by These days, we’re all upgrading from our beloved charcoal gas grills to propane gas grills. While charcoal grills have their place, gas grills are easier to use regularly. Time to learn how to light a gas grill. Whether you want to start a portable propane gas grill or an automatic gas grill, you’ll get the ultimate solution to your problem.
Table of Contents
2 Ways To Turn On Gas Grills?
Using an Auto Ignition Starter
- Open the gas grill lid
As a rule of thumb, you should open the gas grill lid before turning any knobs. Closing the lid may create an explosion hazard due to gas build-up in the gas grill. Make sure the gas knob is closed and leave the lid open for a few minutes to expel any leaking gas.
- Connect the gas tube to the gas tank
Next, hook the gas pipe behind or below the gas grill securely to the fuel tank as instructed in the owner’s manual. This will help prevent leaks and ensure that the gas supply is not obstructed.
- Turn on the gas
Position the gas shut-off valve on top of the tank and turn it clockwise or counterclockwise from the closed position to the open position so that it is parallel to the pipe. Depending on the brand, your gas grill may have an auxiliary valve that you will also need to open to allow gas to flow through the tubing to the appliance.
- Ignition with auto ignition button
Many modern gas grills are equipped with an auto-ignition button. With this lighter, you don’t have to use a matchstick to light the gas grill. To light the gas grill, simply turn the gas regulator knob and burner, then press the auto-ignition button. Pressing this button will cause the igniter to spark and ignite the gas. After firing the first burner, all remaining burners should be turned on.
- Preheat the gas grill
Before cooking, you should preheat the gas grill for a few minutes (15-20 minutes) to your desired temperature. Close the lid to speed up the process and allow the gas grill to heat up properly.
Lighting Up Gas Grill Manually
If your gas grill doesn’t have an auto-ignition system, or the current system is faulty, you have no choice but to fire it manually. Here are the steps:
- Open the gas grill lid
Always open the lid before lighting the gas grill to prevent a potential explosion. If you keep the lid closed, gas fumes can build up in the gas grill and create a safety hazard.
- Connect the gas line to the fuel tank
Find your gas line and connect it to the fuel tank or gas supply line. Check the air supply line to make sure the connections are intact to prevent leaks.
- Open the air supply valve
Open the gas supply shut-off valve from the closed to the open position to allow gas to flow from the tank to the gas grill. If your gas grill has an auxiliary valve, turn it on as well. Wait a few seconds or minutes for the gas to fill the supply line.
- Light up and place a match on the lighting hole
Your gas grill should have a lighting hole on the side. Find the hole and put a match in it. Light the match inside the lighting hole with the second match, then turn on the burner knob closest to the hole. Once the first burner is lit, turn on the regulator knobs for all remaining burners.
- Preheat gas grill and use as needed
Close the lid and preheat the gas grill to the desired temperature for 15-20 minutes. Now that your gas grill is lit, you’re ready to cook delicious meals.
Starting a Gas Grill if it Troubleshoots
If you’re still facing challenges turning on your gas grill after trying the steps above, then maybe it’s time to troubleshoot your gas grill. Here are some tips to help you resolve any issues affecting your gas grill.
- Check your gas tank and gas supply
First, check the tank for leaks or any malfunctions. Air supply lines should be properly connected to the gas grill and should be open. Also, check that the fuel tank is empty and replace it accordingly.
- Manually light the gas grill
Test the ignition button by pressing it a few times and listening for the sound produced. If the starter button is faulty, it will produce a different sound than normal. If this is the case, consider using a matchstick to manually light the gas grill.
- Replace faulty burners, regulators, and power lines
Check the burner, regulator, power cord, and ignition button and replace any faulty parts accordingly.
- Check the wires
While your gas grill is intended for use outdoors, it likely uses batteries and wires for lighting, auto-ignition, and temperature control. These lines and batteries are subject to wear and tear, losing or draining power. If you find any problems, tighten the loose wires and replace the low battery.
Some Don’ts of Starting a Gas Grill
Do you know how to run a gas oven? However, there are some necessary points to keep in mind. These are here.
- Before lighting the gas stove, don’t forget to open the gas stove lid.
- Do not keep the gas supply on after the gas grill is over. Close the valves on the propane tank and burner.
- Don’t rely on a single propane tank. It might end. Instead, keep one handy.
- Never light the gas grill indoors. Make sure there is adequate ventilation around the grill. It will avoid any dangerous consequences of a leak.
- Don’t start the gas grill right away. You may end up complaining about inefficient heating.
- Never open the gas valve until all knobs in the gas grill are closed. Again, keep your head away from the oven.
- Do not operate the gas grill with oversized sleeves, scarves, clothing that is too loose, or anything with sparks on your hands.
How to Tell If Your Grill Has Issues
- If you open it hisses. This could be a sign of a gas leak.
- If the ignition and gas supply is fine and your gas grill still won’t turn on, the burner needs to be replaced.
- For cooler environments, you may experience a slow gas supply. The cold will freeze some of the propane and reduce gas flow.
- If your rubber tube feels stiff, it needs to be replaced immediately. Long-term use will make the rubber lose its elasticity.
Maintenance Tips for Gas Grills
Since owning a gas grill is not cheap, proper care must be taken. Here are some of our favorite tips to keep your gas grill quality for years:
- Do a routine check with soapy water for any gas leaks. Flushing the pipes with soapy water once a month is a good idea to look for leaks.
- Always cover the gas grill. Please close the lid when not in use. Place a durable, high-quality grill cover on top to ensure it doesn’t corrode or rust. This protects your grill from weather damage.
- Clean the gas grill after each use. This is very important to keep it looking brand new.
- Thoroughly clean once a month.
- Season your gas grill grate for a non-stick finish and rust-proof experience. You don’t have to do this for stainless steel or ceramic-coated sanders.
- Check the fuel level regularly.
Final Thoughts
If the system and components are all in order, it’s never difficult to light a gas grill. You can start the appliance safely by checking out our article on “How to Start a Gas Grill.”
However, when you can’t start the gas grill after a few attempts, you should consult a specialist, as self-healing can do more harm than good.
