Cottage Q&A
QUESTIONRecently, I had a scary barbecue experience. After lighting the grill, I moved to turn up the heat and found flames coming out of the barbecue around the dial. What caused this and how do I prevent it?
ANSWER
It sounds like there is a blockage preventing the gas from flowing evenly from the control knobs to the burner, says Joel Waisglass, president of Sobie's Barbecues in Toronto. Although it may be caused by a defective valve, the most likely culprit is a spider. They climb inside the venturi tubes that transmit gas or propane to the burner. A venturi tube is a lovely home for a spider because it's a dark, enclosed space. But when the spider spins its silk and plugs the hole to protect itself, you are in for a potential eyebrow scorching, or worse.
A good solution is a venturi tube cleaner (cost: about $7). "It's basically an 18-inch toothbrush with a flexible wire head," says Waisglass. In the spring, before you start your grill for the season, insert the brush into each venturi tube and twist it around, which should solve the problem. You may have to disconnect the burner to get to them, depending on the make and model of your barbecue. It's probably a good idea to clear out the venturi tubes regularly throughout the summer, too, particularly at the cottage where spiders abound. And while you're at it, check the status of your burner, Waisglass advises. A season's worth of delicious marinade, sauce, and fat drippings can clog the holes in it, preventing the gas from flowing properly, which can result in a fire.
Unclogging burner holes is simple: just regularly rub them down with a steel wire brush. An accumulation of oily gunk in the drip pan might also set off a grease fire, adds Dave Burt of Ontario Gas BBQ in Concord, Ont., popping the dials right off the barbecue and seizing the valves.
* Published in the June 2006 issue of Cottage Life
