My propane tank is full, but I get low flame and it takes forever even to get to 300 degrees

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My propane tank is full, but I get low flame and it takes forever even to get to 300 degrees

Sometimes it works great other times the flame is low on all 4 burners and has trouble heating up. Outside temperatures run from 60°F to 25°F

Paul's Note: - My original answer is below but if you are reading this out of interest at a later date then check the comments below because there's some interesting ideas from our fellow readers together with the actual solution to this particular problem.

Answer:-

The boiling point of propane is −44°F (−42°C) so unless you have a severe winter you have gas. That's not your problem.

It would appear from what you've told me that the problem you have is the flow of gas and there's three things that I would check:-

Are your burners clogged up? They can get blocked if you've had a lot of fat dripping onto them. Given that you have the problem with all four burners at the same time then this is probably the least likely answer.
Check your regulator because it's the regulator that controls the flow of gas. Are you sure it's a propane regulator? Is it an old regulator? If you have any doubt or concern, get another regulator, they're not expensive.
Check the faucet on the tank. This is purely mechanical so highly unlikely to be faulty but just check that you can turn it on an off. Note when turning a tank faucet on, turn it completely on the back off half a turn, that way you minimize the risk of the faucet getting frozen in the on position.

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My propane tank is full, but I get low flame and it takes forever even to get to 300 degrees

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Jun 26, 2011
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low flame after changing empty tank during grilling
by: Rick M / Denton TX

Booyah Dean and 'Anonymous'!! Your remedy worked like a charm! Yep, Dean, your explanation regarding the excessively regulating "smart regulator" corroborates with what happened to me:

1. ran out of gas while grilling
2. changed tank without turning off burners (booooo).
3. changed tanks
4. attempted to re-light
5. gas flow to burners severely restricted

When I shut burners and main valve down, unattached hose, reattached hose - all worked fine.

Kudos.

Mar 28, 2011
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low flow gas from tank
by: Anonymous

I have had this many times.
It's simple to fix and will cost you about $20

Disconnect the regulator (This applies to the "new
style connection over the inlet" or QCC1) This never happened to the old style. Inspect the inlet nipple to see if it can be unscrewed from the regulator - some are not threaded. If your brass nipple has threaded end at the regulator side, go to a Propane specialist and buy the old style parts to enable you to have the type that screws into rather than over the tank.

PROBLEM SOLVED GUARANTEED!

Jan 17, 2011
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Tank slow to get gas to BBQ
by: Anonymous

I've had the same problem - its my tank and the valve / fitting that screws into the tank.

Try removing the gas fitting that screws into the tank - clean both sides - towel or blow air in there and reinstall the fitting into the tank.

If it still happens exchange the tank with a new one @ the exchange gas places.

Jan 16, 2011
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This is a common air lock problem
by: Anonymous

I have this all the time, easy fix. Turn off everything. Disconnect the propane tank from the BBQ at the tank. Re-attach the tank, then always do in the following order.

Turn on the tank, turn on the first/one burner and light.
Wait a few seconds and then light the second and so on.

I have actually had to do this a couple of times, but it always does clear. It helps to turn off the burners first, and then to turn off the tank.

Happy Grilling!

Jan 15, 2011
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Thank you
by: Ray

Thanks, I will try that, a lot of times I turn the gas off at the tank and leave one or more of the burners on so it will burn off any gas. I will make sure their off next time I light it. Again thanks for all the ideas.

Jan 15, 2011
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Excessive Flow Regulator
by: Dean

All propane tanks built in the last years have an excessive flow regulator. If it senses a leak in your system it dramatically reduces the flow out of the tank. This often happens if you have a burner in the on position when you open the propane tank.

First thing is to turn everything off meaning the tank and the burners.

Open the propane tank first.

Then turn on the burner you want to light.

Utilize the starter.

Then open the other burners.

This seems to be the most common problem my friends have had with gas grills.

Hope this helps.

Dean

Jan 15, 2011
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propane tanks
by: Anonymous

The tanks themselves can go bad I have been told, a good propane dealer can check them out.

Also if its real cold out side the tank pressure drops. I have put mine in a bucket of hot water,and it helps I doubt that this is considered good practice though.

If you have a good tank keep it don't take a chance at an exchange place. The tanks hold 20#s the dealer fills them to 20 not the 15 to 18#s you get at the tank exchange..

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My propane tank is full, but I get low flame and it takes forever even to get to 300 degrees

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My propane tank is full, but I get low flame and it takes forever even to get to 300 degrees