A side burner that used to boil a pot quickly and now barely simmers is telling you something changed in the gas, the air or the burner itself. On a 10- to 20-year-old unit, the cause is more often buildup than a failed part.
The Likely Causes
- Clogged ports. Boil-overs and grease close off ports, which weakens the flame and makes it uneven.
- Blocked air intake. Insects nest in burner tubes, especially on outdoor units.
- Cap not seated. A loose burner cap throws the flame off to one side.
- Regulator or tank trouble. On propane, a nearly empty tank or an aging regulator weakens every burner on the system.
- A damaged orifice. This is less common and needs a technician to confirm.
What You Can Try With the Gas Off
Let the unit cool, lift the cap and clean it with a soft brush and warm water. Clear the ports with a brush or a straightened paper clip, taking care not to enlarge them. Dry everything and set the cap back flat. Then light it and look at the flame.
Reading the Flame
A steady blue flame is what you want. A mostly yellow flame points to poor air mixing. A short, weak flame points to low pressure or clogged ports. Neither one tells us the exact part, so we test rather than guess.
When to Stop
If you smell gas, walk away from the burner and phone your gas utility from a safe spot outdoors. A licensed plumber handles the gas line itself, and also any change between natural gas and propane.
If cleaning did not bring the flame back, tell us what you saw when you call us or fill in our online form. We then confirm a three-hour arrival window for your side burner repair.