What are the Different Types of Gas Grill Parts?

Gas grill parts can vary somewhat between manufacturers, but there are some parts that are basic to all grills. Almost every gas grill will have a grill body and hood, gas source, hose, regulator, controls, venturi tube, starter, burners, barriers, and cooking surface. These parts all work together to create that wonderful smokey taste that grill enthusiasts love.

The grill body is the largest part of a grill. It is the metal body that holds all of the other gas grill parts within it. The hood is the lid that closes down on top of the body to create a closed cooking area. This closed area is what makes the grill heat at a quick and high level.

The gas source is usually an independent gas tank, which can be refilled when empty, connected to the main hose. The gas tank has shutoff valves to protect the consumer from leakage and the valve should always be turned off when not in use.

The main hose connects from the gas source into the regulator. Regulators are set by the manufacturer to control the flow of gas into the control area. The gas then flows to the control knobs that the consumer uses to determine the amount of gas pushed through into the burner. The more gas, the higher and hotter the flame. There are usually at least two controls, each connecting to a burner of its own.

Venturi tubes connect the control knobs to the burner. There is a small gap in these fuel lines so that the gas can mix with air. Without that mixture of oxygen and propane, a flame cannot be produced.

Burners are usually oblong hollow metal trays that have holes around the outside perimeter. These gas grill parts come in a variety of heat resistant metals, ranging from aluminized steel to brass. The gas is pumped through these holes and carry the flame that is produced by the starter.

A flame is produced through a combination of gas and oxygen exposed to a spark. A spark comes from the starter, sometimes called an ignitor. Usually these look like a button on the grill. When pressed, a small hammer hits a special material that becomes electrically charged by pressure. This quick charge makes a spark that in turn lights the gas going into the burner. Some ignitors on advanced models of grills are knobs which cause a spark to jump between two electrodes.

Over the burner is a barrier, sometimes called a radiant. The intention of the barrier is to absorb some of the heat from the burner and distribute it out evenly to the cooking surface. These gas grill parts also provide an extra level of protection for the burners, as grease will drip on these first. This also means that they need to be replaced sometimes more frequently than a burner. Some grills use lava rocks or ceramic briquettes, while others use longer lasting metal barriers.

The cooking surface is a metal grate that floats over the burner and barrier. Food is placed on the grate, leaving behind that lovely dark crisscrossed pattern associated with grilling. They can be made of a variety of materials like cast iron, porcelain coated cast iron, stainless steel, porcelain coated steel or regular steel.

Each of these gas grill parts is an integral part of making a home grill easy and effective to use. Regular maintenance and replacement of gas grill parts can help one last for many years. With all of the parts working together, a gas grill can ensure a great barbecue any time of the year.