Anatomy of a Gas Grill

Any good-thinking outdoor cook would take time to know the equipments to be used for his/her task. This would entail familiarizing oneself with the important parts of the grill to ensure safety and maximize use. Grilling can be an enjoyable activity if the cook and the grill are able to work together.

A gas grill would need fuel which could come from a natural gas line or from a propane tank. The older types of tanks are basically just fuel tanks with a valve. The newer ones have built-in safety regulators that can limit the flow of propane to the grill.

The output of the propane tank is much greater than what is actually needed for grilling. The regulator controls the amount of fuel that can flow to the grill. It attaches to the tank by a flexible hose with an O-ring thus creating an airtight seal. Regulators are preset by manufacturers and should not be adjusted by anyone except those authorized to do it. A small vent hole can be found at the center of the regulator. Clogging of vent holes causing an irregular fuel flow is the most common problem. This problem can usually be remedied by clearing it through tapping or blowing into the vent. Another possible problem is fuel leakage caused by worn or damaged hose or O-ring.

Even when not in use, the tank has to be connected and on but the control valves off. Control valves control the flow of fuel to the burner and consist of several components that are specifically designed on a number of factors. Grills can either have one or several of these valves. Inside the control valve is the orifice which actually controls the flow of fuel to avoid the risk of explosion.

The Venturi tubes connect the control valve to the burner/s and mix the fuel with air to provide flame. An open gap exists in the fuel line which can easily become obstructed by insects. These tubes can possibly be misaligned as they can easily get knocked out of place. Regular inspection ensures that everything is in its proper place.

Burners come in varied shapes, sizes and materials depending on the type of grill. The material would determine its durability. Low-end models have aluminized steel burners while high-end ones have cast brass burners. It is the part that tends to get coated the most in burnt grease as it is inside the grill. Damaged and heavily corroded burners would have to be replaced.

The barrier is what is found between the burner and the cooking grate. Some people call it radiant because is it supposed to absorb and release heat evenly to the cooking surface. Most importantly however, is that it protects the burners from drippings and create a place for grease to collect and burn-off. This can either be lava rocks, ceramic briquettes or metal plates.