There’s a Spider In My Grill!
Spiders love gas grills. No, it’s not the burgers and dogs that attract them—it’s actually the smell of propane and natural gas.
Spiders are attracted to the smell of gas, so it’s common for them to make their way into the grill burner itself and spin a web that can block the free flow of gas even after the spider has moved on. A web blockage inside the burner can be dangerous—if the gas is unable to flow freely, it will be forced backward into the venturi tube and towards the front of the burner (closest to the control panel), resulting in a “flash fire”.
How can you tell if a spider has set up shop inside your grill? Keep an eye out for common signs of blockage. If you spot any of these signs, it’s time to clean your venturi tubes. Keep reading for a step-by-step visual guide to cleaning your venturi tubes.
Common signs of a blockage in the burner are:
If you smell gas, that’s another clearn sign that you should clean out your venturi tubes.
What’s the Solution?
Your first line of defense against exploratory spiders is to check your grill at the beginning and end of grilling season, as well as periodically throughout the summer. A proper grill cover can also help keep spiders away.
If you suspect that there’s a spider web blockage in your grill’s venturi tubes, turn the barbecue off and let it cool completely. Remove the burners in question and clean them with a venturi brush. A venturi brush has bristles on a long flexible rod that allow you to scrub the inside walls of the burner tube.
How To Handle Flashback Fires
In the event of a full blown flashback fire, turn off the gas supply immediately. In most cases, the fire should subside right away. If it doesn’t, get your fire extinguisher and use this to douse the flames.
Once the fire is out and the barbecue has cooled down you will need to inspect the hoses, valves and knobs for damage. If any of these parts have been damaged they should be replaced before grilling again.
To make your grill spider-free, we recommend that you make cleaning the burners part of your regular grill maintenance routine.
Happy Grilling!
