Grill Burner Maintenance

A deeper dive into inspection and maintenance of your gas grills Burners

 

Flame Inspection

With the grill lid closed and the cooking surfaces in place, observe the burner’s flame from below the grill bottom and looking through the air supply holes. A good flame would be blue with some yellow tip coming from the burner holes. There should not be an excessive gap between the flame and the burner. Some yellow tips on flames up to 1" in length are acceptable as long as no carbon or soot deposits appear.

A new burner may give excessive yellow flame while burning off oils used in manufacturing. After breaking in a new burner and once the oil has burnt away, check the burner flame.

Adjusting your Burners flame If flames are excessively yellow and irregular, the oil residue may not be completely burnt off, the venturi tubes may not be properly positioned over the orifice, or the venturi tube Shutters may not be properly adjusted.

To Adjust Shutters:

1. Loosen screw to air shutter and close shutter
2. Open slowly until flame is free of yellow - Do not open any farther than required
3. Shut off gas, let grill cool and tighten adjustment screw

Remove the Burners

Allow the grill to completely cool. First, remove the Cooking Grates and heat distribution plates allowing access to the burners. Remove the burners from the grill- detach them-theres usually retaining clips or small screws that keep them in place-and pull the Burner/Venturi tube away from the gas control valves/manifold.
Some grills require loosening and tilting the manifold away from the burners to extract them (e.g.: older style Weber gas grills that have the manifold and controls on the right hand side table). There are others that require the front panel be loosened and tilted forward in order to provide enough spacial range (front to back) to extract the burner tubes.

Proper Burner inspection

Once in hand, examine the burner assembly for corrosion damage paying particular attention to the seams along the edges near the burner ports. The seams, or those areas where the metal is folded over in manufacturing, often trap grease and this is where corrosion generally begins. Apply pressure with your thumbs to the solid metal areas of the burner to check for weakness. Check for clogged holes which would prevent flame and/or flaked away openings which cause the burner ports to increase in size and create uneven burning. Splits in burners and burner castings are a sign for replacement.

How to clean Burners

Using a wire brush clean the exterior of the burner to remove loose corrosion and excessive residue. Clean up plugged, clogged gas holes with an opened paper clip. For Venturi Tubes: Use a coat hanger with the tip bent in a small hook-shape (or a tube brush), to scrape/clean the interior of residue and possible blockages by insects.

Should you replace your Burner(s)?

Rusting and discoloration is common for all types and materials including aluminized steel, stainless steel and cast iron. Once you have examined your Burners, if there’s excessive rusting, or gas holes have rusted out and are creating a hotspot, or the Burner is splitting at the seams it is time for replacements. Cast iron burners which the gas holes have "swollen shut" or "opened up" and can not let gas burn effeciently need to be replaced as well.

How long does a Burner last?

Depending on climate and usage, your Burner will last 2 to 5 years depending on quality of construction and maintenance - Yes this includes cast iron! Living by the sea or rainy climates, and food acids are detrimental to Burner longevity.

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Grill Burner Shapes

Finding the right puzzle piece

Alright, let’s take a closer look at grill burners – they come in all shapes, styles, and materials, and we usually name them based on what they look like from the top. Take, for instance, the H-Burner, which resembles the letter H, the oval burner with its, well, oval shape, and the tube burner, a long, slender fellow.

Now, why does the shape of these burners matter, you ask? Well, it’s all about how they distribute the flame and heat evenly across your cooking surface. You see, the combustion air holes underneath these burners follow their shape, so if you ever need to replace a burner, it’s crucial that you match it with the same shape and configuration as the original.

In simpler terms, it’s like finding the right puzzle piece – you want it to fit perfectly to keep your grill running smoothly. So, when it comes to burners, remember, shape matters, and matching the original configuration ensures your grill keeps on cooking like a champ.

Grill Burner Materials

A bit about burner materials and longevity

Different grills use various materials for their burners, and the choice of material can affect their durability, especially when it comes to fighting off that pesky corrosion. Now, let’s break it down:

Aluminized Steel: This is the go-to for many budget-friendly grills. It’s like the dependable workhorse.

Porcelain Coated Steel: Picture this: steel with a fancy baked-on porcelain enamel finish adding a touch of style to your grilling game.

Stainless Steel: Ah, the superstar of grill materials! You’ll find this one from the low-end to the high-end grills. There are different grades and thicknesses, though. It’s like the middleweight champion of the grill world – reliable and versatile.

Cast Iron: Solid and molded, cast iron burners hold heat and last up to a decade. But remember, cast iron can be a bit temperamental, so give it a little love – oil and maintenance – for a full and happy life.

The life of your burner depends on how you treat it – usage, maintenance, and the environment it lives in. So, choose your burner wisely, and your grill will reward you with years of delicious barbecues!

Always refer to your owners manual. The information provided is not intended to take the place of the owners manual that was supplied with your grill. Specific safety, repair and maintenance information varies between grill models and brands.