Common Issues for Propane Grill Tanks

Troubleshooting Tips for Your Grill’s Propane Cylinder

Propane remains an overwhelmingly popular grilling fuel, and it’s easy to see why. You can almost always count on it to produce a strong, easily adjustable, and clean-burning flame. The cylinders that store your propane are also built with durability, portability, and, above all, safety in mind.

Even so, it’s important to know how to respond if your grill tank isn’t operating the way it normally does. Here are some potential issues a propane grill tank may display and how to handle each one.

Is Your Cylinder Hissing?

A hissing sound coming from your propane tank usually means internal pressure has climbed too high. Fortunately, cylinders are built with a pressure relief valve that automatically releases gas once pressure exceeds a safe level.

If you hear hissing while grilling, turn off the grill and give the tank time to stabilize. Once pressure normalizes, the valve will close on its own, and the hissing should stop.

Checking for a Propane Leak

Anytime you connect a cylinder to your grill, it’s worth running a quick leak check. Mix a 50/50 solution of dish soap and water in a spray bottle, then spray it along the valve, regulator, and hose connections. Open the tank valve and watch closely. If bubbles form, gas is likely escaping. Close the valve and tighten the connections, then retest. If bubbles continue to appear, the hose, regulator, or cylinder may need to be replaced.

Determining How Much Propane Is Left

Not sure how much fuel remains in your tank? A few simple methods can help. Some grills have a built-in scale that estimates remaining propane. If yours doesn’t, you can:

Weigh the cylinder on a household scale and deduct the tare weight, or TW, which is the weight of an empty container. Both TW and water capacity, or WC, are marked on the tank’s neck.
Use the hot water method. Pour warm water down the side of the tank and feel for where the metal shifts from warm to cool, which marks the approximate fuel line.
Purchase an external tank gauge. These devices are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

Why Your Grill Won’t Light

If your grill won’t ignite, a few common culprits are usually to blame:

Clogged burner ports, often caused by food residue or debris, can be cleared with a brush or toothpick while the grill is off.
A weak or unresponsive igniter may just need fresh batteries, or it could require repair.
Venturi tubes can also become blocked by insects or debris after a grill has sat unused, so a small bottle brush can help clear the path.
Check that your propane cylinder valve is fully open and that the tank does not need a refill.

Roach Energy: The Grill Fuel Provider of Choice in the Eastern Panhandle

When your tank needs a refill, Roach Energy is proud to be the go-to grill fuel provider for grillers throughout Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, WV, and the surrounding Eastern Panhandle communities. Our refilling and exchange options in the region are both affordable and safety-focused so that you can fuel up with confidence.

You can rest assured that any cylinder you receive at one of our exchanges has been thoroughly inspected and safety-vetted before it reaches your hands.

Contact Roach Energy today to find your nearest refill or exchange location and get back to grilling with total peace of mind.