Troubleshooting Common Grill Tank Issues

Easy Fixes to Keep You Grilling This Season

You probably haven’t fired up your gas grill in a few months. But believe it or not, spring is in the air and now’s the time to clean and test your grill. Don’t wait until you’ve got a crowd of hungry mouths and a pile of chicken, burgers or bbq ready to go to discover your grill won’t light, the flames are low, or there’s an unexpected hissing sound coming from your grill tank. We’ve got solutions to help you troubleshoot those common gas grill tank problems so you can enjoy time with friends and family.

Check the Connection

Is your grill tank properly connected to the grill? Some propane tanks are designed to prevent gas from releasing unless it is connected properly and securely.

Similarly, if the valve is opened all the way, safety features will stop the flow of gas. Frost on the outside of the tank is an indication that the valve is open all the way. Close the valve, disconnect it from the grill, and wait 15 minutes. Then reconnect the tank, and turn the valve only once. If the flame is too low, you can slowly open the valve more until the flame is the right size.

If the valve wheel feels stuck, be sure you’re turning it clockwise to open: Remember, left to loosen, right to tighten. Never use a tool to open a stuck valve. Try a little bit of oil, or exchange your tank. (A great reason to keep a spare on hand!)

Low or sparse flames are usually a sign of regulator problems, and eventually will result in no gas flow. The solution here is to get a new hose and regulator.

Don’t Ignore Hissing Sounds

If you hear a hissing coming from the propane cylinder connected to your grill, immediately extinguish all flames and turn off the gas—it may be a small leak. The good news, especially if it’s a hot, sunny day, is that the hissing sound you are hearing is because the pressure-relief valve is open. Do not try to close it. It will close automatically when the pressure returns to a safe level. You can help cool your tank by spraying it with cool water from a hose.

If the hissing continues, or it’s not a particularly hot or sunny day, you may have a leak. Disconnect the tank, place it in a well-ventilated area and let it empty out. Once it’s empty, you can return it. Never transport a leaking propane cylinder.

Are You Sure It’s Your Tank?

If the grill won’t light, it could be a problem with the igniter on your grill. There are two common types of propane grill igniters. Piezo igniters do not require batteries or electricity; push-button igniters do. If you have a battery-powered igniter, replace the batteries.

If you have a piezo igniter, see if the burners can be lit with match or lighter. Inspect the grill for cracks in the ceramic tube and breaks in the metal tip. Make sure the wires are plugged into the spark generator. If these steps don’t work, contact a professional to properly diagnose and correct the problem.

Out of Propane?

This is the easiest problem to fix, and Admiral makes it easy to refill your tanks at our Blountville and Greeneville locations, or exchange for our propane at multiple other locations across the Tri-Cities area. We offer propane tank refills for a variety of sizes, including 20-pound cylinders most folks use for grills, patio heaters, and mosquito traps, up to 100- pound cylinders.

Whether you want to fill up your tank, or you want to pick up an extra propane grill tank so you always have a spare, Admiral is happy to help. Contact us for more information today.