October 10, 2024, 10:36 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Barbecuing is one of many people’s favorite summer pastimes. Although many people swear by charcoal barbecues, you can also achieve good results with a gas barbecue. However, you should check them thoroughly before using them for the first time.
A gas barbecue has many advantages: less smoke when firing up, quicker getting started, and less mess at the end. However, gas barbecues are not entirely without danger. Although the risk of a leak is low, you should still check your gas barbecue regularly. As a general rule, there should be no sources of ignition or naked flames nearby during the check. Here, you can find out what other mistakes you should avoid when checking your gas barbecue.
1st mistake: Leaking gas hose
Over the years, hoses can become porous. The result is tiny cracks that are invisible to the eye. A particularly thorough check is necessary if the barbecue has spent the winter outdoors without protection. “A gas hose with porous areas or hairline cracks should be replaced immediately,” says Markus Lau, technical expert at the German Liquid Gas Association (DVFG). The same also applies to the pressure regulator. The connection valves should be free of particles or other foreign bodies.
2nd mistake: The ten-year period has expired
“The recognized rules of technology stipulate that gas hoses and pressure regulators on gas barbecues must be replaced after ten years at the latest,” explains Markus Lau. The correct time for replacement can often be determined by the yellow tag that is attached to many gas hoses. The replacement year is noted on this tag.
But what should you do if the tag is missing? In this case, the imprint on the gas hose can help. Hoses manufactured in 2014 must be replaced by the end of this year; older models must be replaced immediately. This also applies to gas pressure regulators.
3rd mistake: The gas cylinder and barbecue are connected incorrectly
Before starting a barbecue, you should check whether the gas cylinder and gas barbecue are connected correctly. To do this, first remove the valve protection – usually a red protective cap – from the cylinder valve. Then, unscrew the black locking nut from the cylinder thread. As this is a left-hand thread, the nut is unscrewed clockwise.
Before connecting the pressure regulator, check that the sealing ring of the cylinder valve is in place and that the valve of the gas cylinder is closed. Now, connect the pressure regulator to the barbecue via the gas hose.
It is best to tighten the union nut by hand or with an assembly aid specially made for this purpose. Connecting with pliers can damage the seal. Even if the gas barbecue and gas cylinder have been permanently connected over the winter, you should check the connections before the barbecue season starts.
How can you tell whether the gas cylinder and gas barbecue are connected correctly?
“The tightness of the connections can be checked with a leak detection spray, for example,” explains Markus Lau. “To do this, spray the connections and then open the valve on the gas cylinder. If bubbles form and it hisses, the connections are leaking. In this case, reconnect the pressure regulator.” Alternatively, you can also try using soapy water.
4th mistake: The gas cylinder is damaged
Gas cylinders can be damaged during the winter break – especially disposable cartridges. It is essential to check the valve and surface for visible damage.
5th mistake: Dirty barbecue
Thorough cleaning of the barbecue is the top priority at the start of the barbecue season. Here’s how:
- Close the lid and set the temperature to the highest level. This releases excess fat and grill residue from the previous year and turns it into smoke.
- As soon as this has dissipated, switch off the grill and allow it to cool down.
- Then, remove ash and soot residues from the grill and cover using a suitable grill brush.
- Then, clean the inside of the grill as well as the outer cladding and the grease drip tray.
Properly cleaning the barbecue and grill
“Use only water and dish soap for cleaning. “Avoid aggressive cleaning agents or abrasive cleaners as they could damage the surfaces,” Lau advises. “Thorough drying after cleaning prevents rust from forming.”
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6th mistake: Ignoring yellow flames on the gas barbecue
After checking the hoses and valves, you should also connect everything correctly and start a “test run.” If an opening on the gas barbecue is clogged with grease, the escaping flame will glow yellowish. Propane gas normally burns in a blue flame. Use a small wire brush to remove grease from the openings.