Sputtering BBQ, busted regulator?

[MikeDacre]

Hi everyone,

I just was given a nice new Char-Broil two burner gas grill. Took me a couple of hours to put it together (internet purchase), but it looks great and fits on my tiny patio, which is nice.

Problem is, the damned thing doesn't work. When I light it, every 10–15 seconds it sputters out for an instant and restarts; not very inspiring. My feeling is that it is the regulator, and I think that Char-Broil will replace it for me, but I was hoping to get some advice from folks who know what they are talking about.

I took a video of the problem, it is here:

Any help would be great, and I will post back when I hear from Char-Broil about it.

Thanks!

[smokeasaurus]

Hey Mike,

can't help you with your problem but others will be along shortly to help you out.

What say you do another post here in general discussion and introduce yourself so we can give you a warm LTBBQ welcome 

[tomcrete1]

Hi everyone,

I just was given a nice new Char-Broil two burner gas grill. Took me a couple of hours to put it together (internet purchase), but it looks great and fits on my tiny patio, which is nice.

Problem is, the damned thing doesn't work. When I light it, every 10–15 seconds it sputters out for an instant and restarts; not very inspiring. My feeling is that it is the regulator, and I think that Char-Broil will replace it for me, but I was hoping to get some advice from folks who know what they are talking about.

I took a video of the problem, it is here:

Any help would be great, and I will post back when I hear from Char-Broil about it.

Thanks!

Possibly air in the line try, shutting down and disconnecting propane tank and then open up your burners for a minute. Then reinstall your propane and turn your gas back on and try that. If that doesn't work they may be an issue with the gas regulator coming off the propane tank.  I' m sure you received an owners manual with the grill follow instructions and if that doesn't resolve then call customer service.  Hope this helps, Good Luck

[Smokin Don]

Mike if you have a second tank try it, if it's not a regulator problem spider webs in the venturi tube can cause something like that. You wouldn't think so with a new grill but it could happen. I have a venturi brush I run into the air vent every spring to clean out. Good luck and welcome to the site. Don

[Tailgating is my game]

Hi Mike looks like a nice grill I would do what the others before me said.  If not call CB.  After this slow start I hope you have many years of good results. I have  a CB electric & a portable & like them both.

[muebe]

Check that your propane tank is not overfilled. Open up the bleeder screw and make sure that there is no liquid propane coming out.

If the tank is not overfilled then try another tank as suggested. These new tanks have a safety valve and your's might be defective.

If it happens with another tank then it is most likely a sticking regulator spring and the regulator will need replacement

[TMB]

Check that your propane tank is not overfilled. Open up the bleeder screw and make sure that there is no liquid propane coming out.

If the tank is not overfilled then try another tank as suggested. These new tanks have a safety valve and your's might be defective.

If it happens with another tank then it is most likely a sticking regulator spring and the regulator will need replacement

Listen to Muebe, he is the master of all things GAS

[GusRobin]

Listen to Muebe, he is the master of all things GAS

And all things Cook-Air

[teesquare]

Listen to Muebe, he is the master of all things GAS

And all things Cook-Air

It's good to se that you recognized muebe's skill for...gastronomic percussion....

[muebe]

Listen to Muebe, he is the master of all things GAS

And all things Cook-Air

It's good to se that you recognized muebe's skill for...gastronomic percussion....

Hey when your as good as me other people will hear it

[hikerman]

Listen to Muebe, he is the master of all things GAS

And all things Cook-Air

It's good to se that you recognized muebe's skill for...gastronomic percussion....

This just very well may explain Mike's enormous aversion to....peas! He's afraid of ...misfiring!!!!

[Tailgating is my game]

Listen to Muebe, he is the master of all things GAS

And all things Cook-Air

It's good to se that you recognized muebe's skill for...gastronomic percussion....

This just very well may explain Mike enormous aversion to....peas! He's afraid of ...misfiring!!!!

LOL He is the king of the Cook AIR it out.

[MikeDacre]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for all of the replies. I have been away so I only just had a chance to read through them. I have managed to narrow things down and it is a weird one. The burners have a little piezoelectric lighter that attaches to the burner via a little flame capture box. If you look at this image: https://goo.gl/photos/kdmaELyMuJd2X34H6 (its not a very good picture) you can see that the air hole on the right is less open than the one on the left. I *think* that that is what is causing the problem but I haven't had time to test that theory yet. I can say that the issue happens when that box is attached to the underside of the burner, but does not happen when it not attached and I light the thing with a lighter.

I have spoke to CB about this and they have been helpful (although unsuccessful at diagnosing the problem) and they replaced both the regulator/hose assembly and then the burner assembly, and neither fixed the issue. I also tried the technique suggested by tomcrete1 to open up the regulator, and that didn't work. I borrowed a friend's gas bottle too and tried with that to see if some problem (like overfilling suggested by muebe), that didn't work, the problem persisted. I never for a moment thought it could be the little lighter system, but that seems to be what it is.

I will try to bend the little prong on the right so it is as open as the one on the left and see if that fixes it. CB is also sending me a whole new piezoelectic lighter and flame capture box, so hopefully that will also fix it.

I will report back here once it is fully functional to let you know how it went!

Thanks again everyone, lots of helpful advice :-)

[tomcrete1]

Hope all works out well,,