Grill Parts - The Anatomy of the Gas Grill

The Tank: Your propane tank is either the standard older style or the newer QCC tanks. The older tanks are basically nothing but a fuel tank with a valve, the QCC tanks have a built in safety regulator that can limit the flow of propane to your grill.

Fuel Hose and Regulator: The output of a propane tank is much greater than you need for grilling so the regulator controls the amount of fuel that can flow to your grill. The regulator attaches to the tank by a flexible hose with an O-ring to create an airtight seal. Regulators are preset by the manufacturer and should not be adjusted by you.

Control Valves: The controls do just that, control the flow of fuel to the burner. Some grills have one control valve and others have several. The valve consists of several components that are specifically designed on a number of factors. You cannot repair a bad control valve and if need be you should replace the whole unit.

Venturi Tubes: The venturi tubes connect the control valve to the burner(s) and mix the fuel with air to provide flame. To mix the air into the fuel there is an open gap in the fuel line here that can easily become obstructed. Insects, especially spiders, love this space and given half a chance will move in as quickly as possible. The best solution for this is to wrap the venturi tubes with an aluminum screen that will not block the airflow but will keep the critters out

Burners: Burners come in many shapes, sizes and materials particular to your specific grill. What the burner is made of will tell you pretty much how long it will last. Burners range from aluminized steel at the low-end to cast brass on the high end. Low end burners will typically last about 3 years under normal circumstances. Because the burner is inside the grill it tends to get coated in burnt grease and can corrode quickly. Inspect and clean your burner regularly to avoid problems. If the burner is damaged and heavily corroded, you will need to replace it. Get the same size and shape of burner but consider purchasing one of a better quality metal if yours isn't top of the line.

Barrier: In between the burner and the cooking grate is something called a barrier; some people call it a radiant. It is called a radiant because it is supposed to absorb and release heat evenly to the cooking surface. These are the lava rocks, ceramic briquettes or metal plates. These need to be replaced periodically as they become crusted in burnt grease and food and can create an unpleasant flavor on foods as they age. Lava rocks, because they are porous tend to need replacement more often. Metal plates can typically be cleaned and used for a longer time. Inspect your barrier. If it is broken up, heavily coated or simply not creating a sufficient barrier, consider replacing it.