I assembled my new gas grill, but I'm not sure if the burner pipes (aka venturi) are properly connected to the valves. My assembly matches the picture in the instruction manual, but I'm not sure if the seal is tight enough. How do I know? Do I attach the propane and test? I'm concerned about the safety of doing so. Thanks!
The connection between the valves and the burner are always a loose fit on an average gas grill. The regulator controls the pressure of the propane between the tank and the valves. The valves control the flow of gas. The propane leaving the valve is forced through a tiny orifice as it exits. This tiny orifice serves two purposes. It increases the pressure and velocity of the escaping gas, which helps speed it in the right direction. This, in turn, sets up the venturi effect. The venturi effect is a fancy way of saying that the system, from the valves to the burner, is designed to pull in air. There are usually little rectangular shaped vents in the burner tubes located where the burner tube connects with the valve. These vents allow air to be drawn into the system in order to ensure that the propane has enough oxygen to obtain complete combustion. Too much air is better than not enough. The second purpose of the orifice in the valve is that it doesn't allow the flame to travel back down the line toward the tank. The orifice is to small to allow enough oxygen to be sucked in to the closed part of the system to support combustion. Very good safety feature. Plus, the propane exiting the valve, even on high, is so minimal that a roaring fire from just the flow from the valves is improbable, maybe impossible. Gas grills are safe. People are dangerous. The main thing is to make sure you see a flame somewhere within the first 2 to 3 seconds after turning the valves to on. If you don't see any flame after 2 to 3 seconds, turn the valves to off, give the grill a chance to air out. You can even fan it with a newspaper or something. You just want to ensure that you are never trying to light propane that has had a chance to build up and mix with oxygen. After airing the grill out, either figure out what the problem is or try lighting it again. They aren't that complicated. Go ahead and get that grill fired up. The kids are hungry. Hope this helped.
Brush on some soapy water solution around all fittings and turn on the tank. If your not comfortable with it wait and have someone else check it out.
You should call the customer service number on the paperwork that should have came with the grill.
