Posted: August 19, 2024

Why Is My Grill Propane Cylinder Hissing?

Keep an ear out for this unfamiliar sound

If you spend any time out in the yard of your Texas home grilling, you are definitely familiar with that satisfying sizzling sound that you hear as your burgers, hot dogs or steaks are cooking. But have you ever heard a hissing sound coming from your grill tank?

While this sound is hopefully less familiar than the sound of your food firing up, it is definitely not something that should be ignored.

What hissing from your propane cylinder means

If you hear a hissing sound coming from your grill propane cylinder or grill tank, this could mean that your tank’s pressure-relief valve is open.

A grill propane cylinder pressure relief valve opens once the pressure inside this tank gets past a certain level. It automatically opens to keep the tank from rupturing and to prevent any serious damage or safety issues. If and when any pressure is being released out of the open valve, you will usually hear some hissing.

This sound typically stops once some pressure is released and levels return to normal. However, if the hissing doesn’t go away for an extended period of time you may have a grill propane cylinder leak.

If you find yourself in this situation, it is best to disconnect your grill propane cylinder from your grill, take it to a well-ventilated and clear area and empty it out completely.

Re-installing a grill propane cylinder

Once you have completely emptied your grill tank, chances are you will need to install a new one in your grill so that you can keep grilling. Here is how you can safely accomplish this:

• Put your new propane cylinder in your grill’s storage compartment.
• If your grill’s storage compartment has a restraining bolt, make sure it is pulled tight.
• Put the pressure regulator on the cylinder valve and tighten that as well.
• Spray both your cylinder’s valve and grill’s regulator with soapy water and then open the valve to see if there are bubbles inside. If you notice bubbles you may have a leak or a loose connection somewhere. In this case, close the valve, make sure all your connections are tight, spray again and then re-open the valve. If you still notice bubbles you should replace the hose or get a new grill propane cylinder and start the process over.

Why consider grilling with propane

Even though it’s always possible to have a leaky grill propane cylinder, grilling with propane is still a great and beneficial option! Here is a look at why:

• Food that is cooked on a charcoal grill often tastes smoky. You avoid this entirely with a propane grill.
• The clean up is easy and you don’t have to deal with leftover ash and other mess that charcoal grills create.
• Propane burns hotter than charcoal does, which helps any chef get his or her grilling done more quickly. Plus, you don’t have to wait around for a propane grill to get warm the way you do with a charcoal grill. On top of that, you get precise temperature control with a propane grill and can increase or decrease your cooking temperature with the simple turn of a dial.

Come to Symank Energy for propane cylinder refills

Symank Energy has self-service propane cylinder refill stations at both our Cuero and Madisonville locations here in Texas. So when swapping an old tank out for a new one is no longer possible, just come on by and one of our team members will help you out.

Contact Symank Energy today and let us know how we can help with your propane cylinder needs.