Imagine firing up your Blackstone griddle for an afternoon barbeque only to realize that it isn’t working correctly. To your disappointment, you try to adjust the flame, but it doesn’t rise past 250 degrees. You check your propane tank, and it’s full.
Please check the regulator before you get your mood messed up and throw everything away. I found out that the regulator can have several issues that can affect how the grill lights up. In this article, I analyze the problems and give you solutions for each.
Blackstone Griddle Regulator Issues
The most common issue with a Blackstone griddle regulator includes lazy orange or yellow flames. Other issues are some roaring noises, flames that appear o float above the burner ports, and huge soot deposits in the burners.
How Does a Regulator Work?
Before we delve into the actual regulator problems, it’s essential to have some general idea of how a regulator works.
A propane regulator’s main job is to regulate the amount of propane gas getting into the grill. The regulator has an essential part called the bypass.
In most cases, it’s the regulator bypass that develops issues, which can be a result of:
- Improper ignition sequence
- A leak
Common Gas Grill Regulator Issues
A properly working regulator emits a blue flame whose height is even around the burner.
Likewise, as you adjust the flame, it should adjust smoothly, and the burner should only have a faint hiss.
However, if you see the following signs, it could indicate that your regulator has issues. They include:
- Low flames
- Flames coming from the burners air intake
- Some lazy yellow or orange flames
- Some popping noise, especially as you turn the gas on or off
- Flames that seem to be escaping the burner
- The burner has some soot or rust
- Flames that are floating above the burner points
Let’s now discuss the most common of these problems and their solutions in detail.
Low Temperature or Low Flame
The most common problem many people face with their gas grill regulators is low temperature resulting from low flames.
Regulators can sometimes become sticky., and when they do, they limit the vapor getting into your burners, thus lowering the grilling temperature.
You can fix this problem by releasing the pressure on the regulator and resetting it.
Troubleshooting guideline:
- Turn off the gas tank and then open the burner’s lid.
- Detach the gas hose from the gas tank
- Turn the side burners and all other control levels to a high heat setting for about 2 minutes
- Turn off the bypass valve of the burner
- Reconnect your gas hose to the tank
- Turn on the gas tank slowly
- Fire up your grill as usual
Key Points to Note:
You should first turn off the burners and then the propane tank.
Ensure that the grill lid is open so that you can see the burners and monitor any vapor escaping.
Do not put your head under the lid to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
You can consider replacing the regulator if your griddle temperature does not rise after releasing pressure and resetting the temperature.
The Griddle is not Receiving gas.
If your gas tank is full, but your flat-top grill is not receiving any gas, you could be having a gas line leak.
Troubleshooting Guideline:
- Close the tank’s bypass valve and disconnect the hose from the tank
- Close all the other valves and turn off all knobs
- Reconnect the hose to the tank and let it rest for some minutes
- Open the tank valve
- Spray some soapy water into the burner and tank connections and on the regulator hose. If the soap bubbles, there is gas leakage.
- If there is no leak, turn on the Griddle as usual.
- If there is a leak, replace the regulator with a new one
Key Points to Note:
- Always turn off the gas tank valve and all other controls before testing the gas
- If there is no leak, you still need to release the regulator’s back pressure
- Also, check for leaks around the propane tank nozzle
You Have a Frozen Gas Regulator
Sometimes regulators freeze up not due to cold weather outside but due to humid external conditions.
The vapors inside a regulator are incredibly cold. Therefore, it is normal to have a condensation buildup inside the regulator.
And when you fire up your Griddle on high, the resulting humidity interacts with the cold gas line in the regulator, causing the regulator to freeze.
Although freezing inside a regulator is normal, it can also occur if:
- The propane tank is over-filled
- The propane tank is not upright
If this is the case, try removing and exchanging the hose to see if it works. If the gas hose has no problem, the regulator could be faulty.
A Yellow or Orange Flame
If you are experiencing a yellow or orange flame from your burners, check the gas hose and control valves for obstruction.
The vapor flow in the respective valves should be continuous. The tubes and shutters, too, may need some adjusting.
Troubleshooting steps
- Locate the venturi tube adjustment screw that releases the shutters
- Light up your Griddle and set it on low heat
- Screw open the shutters till the flame is blue
- Switch the burners off and tighten the adjustment screw
- Allow the flat-top grill to cool down
Key Points to Note:
- First, observe the grill flames to know if the gas holes are clogged
- If you note any spot with no light, consider cleaning the burners or letting them burn continually for 15 minutes.
Resetting Your Regulator
Sometimes you may need to reset your regulator to deal with most of the problems discussed above.
However, remember that safety is vital anytime you decide to reset your regulator. The propane gas is highly flammable, and mishandling it can result in a fire.
Follow these steps to reset your regulator safely and effectively.
- Ensure you turn off the gas at the propane tank
- Disconnect the propane tank from the hose
- Lift and open the cooktop of your Blackstone griddle
- Turn the burner valves on high and wait for two minutes before turning them off
- Connect the gas hose back to the propane tank
- Turn the propane tank on slowly
- Being careful to use the proper ignition sequence, light the grill
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when a gas regulator goes bad?
A bad gas regulator valve will not be able to detect when you light a flame. Consequently, it will continue to emit gas instead of shutting it off. This may be dangerous because propane gas is highly flammable and may cause accidental fires.
When should I replace my gas regulator?
According to many gas regulators, it’s good to replace your gas regulator after every ten years. By that time, your regulator will have started to show signs of aging. However, you should also replace your regulator if it becomes faulty. Avoid using a defective regulator.
How much does it cost to replace a gas regulator?
The cost of replacing a regulator may vary from one place to another or from one merchant to another. However, the average cost ranges from $250 to $550. Sometimes this can go higher depending on the make and the model of the regulator.
Should a gas regulator hiss?
A slight hissing sound in your regulator, especially after opening the gas cylinder, is normal. In fact, it’s good for the proper functioning of the LPG system.
You don’t need to worry if there is a brief hissing sound when you open the gas cylinder.
Wrapping it up
Your regulator may experience a few problems from time to time. However, the good news is that the solution is usually rather easy.
The best way forward is to ensure that you handle these issues immediately after you notice them.
Some regulator issues will require only minor repairs or solutions. However, some may call for the total replacement of the regulator.
The bottom line is to ensure you observe all safety precautions when handling your regulator issues.