Hi Flame Issues

by Lisa
(Michigan)

Everytime I barbecue, the flames shoot up real high. I've tried keeping it at the lowest setting. I've tried toning down the propane once started. I've cleaned it out from all debris that builds up inside. I almost had a fire due to this had I not been outside. Within seconds, the flames were shooting so high I had to put it out with bucket of water..

I have a Charbroil gas barbecue Grill, approx. $120.00 from Home Depot.

I don't want to purchase a new one and don't believe that I should as it does work. Something though is not right...

Any suggestions as to why this would be and what I could do?

Answer:-

Without seeing you grill it's difficult to say whether there is something fundamentally wrong with your grill however there are a few things that you can check:

1. Are you using the correct fuel source? If your grill is designed for mains gas, you cannot run it on mains propane because they run at different pressures.
   
2. If running on tank gas, have you go the correct regulator for propane? You need a different regulator if you are burning butane for example.

When on a low setting before you put food on are you getting excessive flame? If so then this could be the problem and may point to either of the above issues or perhaps something wrong with your grill. The flames should heat the grill plates and not make contact with the food.

After that, if everything looks OK, maybe it's because you are cooking food with a high fat content or has it been marinaded in olive oil? Try grilling a skinless chicken breast and see if you still get flames.

Fill a killer-spray with unsweetened apple juice and when you get flames spray a little on the chicken. Not only will it dampen down the flames, it'll keep the chicken moist and give it a caramelized flavor thanks to the natural sugars in the apple juice.

See Also:-

Barbecue Tips
Barbecue Grill Comparisons
Outdoor Kitchen Barbecue Islands
Tabletop Gas Grill

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