How a Propane Gas Grill Works - The source of the spark for cooking on your burner

 
A Propane Gas Grill for Outdoors often replaces the more traditional charcoal grill. It’s a more complicated version of a charcoal or wood grill. A gas grill will require additional maintenance as it has many more working parts than a traditional grill. Understanding how a gas grill works can ensure your grill stays as safe as possible during your cookouts or barbecues for friends and family.

A gas grill runs from a liquid propane (LP) or a natural gas source (such as methane mixed with propane, ethane, or butane) tank as its fuel source, rather than a conventional charcoal wood source. The gas source from the tank connects through tubing to a set of valve regulators. These control or regulate the flow of gas from the gas source to the burner. This allows the flame, therefore the heat, to become controlled by simply twisting the regulator control dials. Less gas equals less heat.

As the gas flows it needs a source of ignition, as well as additional elements, to turn from gas to a heat form. This requires three essentials, gas, oxygen and a spark. The gas comes from the tank, the oxygen from the surrounding natural air (70.9%), and the spark comes from the use of the grill starter or ignite button as it is sometimes known. This button once pushed begins to provide a spark in the form of piezoelectricity. This spark ignites the gas.

Piezoelectricity works due to the effect of pressure on certain elements. The elements that display piezoelectric behaviours include quartz, Rochelle salts, and some ceramics. The pressure is caused by a tiny spring loaded hammer hitting the crystal element and generating a charge separation within the crystal. This separation results in thousands of volts transferring across the surface of the crystal. This temporary spark ignites the gas. In a similar way the spark-plugs of conventional motor vehicles use the same process to ignite and combust gasoline.

Now the gas has a source of ignition it flows to the burner. The burner is the main cooking area so a constant regular source of heat’s required. For this reason the burner features numerous holes that will allow the gas to spread out across the cooking area. These holes ensure an even distribution of gas. As the starter hammer trips, the spark arcs to the burner electrodes. These electrodes ensure the flame ignites the whole cooking area through an even spread of flame. Most modern gas grills have two separate burner areas, with each burner area having its own temperature control. This allows for cooking while maintaining preheated temperatures for different dishes simultaneously.

The gas grill hood helps trap the heat within the cooking area and helps maintain adequate cooking temperature as well as ensuring natural wind does not effect the temperature or flow of the gas within the burner.

BUY a Propane Gas Grill for Outdoors

Using a gas grill helps preserve natural charcoal supplies as well as producing a uniformed heat source for cooking. Many argue the taste of a gas grill's not on par with a conventional charcoal grill. There are some additional safety concerns to consider when using a gas grill, including leaks and regular maintenance. Paradoxically it’s also safer in some aspects too, as no hot coals or charcoals exist that require disposal. Hot coals can potentially create a fire hazard long after a charcoal grill has become extinguished.