Weak first burner, Can't work out why. Options

[missvee79]

I have recently inherited a 3 burner gas grill (manufacturer Homebase, model Valencia) and the instructions (this is a safety / warning label on the front of the grill, I don't have an instruction booklet but I have emailed homebase) state to light from left to right.

When I light the first burner on the left, the first couple of inches light, and the rest lights intermittently. If I blew across the burner (don't know if that was a good idea or not!!) the whole thing lit up, but if I wasn't blowing, it would go back to the first couple of inches, and even that would blow out in a light breeze.

The other two burners light fine and stay lit, but the instructions say you can't have a burner lit if the burner to its left is unlit.

I have checked the holes, and they aren't blocked. I have looked up information about checking the burner tubes for blockages, but I don't think this is the problem as the burner is capable of lighting, and I also can't find any diagrams that relate to burners that look like mine.

I really hope someone can help me with this, I want to fix it!!!

[NapaGrill]

I have recently inherited a 3 burner gas grill (manufacturer Homebase, model Valencia) and the instructions (this is a safety / warning label on the front of the grill, I don't have an instruction booklet but I have emailed homebase) state to light from left to right.

When I light the first burner on the left, the first couple of inches light, and the rest lights intermittently. If I blew across the burner (don't know if that was a good idea or not!!) the whole thing lit up, but if I wasn't blowing, it would go back to the first couple of inches, and even that would blow out in a light breeze.

The other two burners light fine and stay lit, but the instructions say you can't have a burner lit if the burner to its left is unlit.

I have checked the holes, and they aren't blocked. I have looked up information about checking the burner tubes for blockages, but I don't think this is the problem as the burner is capable of lighting, and I also can't find any diagrams that relate to burners that look like mine.

I really hope someone can help me with this, I want to fix it!!!

sounds like some spiders have set up home inside the burner tube(s). Have you pulled the burner and inspected at that level?

run a coat hanger or wire through the burner is possible.

[missvee79]

sounds like some spiders have set up home inside the burner tube(s). Have you pulled the burner and inspected at that level?

run a coat hanger or wire through the burner is possible.

Havent pulled it yet because I can pretty much see that there's nothing in there when I look through the holes...(!) As I said the diagrams I have found don't look like my burners, but will have a go!!!

Ta muchly.

missvee79

[missvee79]

Here is a pic of the burners....It is just screwed on at one end. Just unscrew it?? and give it a clean? There doesnt seem to be any other fixing at the other end....

[Ronald]

Here is a pic of the burners....It is just screwed on at one end. Just unscrew it?? and give it a clean? There doesnt seem to be any other fixing at the other end....

Yes
Just unscrew it and use a metal coat hanger.
Now matter how hard you try, you really cant see a spider web inside of your burner.
Your burer could also have rust inside of it.

Have you found a manual for your grill yet ?

[missvee79]

Yes
Just unscrew it and use a metal coat hanger.
Now matter how hard you try, you really cant see a spider web inside of your burner.
Your burer could also have rust inside of it.

Have you found a manual for your grill yet ?

Still no manual.... Homebase have not got back to me yet, but I am on the case.....You're advice of a new grill seems more and more likely all the time....but I am determined. Want a gazebo and cant have both!!! It is hammering it down at the moment so I am just waiting for it to calm down and will have a go. But having looked, just getting the screw out looks like it will be a job....rusty old beast.

Thanks again for your help.

[missvee79]

Still no manual.... Homebase have not got back to me yet, but I am on the case.....You're advice of a new grill seems more and more likely all the time....but I am determined. Want a gazebo and cant have both!!! It is hammering it down at the moment so I am just waiting for it to calm down and will have a go. But having looked, just getting the screw out looks like it will be a job....rusty old beast.

Thanks again for your help.

Just broke a screwdriver trying to get the screw out....the bolt on the bottom is rusted/welded; you would think this would be easier to remove, but no, it is now a perfect circle. Someone is trying to tell me something. Any more tips? And I don't mean a new Weber....

[Ronald]

Still no manual.... Homebase have not got back to me yet, but I am on the case.....You're advice of a new grill seems more and more likely all the time....but I am determined. Want a gazebo and cant have both!!! It is hammering it down at the moment so I am just waiting for it to calm down and will have a go. But having looked, just getting the screw out looks like it will be a job....rusty old beast.

Thanks again for your help.

If you can find some pipe cleaners they will also help.
I'm not sure about the laws on your side of the atlantic but if you have gun scrub available that would also remove the rust from your burner

[missvee79]

If you can find some pipe cleaners they will also help.
I'm not sure about the laws on your side of the atlantic but if you have gun scrub available that would also remove the rust from your burner

Gun scrub? How would I get it on the inside if I can't get in there? *dispondent*

[Ronald]

Gun scrub? How would I get it on the inside if I can't get in there? *dispondent*

After you take the burner out you spray or squeeze it into the open end of the burner.
It will desolve whatever is in the inside of the burner.
No matter what you try you cant clean the burner unless it is out of the grill.
If the screw is rusted to the grill just cut the screw off and replace it with a new one

[missvee79]

After you take the burner out you spray or squeeze it into the open end of the burner.
It will desolve whatever is in the inside of the burner.
No matter what you try you cant clean the burner unless it is out of the grill.
If the screw is rusted to the grill just cut the screw off and replace it with a new one

Thanks for that, will try cutting the screw off! Blimey! Sorry if my ignorance is tedious........

[Ronald]

Thanks for that, will try cutting the screw off! Blimey! Sorry if my ignorance is tedious........

You have nothing to be sorry for. This is the only way to learn.
You will help the next new person.
You are actually helping people now.
You are not the only person with these questions.
You just happen to be the only person smart enough to ask for help.
You will continue to receive help because you are actively participating

[missvee79]

You have nothing to be sorry for. This is the only way to learn.
You will help the next new person.
You are actually helping people now.
You are not the only person with these questions.
You just happen to be the only person smart enough to ask for help.
You will continue to receive help because you are actively participating

Thanks Ronald, you've been a real, real help. Am going to try again tomorrow, but if all else fails, will cut the blighter off!!

Don't know what I would have done without all you guys guiding me!!

[missvee79]

Hi Guys,

I have drilled out the screw, checked all three burners; no nests/webs, and the inside feels clear of rust, amazingly. One of the wires leading to the ignition o the first burner snapped...bothered 90 times? I dont think so...

Anyways....I got new screws etc and put the burner back on. STILL THE SAME PROBLEM AS ABOVE!!!!!

The burner lights, but goes out as soon as there is no flame source held near it.

Why wont it stay lit? Why does it need a constant source of ignition? The other two don't but the warning sticker says to light the burners in sequence....do I have to???? And no, still no instruction manual...

I am SO not handy, and I feel I have worked hard cleaning and drilling (for the first time in my LIFE). Starting to feel really gutted. Cant afford another grill at the moment as even the most pathetic, weak, wobbly grills are £150 and they feel like they would just collapse under the weight of a couple of chicken breast.... May be resigned to purchasing a tinny piece of c**p charcoal bbq, which I wouldn't even bother telling you guys about....

[Ronald]

Hi Guys,

I have drilled out the screw, checked all three burners; no nests/webs, and the inside feels clear of rust, amazingly. One of the wires leading to the ignition o the first burner snapped...bothered 90 times? I dont think so...

Anyways....I got new screws etc and put the burner back on. STILL THE SAME PROBLEM AS ABOVE!!!!!

The burner lights, but goes out as soon as there is no flame source held near it.

Why wont it stay lit? Why does it need a constant source of ignition? The other two don't but the warning sticker says to light the burners in sequence....do I have to???? And no, still no instruction manual...

I am SO not handy, and I feel I have worked hard cleaning and drilling (for the first time in my LIFE). Starting to feel really gutted. Cant afford another grill at the moment as even the most pathetic, weak, wobbly grills are £150 and they feel like they would just collapse under the weight of a couple of chicken breast.... May be resigned to purchasing a tinny piece of c**p charcoal bbq, which I wouldn't even bother telling you guys about....

Try moving the burners around.
If the weak flame moves then you no you have a bad burner.
If the weak flame stays in the same place then you have a bad gas line or regulator