Not Enough Gas Pressure in a Propane Grill

Line Leak Problems

• A line leak occurs when there is a crack or pinhole in the line leading from your propane tank to the burner on your grill. If your flame is low and only yellow in color, a link leak could be the issue. Coat your line with soapy water and watch to see if you can spot any continuous bubbles that signify a leak. It is this leak that is lowering your gas pressure. Fix the leak and your grill should go back to normal operation.

Regulator Issues

• The regulator is the primary valve on your propane tank that manages the original flow of gas. This regulator is primarily responsible for gas pressure as it exits at your burners. Sometimes, regulators can malfunction or become stuck, lowering pressure. Turn off the gas, unscrew the line, open your burn valves wide and wait a couple minutes. Connect everything again and then try to light the grill. If this does not work, you may need to buy a new regulator.

Automatic Protection Issues

• Your propane tank also has a safety valve that will shut down if it senses a leak or loose connection in the supply line. Sometimes, not turning a burner fully off can cause the safety valve to trip. If there is no leak or loose-fit problem, follow the same procedures for the regulator issue and see if the safety valve opens again. If your grill uses batteries or electrical power, reset them as well to try to switch the valve back off.

Filling Problems

• If all else fails, the problem may lie with your propane tank itself. If the tank was filled improperly, it may have air trapped inside of it, keeping it from operating at the correct pressure. This will typically last only a hour or so before the air is released and the gas pressure become normal again.