Why is my outdoor kitchen grill burner not lighting?

A grill burner that will not light is almost always missing one of three things: gas, a spark, or a clear path for the gas and air to mix. The first two often have simple causes. The third, and anything involving the gas line or a gas smell, is work for a qualified technician.

Safety first

If a burner does not light, Lynx's manual says to turn off all gas control knobs, open the hood and wait five minutes before trying again.^[2] The U.S. Fire Administration's rule is short: "Open your gas grill before lighting".^[3]

If you smell gas at any point, stop. Do not keep clicking the igniter.

No gas reaching the burner

This is the most common cause, especially on a new install or after the grill has sat.

• The supply is off or empty. The shut-off valve for a hard-piped grill may be closed, or a propane cylinder may be empty or its valve shut. Lynx's manual says all gas lines must have a shut-off that is readily and easily accessible, and the installer should show you where it is.^[2]
• The regulator tripped. Lynx notes that the gas valve has to be opened slowly on a new hookup so it does not trip the regulator.^[1] A tripped regulator lets through too little gas to light.
• The lighting sequence. Many grills need the knob pressed and held while gas reaches the burner. Lynx's instructions are to push the knob straight in and hold it for 5 to 7 seconds before turning it to light.^[1] Your manual gives the sequence for your model.

No spark

Built-in grills with electronic ignition need power, and makers such as Lynx call for a GFI-protected outlet.^[2]

• The outlet. Lynx's troubleshooting guide says to check whether the GFI outlet needs to be reset, and to call an electrician if a reset does not work.^[1] An outlet that keeps tripping needs an electrician to find out why.
• Damaged wires. The same guide warns about rodents chewing wires at the back of a grill that sat unused for a month or more.^[1] Chewed wiring is a servicer's repair.
• Heat damage. Wind can also be a cause: Lynx's manual says damage from use in windy conditions, such as melted knobs or igniter wires, or control panel discoloration from heat buildup, is excluded from warranty coverage.^[2] Melted knobs or igniter wires are the signs.

A blocked or misplaced burner

If gas is flowing and the igniter works, something is likely in the way. Lynx's manual is blunt: "Spiders and insects like to nest in the burners, venturis, valves and orifices of a grill, disrupting the gas flow".^[2] It calls this a very dangerous condition that can cause a fire behind the control panel,^[2] and grills that sat over winter are the usual victims. Burner ports can also clog with food or residue.^[1]

A burner also has to sit in the right place: the orifice must sit in the center of the burner's venturi,^[1] or the gas misses the burner. A burner can be left out of position after cleaning.

Problems in the gas supply

Some failures come from how the grill was hooked up, and they show up as no light, weak flames or burners that go out.

• The wrong regulator. According to Lynx, a grill hard-piped to propane can be starved of gas if it still has the regulator made for a portable bottle.^[1]
• A fuel conversion. When a grill is converted between natural gas and propane, both the regulator and the orifices have to be changed.^[1]
• An undersized or long line. Lynx notes that longer distances and turns or tees in the line can reduce gas pressure at the grill,^[1] and that a side burner teed off the same line can leave the grill double regulated.^[1]

These need a pressure test at the grill and changes to the gas fittings, which is licensed work.

If you smell gas

Lynx's manual says that if you smell gas, shut everything off and have a qualified plumber check for leaks,^[2] and adds: "Never check for gas leaks with an open flame".^[2] Propane needs extra care around an island, because propane is heavier than air and may accumulate in low spaces^[4] such as the cabinet under the grill. For a strong smell or a suspected line leak, Columbia Gas of Virginia tells its customers to leave the area, then call 911 and its emergency line at 1-800-544-5606 from a safe place.^[5] What to do if you smell gas covers the steps in more detail.

When to call a licensed pro

Call the grill maker's authorized servicer or a qualified gas technician when the burner still will not light after the simple checks, when a burner or venturi is blocked, when the igniter does not spark, when the grill was recently converted or hooked up, or whenever you smell gas. For low gas pressure, Lynx says to call a certified gas plumber or authorized Lynx servicer to take pressures at the grill manifold and the inlet.^[1]

In Virginia, gas fitting is a regulated trade under DPOR's Tradesmen Program, which notes that state certification of these trades is mandatory, not optional.^[6] The Code of Virginia defines a liquefied petroleum gas fitter's work as the installation, repair, improvement, alterations or removal of piping, liquefied petroleum gas tanks and appliances.^[7] A tripping outlet or damaged circuit is a job for a licensed electrician.

Tell the technician the model number, the fuel, whether the igniter sparks, whether other burners light, and when the problem started. Browse grill repair businesses, outdoor kitchen businesses, plumbers in Blacksburg, or more concrete and hardscaping answers. How to winterize an outdoor kitchen explains how to keep the grill ready for spring.

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