How often and how do I check my gas barbecue for a gas leak?
How do I check my gas barbecue for a gas leak?
You should check a gas barbecue for a gas leak every now and then. Why? Because a gas leak can cause your barbecue to explode. And exploding means fire, accidents, and misery. If gas leaks from the gas bottle next to your gas BBQ, it'll remain around the barbecue. If you then light your barbecue, it ignites and explodes within seconds. That's why it's useful to regularly check for gas leaks by following the steps below.
Step 1. Use soapy water as test liquid (50% water, 50% dish soap) and make a lot of foam.
Step 2. Sometimes, you receive test fluid when you purchase your gas BBQ. Check if that's the case.
Step 3. Open the gas valve on your barbecue.
Step 4. Apply foam to the connection of your barbecue and the gas bottle.
Step 5. Check whether the soap bubbles (soap bubbles are formed).
Step 6. Does the soap bubble and do you see soap bubbles? Be careful, because this means you have a gas leak. Read what to do under 'leak found'.
Step 7. Don't see any bubbles? Great. Turn off the gas valve and rinse the parts with soapy water.
Step 8. Aren't you sure? Read the BBQ manual again. It also contains instructions for a leak test.
Never use fire to look for a gas leak. This is life-threatening! In addition, don't smoke during your inspection round. Do you smell gas or hear a hissing sound? Turn off the gas right away and replace the hose, pressure regulator, and/or coupling.
How often do you check a gas barbecue for a gas leak?
If you're going to use your gas BBQ for the first time, you already need to look for gas leaks. Maybe you didn't assemble the barbecue very well or parts were broken. Do this again at the end of the barbecue season. The following year is another good time to do a check before you use it again all season. Replace the gas hose and gas pressure regulator every 3 years, just to be sure. The rubber gas hose gets cracks due to dehydration and use, which can later become a leak. It's better to prevent something than having to fix it afterwards.
Found a leak? Now what...
You've gone through the first 8 steps, and then you notice that you have a gas leak. But what now? Check whether you've connected the barbecue and gas bottle properly. Maybe you haven't tightened everything enough. Check again with soap if the leak is gone. If it isn't, there might be a leak in the hose. Replace it with a new one. Is the gas pressure regulator broken? Replace it.
