When it’s summertime, nothing can beat the fun that a backyard barbecue brings. If you are a barbecue enthusiast, like us, you must be having a superior quality grilling unit at your place. Whether you use a charcoal grill, electric grill, gas smoker, or pellet smoker, it’s a good investment to help you enjoy your favorite smoky meals. But do you take your time to maintain your grill machine? It’s vital to take good care of your grilling machine to offer it maximum utility while making it last longer.
However, even good maintenance and care cannot guarantee effortless grilling. It is quite normal to face some other problems while using a BBQ grilling machine, depending on its type and model. But if you know the ways to fix those problems, you can save a lot of your time and money on repairs later on.
Also Read: Things To Keep in Mind When Igniting a Charcoal Grill
Here are the five common problems that often occur with BBQ grilling devices and easy solutions to fix those issues:
1. Gas Grill Refuses To Ignite
If your gas grill is refusing to ignite, it may happen due to your igniter. Generally, gas grills come with battery-powered piezo-electric igniters or push-button igniters. So, it is very common for them to run out of batteries after a few uses. You must check whether your igniter is generating a spark or not. You may use the igniter by pulling off the barrier and cooking grates. Therefore, you may expose the burners.
For this, you need to figure out the right position of your igniter while pushing the button for ignition. There must be a click sound or a little spark when the gas grill has push-button or piezo-electric igniters. What if the igniter gets jammed? In this care, you need to clean it and recheck whether it’s working. You also need to change the batteries. If it still doesn’t work, consider replacing it with a new one.
2. Choosing a wrong grilling technique
There are several ways to cook meat and veggies on a grill, which can be hard to understand at times. For instance, gas and charcoal grills are very common. But pellet and electric grills are also common nowadays. And, their functioning rules are different depending on their type.
However, as a rule of thumb, you need to know that a charcoal grill is quite hands-on compared to a gas grill. But charcoal has quite inconsistent heat depending on the fuel you add. So, you must know how to use direct and indirect heating techniques on this charcoal grill to get the best results. But if you are a new grillmaster, it’s best to go for a gas grill.
3. Flame Extinguishes Repeatedly
If your grill’s flame has been extinguished repeatedly, it may be due to three major issues. First, you need to see whether the grill is preheated well for proper flame ignition. After that, make sure that the tubes properly connect the control valve to the burner. This will ensure that these are positioned right over the valve’s orifice.
Finally, you have to check whether the tubes are clear, clean, and blockage-free. If the flame doesn’t stay still, then you might need to replace or repair the igniter with a professional technician.
4. Uneven Cooking on a Grill
A blocked burner is the major culprit when a grill doesn’t cook evenly. It is a common issue due to drippings that clog the ports, as well as burners’ sides. So, you need to check the burners to make sure they produce a flame. You need to use a wired brush for removing any deposits for promoting better gas flow.
If you have a commercial cooking appliance, it’s vital to ensure that you practice safe habits while fixing a malfunctioned grill. Make sure to turn off the tank valve, disconnect the grill, and let everything cool down before beginning the repair. If you are in doubt, it’s best to call a service technician for helping you with the concerns.
5. Grill Producing Black Smoke
If your grill is releasing unusual smoke, particularly black smoke, it means that it needs cleaning. The excessive grease buildup in the grill not only smogs the kitchen but also form a black coating on food. If black smoke is ruining your grilling efforts, you need to properly clean it and then preheat your grill for around 15 minutes.
It will help in burning unnecessary residue from before. However, if that black smoke still comes, you need to clean and check the air shutters and venturi tubes to ensure it produces a better gas-to-air blend.
Conclusion
These are the five common grilling issues that users often face while using BBQ grills. Regular checkups and maintenance are vital for determining all such problems and fixing them. But if nothing seems to work for you, you need to consider consulting professionals for help.