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Blackstone Propane Regulator Leaking
A leaking propane regulator typically puts a “Rotten Egg” sulfur smell in the air. In a severe case, you might even notice a slight hissing sound. It can be especially distressing if these odors and noises are close to your liquid propane tank.
Blackstone griddles rely on a regulator to turn the high-pressure propane inside the liquid propane tank into the low-pressure gas that the burners use to produce a flame.
A regulator is designed to consistently deliver propane to the burner elements and has a safety mechanism inside that will shut down the flow of propane if the pressure coming through the line is too strong.
A propane regulator has a safety switch that keeps tripping, which is often a sign of a gas leak somewhere in the hose, the air gates, or a malfunction in one of the propane grill’s burner elements.
While it’s normal for a regulator to need to be reset from time to time, it should not be happening frequently.
If you suspect that your Blackstone griddle’s regulator has started leaking propane, you should shut off the main valve of the liquid propane tank.
If you have a tabletop griddle, you might want to try tightening the connections between the one-pound propane cylinder and the griddle.
Otherwise, you should disengage the tank and replace it altogether.
Why Is My Regulator Leaking Propane?
Long-term wear and tear or alignment issues in the special O-ring that helps seal both halves of the regulator are the most common causes of propane leaks.
Though with gas grills and griddles that run off a one-pound propane canister, the leak can sometimes be related to the fittings being a little loose on either the propane tank or the way the regulator connects to the burner elements.
How to Test For A Propane Regulator Leak
To test if your regulator is leaking you can use the classic soapy water test. This involves adding five to ten drops of dish soap with 2 gallons of water.
Then dip the faulty regulator in the dish soap, and immediately reattach it to the liquid propane tank. Turn the tank on and open one of the valves on your gas grill. If you see tiny soap bubbles forming, you have a leaky regulator.
If you don’t notice any bubbles on the propane regulator or the coupler connecting it to the propane tank, you can use this same test to find possible leaks in the propane gas lines or other components in your grill’s propane system.
Though it’s usually easier to put the soap and water solution in a spray bottle and give the suspect component three to five heavy sprays, rather than uninstalling it and soaking it in a bucket.
Can You Fix A Leaking Propane Regulator?
It’s usually better to simply replace a leaking regulator than it is to try to fix it. Most grill and outdoor griddle manufacturers, like Blackstone, offer replacement regulators on their websites or through affiliated retailers.
Attempting to fix a leaking propane regulator yourself could cause an even greater problem. One that could be a severe fire hazard, as well as void things like warranty coverage and homeowner’s insurance.
Is It Normal To Smell Propane at the Regulator?
Propane regulators and the couplers that connect them to the liquid propane tank are designed to be airtight and shouldn’t give off any propane odor.
Since propane is naturally odorless, the refineries put sulfur in the gas to let you know there is a problem as soon as you smell that classic “Rotten Eggs” odor.
If you do smell a problem, it is best to close the valve on the liquid propane tank.
This should prevent any propane from escaping into the air and will give you time to determine if the problem is a leaky propane regulator, a leak in a gas line, or some other fault in the system.
How Do You Fix A Propane Regulator?
With a large regulator attached to a liquid propane tank, it is usually best and far safer to simply replace the propane regulator than it is to try to fix it yourself.
Though a smaller regulator for a countertop griddle might not be a leak in the regulator itself and might just be a loose connection.
If you have a smaller tabletop Blackstone griddle that runs off a one-pound propane canister, it might be that the connection between the gas bottle and the griddle isn’t 100% tight. Make sure that there isn’t any dirt or corrosion affecting the connection and attempt to tighten it.
If the sulfur odor of rotten eggs persists, you should remove the propane canister, and cap it with the black cap seal it came with.
Then try again with a different fresh, clean canister.
If all the components on this replacement canister are tight and the odor still lingers, it is likely a leak inside the Blackstone griddle’s small propane regulator.
Final Thoughts
A leaky propane regulator on a Blackstone griddle is always a cause for concern.
If you have a larger Blackstone griddle where the regulator connects to a 20 or 30-gallon liquid propane tank, and the soap bubbles test revealed a leak, it is better to replace the entire regulator, than to try to fix it yourself.
If you have a tabletop griddle that connects directly to a one-pound propane canister, the leaking propane by the regulator might just be a matter of the coupling being loose.
Check to make sure there isn’t any debris interfering with the connection. Then try tightening everything as best you can, without using actual tools. If the leak persists, you might need to get a replacement regulator from Blackstone or one of its affiliates.
Robert is a certified Pitmaster, with over a decade of experience in smoking the best meats you’ll ever feast upon. He also has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. When he’s not researching technical topics, he’s most likely barbecuing in his backyard.