I’m attempting to get a batch in by noon and I just hooked up my burner and I can’t get any flow through it from the propane tank. I tried 2 tanks. Both tanks were outside and it’s 30 degrees out, can the propane possibly be frozen or maybe the valve is frozen? My burner was inside all night so that isn’t frozen. I’m worried my burner just went belly up and I may be making a trip to the LHBS to get a new one. Help!
You’d have to get to -300 degrees before the propane would freeze. Perhaps there was moisture in the line/connector that froze and is causing blockage. But if two separate tanks are doing the same thing, I’d guess the problem lies somewhere with the burner.
Propane freezes at ~-300F, so it can’t be a frozen tank.
Perhaps doing basic trouble shooting.
- When you turn the valve open on the tank is it flowing?
- Connect Regulator to tank, but not to burner. Is the propane flowing?
- Connect burner to regulator and turn open the valve on the burner or tinker with the air shutter, is it flowing?
If step one doesn’t work either the valve is broken on the tank or the tank is out of propane.
If step two doesn’t work either the regulator is broken or shut off or there is an obstruction in regulator or gas line connected to regulator.
If step three doesn’t work then the valve in the burner if it has one is broken, the gas line to burner is obstructed.
Please post a pic of the burner.
Also sorry to make it sound like I am mocking you, most of the time it is that basic things that go wrong. I once had a neighbor claim my burner or regulator was broken, it turned out his propane tank was empty.
Added Content
I read you blog just now, if it is truly moisture that froze in the line or regulator or valve in your burner, perhaps using your wife’s blow dryer could solve that issue. Good luck I wish you the best
[quote=“andjenliang”]Propane freezes at ~-300F, so it can’t be a frozen tank.
Perhaps doing basic trouble shooting.
- When you turn the valve open on the tank is it flowing?
- Connect Regulator to tank, but not to burner. Is the propane flowing?
- Connect burner to regulator and turn open the valve on the burner or tinker with the air shutter, is it flowing?
If step one doesn’t work either the valve is broken on the tank or the tank is out of propane.
If step two doesn’t work either the regulator is broken or shut off or there is an obstruction in regulator or gas line connected to regulator.
If step three doesn’t work then the valve in the burner if it has one is broken, the gas line to burner is obstructed.
Please post a pic of the burner.
Also sorry to make it sound like I am mocking you, most of the time it is that basic things that go wrong. I once had a neighbor claim my burner or regulator was broken, it turned out his propane tank was empty.
Added Content
I read you blog just now, if it is truly moisture that froze in the line or regulator or valve in your burner, perhaps using your wife’s blow dryer could solve that issue. Good luck I wish you the best[/quote]
Thanks for the responses guys. I tested both propane tanks with the grill and they are fine. When I hook up the regulator and turn the gas on (with the regulator off) i actually hear a small amount and smell a small amount of gas come out for a second or two. When I turn my valve though nothing happens. I don’t get any flow at all. I know my tanks aren’t empty. I think it’s the regulator. I don’t think it’s making a snug connection to the tank even though the nut is tight. I jiggled the hose slightly with the valve open on both ends and heard some gas come out of the burner. I think it’s just old at this point and I haven’t taken very good care of it over the years I’ve had it. This is batch #50 for me today so fitting it went bad I guess. I am gonna just bite the bullet and get a new burner. I wasn’t crazy about this one anyway but it worked and was free once upon a time.
Blow the burner out if its clogged. Sometimes rust or bugs get in there. If is the regulator, you can just buy one of those at Walmart I think.
I just put up pics of the burner on my blog:
http://trompeterbrewing.blogspot.comWhat kind of burner is it? I’m guessing but from the number of posts you have, I’m guessing you’ve successfully used it several times, ruling out an issue with the air mixture value/cap or a blowout (turning the propane flow too high before starting).
If I had to guess, I’d say your burner’s regulator is having issues.
Edit: Nevermind. Just saw the pics of the new (and old) burner. Happy brewing!
:cheers:
ok, brew day is over and I took video of the whole thing. Have a look:
http://trompeterbrewing.blogspot.com/Hopefully the video came out ok. I tried to be as short as possible but it’s still 20 minutes with all of the steps of all grain. enjoy.
Just wanted to add, I get this issue sometimes, and I find that cranking the needle valves on the regulators all the way out and all the way in a few times seems to do the trick.
