How to Clean your Burner and Venturi


It’s a messy, but important job.

Regular cleaning will help your burner and venturi to last longer – because of the very high heat a burner is exposed to; salts, fats, and basting solutions that fall on it will wear it out.

In order to clean the burner and venturi you must remove the cooking grids, briquettes/rocks, grate, and finally the burner from the grill.

Preparation:

  • Spread some newspaper down to lay the gas grill parts on
  • Remove and set the cooking grids on this paper
  • Move the briquettes towards the center and away from the edges of the coal grate. This way you can lift the grate and lava rock or briquettes out together and set it on the newspaper
  • Remove the burner
    – The burner may or may not be locked to the bottom housing. If not, simply pull the venturi tubes away from the valves and gas jets (also called orifices) and lift out.

    – If the burner is secured, look for a spring dip, cotter pin, or a stud with a wing nut holding the burner to the bottom

    – If your grill is equipped with an ignitor and collector box attached to the burner, the wire must be also disconnected before burner removal

Cleaning your Venturi:

IMPORTANT! It’s extremely important to clean the venturi tubes of any obstructions such as spider webs, etc. This is most important at the start of the grilling season or any other time the grill has not been used for a while. A small web can block the gas flow and cause poor burner performance or a flash back fire.

  • A venturi brush should be used to clean the venturi tubes.
    – Special care should be taken to make sure the brush passes through any curve in the venturi tube.
  • You may also flush out the tubes with a strong flow of water from a garden hose.

TIP: A garden hose is a great way to check if the holes are clogged. Pay attention to how the water exits the burner port holes.

  • If the venturi tubes are rusted and broken up, then you will need new tubes or a new burner (depending on the assembly of your gas grill).

Cleaning your Burner:

Clogged holes can cause a grill to have hot and cold spots, which not only make it difficult to cook evenly, but also increases the chance of a shattering your glass window.

  • Check out the burner’s gas outlet ports around it’s perimeter for splits or separations of the top and bottom halves. A burner damaged this bad needs replacement, if no obvious external damage is present you can continue to clean the grill.

  • Brush the outer parts of the burner with a wire brush, especially the ports.
  • Using a flexible wire, an open paper clip, or a drill bit, probe each port to clear it of grime and rust.

    Caution: Do not use anything larger in diameter that the port itself, this will cause damage to the burning operations of your grill.

  • Now, lightly tap the burner, this will help cause any of the residue to fall out of the ports and tubes

Too many excessively obstructed ports that you cannot clear is a sign to replace the burner.

If you can clear the ports and the previous inspection and cleaning processes did not indicate burner failure, we can continue:

  • Check the gas jets at the end of the valves for spider webs, dirt, or dust. Clean them if necessary.
  • Assuming that the valves are turning and you have gas, the burner should be reinstalled into your grill and tested.

TIP: While you have the bottom of the aluminum casting exposed, take the opportunity to clean it the best you can by removing any gunk out with a putty knife, garden tool, etc.

Replacing your burner:

You should consider buying “better than original” cast iron burners. Cast iron burners heat up and become their own heat radiant source, cooking your food better. They also have a longer life span than stainless steel burners because of their heavy construction.

Are you ready for a shocker? Average grill quality you would buy in stores is actually declining! Each year grills are produced to meet a lower and lower price point. Quality is shaved off year after year. Burners are now aluminized steel no longer stainless steel, stampings replace heavy castings, large windows replace solid lids because glass is cheaper than aluminum. Gas grills produced 5, 10, or 15 years ago are actually worth 2 to 10 times or more than the original list price! Very few of the “bells & whistles” on newer grills are practical and can be added as accessories.

Finding Your Model and Manufacturer:

  • Look for the label that is required by the American Gas Association that will list the model number, manufacturer, and the type of gas specified for use. This label should be near the controls, or on the cart.
  • The location of this tag is generally on the body of the frame at ground level, it should be approximately at ankle height. However, if it is a built in grill the tag will most likely be on the post of your grill.
  • Additionally, you may also measure it from left to right, front to back.

    • You may order parts by browsing through our catalog or searching our site.

  • The venturi tubes should also be measured if you cannot find the label information.

    • – If the venturi tube has a bent mixer or a slope in it, then measure from the top to the center line of the tube, after the bend, and from the end to the center line of the tube. If dealing with a straight tube, just measure from top to bottom.

April 17th, 2010

Posted In: BBQ Maintenance