Outdoor BBQ/Grills - Gas
Burner Systems

Burner Construction
Burners come in a variety of shapes, styles and materials and are referred to by their shape as viewed from the top. The most common is the H-Burner which is shaped like the letter H, the oval burner is oval shaped and the bar burner in the shape of a long thin bar.

The type of burner your grill should have is a major decision that many overlook when purchasing a high-end grill.

Combustion air holes molded into the bottom of the castings follow the actual contour of the burner, replacement burners must be of the same shape and configuration as the original.

The most common burners are made from sheet metal and in the shaped like the letter H, the oval burner is oval shaped and the bar burner in the shape of a long thin bar.

Note:
       single-burner grills should have the burners in an "H" shape, not an "Oval"
       The "H" burners spread the heat out more evenly across the expanse of the grill.
       Whereas oval shaped burners tend to heat only down the center of the grill.

Heat Distribution
Because heat is spread out across the cooking grate, a large grill with a high BTU rating will cook at a similar temperature to a smaller grill with lower BTU rating.

More important than total BTU's or how hot a grill actually gets, is the ability of a grill to reach and sustain cooking temperatures. To ensure the best cooking performance, look for burner controls that permit specialized cooking.

When choosing a grill look for burners with separate, individual controls for the greatest flexibility when cooking.

Burner Life Expectancy
The burner is the heart of your grill and should be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis (several times a season depending on usage) in order to keep your grill effective, efficient and in safe operating condition. Consult your owners manual for proper cleaning instructions.

Burners should be easy to remove, clean and reinstall. The easiest to remove is the type that lifts out without the need for tools. If the burners are bolted or strapped in place removal will be difficult.

The burner is operating properly when the burner flame burns evenly around the perimeter of the burner at all control settings. Uneven flame height, a yellow or flickering flame, and uneven heat distribution are all signs that the burner needs cleaning or replacing.

Propane and natural gas contain trace amounts of water, which can cause burners to rust. Cast stainless steel or cast brass burners, will not rust. All other burner materials are subject to rusting.

Burn Through
When the burner is lit, the heat from the flame creates a vacuum inside the burner and sucks the gas out, which feeds the flame. When the gas is turned off and the flame extinguished, the vacuum reverses inside the burner, creating an audible 'pop' when the grill is turned off.

This reverse vacuum can suck in burned and partially burned particles surrounding the burner. When the grill is turned on again, these particles ignite inside of the burner, creating 'hot spots' which can disturb the gas flow and literally burn holes in the burner.

If you purchase a grill with a Sheet Metal, or a Cast Iron/Cast Iron Composite burner, you will replace the burners at some point due to burn-through. The more often you grill, the more often you will replace the burner. The more expensive the grill, the more difficult the replacement.

In addition, the burner ports on the side of these burners are exposed to grease drippings, and food particles, which can clog the ports and speed up the burn-through process.

Cast stainless steel or cast brass burners, will not burn through or rust. These burners are thick, and are designed with a protective ridge, so that drippings cannot contact the ports. The warranty on these burners generally covers burn-through as well as rust-through, twisting, warping and any other problems normally associated with grill burners.

Venturi Tubes
Venturi tubes are tubes that extend from the burner to the control valves, with openings at the ends to allow air to mix with the gas as it leaves the control valve.

Typically they are fitted with moveable shutters that allow for air mixture adjustment, and with spider guards or small screening to discourage spiders and insects from entering when the weather gets colder to build nests or spin webs inside the tubes.

These nests can obstruct gas flow and cause a fire in and around the valve at the control panel, causing serious injury and/or damage to your grill. To help prevent a blockage and ensure full heat output, clean and inspect venturi tubes as recommended in the owners' manual..

Ignitors/Start buttons
When the gas is turned on at the control knob it begins to flow to the burner and escapes through the burner ports. As the gas escapes it accumulates in the collector box and is ignited by an electric spark generated when the igniter push-button is activated. These igniter systems are highly dependable and should provide several years of dependable performance.

Controls/Valves/Knobs
The best grills have at least two or more separately controlled burners (not just control knobs).

Controls for each burner give you the ability to grill by the direct (open flame) or Indirect method (radiant). The burners should be spaced to provide heat across the entire cooking grate.

Burner valves should have infinite control settings. If the knobs are pre-set for low, medium, and high, you'll be limited to those temperatures.

If the instructions or other information on the grill knobs are applied with stickers or are painted on, they might fade or wear off and leave you guessing about the heat settings. Better grills have instructions fired onto the paint finish, and will never fade or scratch off.

How to Size a Gas Grill

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