Troubleshooting a Stuck Gas Grill Valve: Common Issues and Solutions

Opening your BBQ gas grill, you find that the knob on your blue Rhino propane tank won't open. It only wiggles a tiny bit to the left and right, but nothing more. Is it the regulator, or is the tank empty?

Identifying the Problem

The valve on your propane tank is probably stuck in the open or closed position. Turning it counter-clockwise opens it while turning it clockwise closes it. One common issue is that the valve may be stuck because it hasn't been used since last summer.

Checking the Tank's Weight

To determine if the tank is still holding propane, you can check its weight:

Place the propane tank on a set of bathroom scales to get the total weight. Locate the collar of the tank, where you'll find the letters “TW” followed by some numbers. These numbers represent the total weight of the tank when full. Subtract the weight mentioned next to the “TW” from the total weight to find out the weight of the remaining propane. Divide the remaining weight by 4.24 to find out how many gallons of propane are left in the cylinder.

If you need more accuracy, you can further calculate how many hours and minutes of cooking time are left using the input BTUs of your grill.

Issues with the Regulator

The regulator on your propane tank is not related to the valve not being able to open. It's possible that the valve is stuck due to not having been used in a long time.

If the valve is still stuck, you can try using a pair of pliers to open it. If that doesn't work, it's time to take the tank back to where it was purchased and exchange it for a new one.

Proper Use of Multi-Turn Valves

It seems you may have opened the valve all the way and left it there. Multi-turn valves on gas cylinders are designed to be closed tightly against pressure, not left fully open. Opening to the point of stopping won't add any more flow.

For future use, return the stuck tank to the supplier. For your new tank, always open the valve to the stop and immediately turn it back a couple of turns. Dispose of the grill after cooking and close the valve tightly. Follow this process every time to avoid the valve getting stuck again.

Common Tank Weights and Diagnostics

When it comes to typical 20 lb. propane tanks:

A full tank will weigh around 37 lbs. An empty tank will weigh around 17 lbs.

If the valve is stuck, bring the tank back to the supplier for replacement. If the tank is heavy, it usually means it still has propane inside. If it's light, it needs to be refilled. Sometimes the valve can get tightened too much, making it difficult to open. In such cases, use a towel or channel-lock pliers to apply counter-clockwise force on the valve handle to loosen it.

If the valve is still unresponsive, bring the tank back to the supplier for exchange or refill.