once a year or immediately if any of the following conditions occur:

  • The smell of gas in conjunction with the burner flames appearing yellow.
  • The Grill does not reach desired temperature.
  • The Grill heats unevenly.
  • The burners make popping noises
  • The Knobs are getting very hot
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    Propane Vs Natural Gas Grills

    Nothing says “festive” like the idea of throwing a thick juicy steak onto a hot grill. Theres a pure primal pleasure that comes from watching your food cook on an open fire as the aroma of sizzling barbecued sausages, different kinds of delicious meats and veggies fill the air.

    For some, this is the best form of aromatherapy there is. Others simply take pleasure in the process. Grilling is an art. It takes a special kind of skillset to get just the right amount of sear while preserving all the juicy tenderness that is synonymous with a flavor-filled meat fest.

    But, like every artist, you need the best set of tools to get the best outcome. Choosing the right grill is central to the whole process. This begs the question: Propane vs. natural gas grills which is better? This guide explores the answer to this question in depth.

    Natural Gas Vs Propane Grills

    Learn how a propane gas grill really works.

    From the cuts of meat and secret sauces you grill with to temperature settings and cook times, BBQing is often a matter of personal preference.

    The age-old debate between natural gas and propane is no different.

    Both of these clean fuel sources are easy to use and quickly provide high heat, which is why gas grills are the most popular choice among home cooks today. Neither is truly better than the other, but each has certain qualities and limitations that make it the more practical choice in specific situations.

    The most important thing to keep in mind is that you cant use a natural gas grill with a propane grill, and vice versa, because gas orifices are sized differently to accommodate the different pressures of each gas. Though some grill brands sell conversion kits that allow you to change the orifices, its a good idea to familiarize yourself with what separates natural gas from propane.

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    Can The Grill Hold Up Against A Shake Test

    Gas grills need to be sturdy. A gas grill that tips over is a serious safety concern. If possible, give the grill a shake before buying. If you feel too much wobble and rattling, the grill could fall apart after one season of use. Welded stainless-steel gas grills tend to hold up better. If the grill is built with nuts and bolts, make sure everything is tight and all joints are as seamless as possible. The lid should lift easily yet feel secure when closed. If you assemble the grill yourself, read the instructions carefully. Many grill manufacturers also provide easy-to-follow online videos and tutorials to make sure youre grilling safely.

    The best gas grill should also have wheels or casters for easy mobility. Gas grills can be heavy, so if you plan on moving the grill make sure the wheels are up to the challenge and not cheap, hollow plastic. And always keep your gas grill covered when not in use. Rain is the obvious enemy of grills, but lawn chemicals and pesticides can also seep into the grill and cause damage.

    Can You Hire A Gas Grill Dealer To Convert Your Grill

    It used to be easy to hire a gas grill seller to do this work for you. In fact, most grill dealerships would have someone on staff who knew how to do it for a nominal fee. That is no longer the case. To avoid major lawsuits, Weber actually had all of their dealers sign agreements to refuse to convert new gas grills.

    As a result of the new paperwork, there is nowhere in the country that offers this service. If you want to do it, you will have to do it at home on your own. Some handymen also tend to offer this service, but its rarely ever officially advertised due to the legal implications that it can have.

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    How To Use A Gas Grill

    Cooking on a gas grill is a great way for aspiring outdoor chefs to prepare delicious grilled food without having to stoke a fire. Learning how to use a gas grill is simple, which is just one reason for their popularity. Gas grills heat up quickly, can be operated easily and require little cleanup.

    This guide teaches you basics such as how to turn on a gas grill and offers more gas BBQ tips for beginners who are eager to know how to cook on a gas grill.

    Gas grills are fueled by either propane or natural gas. Natural gas grills are connected to the homes gas line. More common are propane grills, which use tanks of liquid propane to fuel the burners.

    Before making any other preparations, check the level of your fuel supply to avoid running out of propane before dinner is cooked. A standard 20-pound propane tank will typically provide about 25-hours of grilling time. Inspect the tank for damage and make sure the supply line and regulator are in good condition and connected properly.

    Tip: Always have a full spare tank of propane on hand. Running out of fuel mid-cookout is a mistake that beginners and experienced grillers can easily prevent.

    Gather the grill accessories and tools that are needed for your cookout, which might include metal tongs, a spatula, instant-read thermometer, grill brush and barbecue mitts. If you plan to use wood chips to add smoky flavor to food, start soaking a handful or two in water now.

    Best Accessories For Gas Grills

    How To Start a Natural Gas Grill

    Get a good, basic set of tools to use with your gas grill: a stainless steel wire brush for grate cleaning, a spatula, tongs, grill fork, kitchen scissors and food brush for basting sauces.

    Some grills can be retrofitted with infrared searing elements. WiFi digital grill thermometers are a great way to monitor cooking temperature when you need to step away from the grill or youre slow-cooking a large cut of meat.

    A high-quality wire brush can be a good cleaning tool, but some wire brushes shed tiny pieces of wire that can end up in your food. Alternatives to wire brushes include hard plastic brushes and wooden scrapers.

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    Standard Btu Range For A Grill

    The industry standard for BTUs needed for a grill is between 75 and 100 BTUs per square inch of heating surface. When choosing a grill, shoppers should focus on the quality of construction, the desired cooking area, and the ability to generate even heating across the entire cooking surface.

    Grills that fall in the lower range, and specifically below 71 BTUs per square inch, could operate at lower temperatures and result in longer cooking times. Conversely, a grill above 100 BTUs per square inch could generate too much heat and potentially char your meal. Typically, a grill with between 80 to 100 BTUs per square inch of cooking surface will provide fast and consistent heat.

    Lay The Food On The Grill

    • Choose an easy-to-cook meat for your first grilling session. Burgers or steaks are excellent options because beef is really hard to mess up. It doesn’t need to be well-done to be eaten safely or taste good.
    • Lay all your meat on the grill at the same time, leaving at least an inch of space around each piece.
    • Resist the urge to start flipping too soon. Let the meat cook for several minutes at medium heat until the underside is nicely browned.
    • When you think the food’s ready for flipping, use your tongs or spatula to gingerly test one piece. If it comes off the grill easily, without sticking, it’s the right time to flip. Flip all pieces of meat when they’re ready.

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