Grilling with propane is incredibly convenient. Craving some perfectly seared ribeyes? Just turn a knob to ignite your burners. Once those steaks are cooked to your desired temperature, simply turn off the grill, close the propane grill tank, and get ready to indulge in your delicious meal. That’s what makes gas grills the most popular grill in the country, with more than 60% of the grills in U.S. homes being gas grills.
Propane grills are user-friendly and generally safe to operate, but it’s crucial to be mindful of potential concerns. One such concern is the occurrence of hissing sounds. How should you react when you hear your grill hissing, and it’s not due to a sizzling steak?
If your grill starts hissing, the first step is to immediately turn off the burners. The hissing sound could indicate a potential propane gas leak, which, although non-toxic, is highly flammable. Therefore, it is crucial to extinguish any flames present to ensure safety.
Hissing is a common occurrence when pressure is released from a propane cylinder. It is crucial for all propane tanks, including portable grill tanks, to be equipped with pressure relief devices. These valves play a vital role in safeguarding your propane tank from rupturing due to excessive pressure buildup.
A propane cylinder’s safety relief valve is equipped with a spring that remains closed under normal conditions. However, if the pressure inside the tank becomes dangerously high, it will exert force on the spring, causing the safety valve to open. This will be accompanied by a distinct popping sound, followed by a hissing noise as the pressure gradually decreases. It is important to note that you should not attempt to manually close this safety valve. It will automatically close on its own once the cylinder pressure returns to a normal and safe level. To expedite the process, you can assist by cooling the cylinder with a hose.
If the pressure relief valve is not open, it is possible that there could be a leak. Fortunately, there is a relatively straightforward method to test for this occurrence.
After you have finished using your grill, make sure to close the propane cylinder and carefully follow these steps:
With Hiper Gas exchange and refill stations located all around the Greater El Paso area, you can be assured of always having a safe grill tank for your next cookout! Contact us today to learn more.