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Weber Grill Connection

I have a Weber Q220 grill that I connect to my Foretravel propane tank; however, this past weekend I could only get a small flame, not enough to grill anything.  I removed the hose from the RV and tried using one of the small 1 lb disposable bottles and got the same results.

Called Weber and they said it was a bad regulator and they would be glad to sell me a new one.  They ask me if I was using it connected to my RV and I said yes.  The lady on the phone said you shouldn't do that because it will fry the regulator.  She said I could use the small disposable bottles or a 5 gal bottle but not my RV tank.  She said it had too much pressure.  Well, I've been doing this for three years now and haven't had any problems until this weekend.

I spoke to the propane guy who fills my tank and he said all these tanks are at the same pressure (around 150psi).

Any ideas on whether he is right and the Weber lady is giving me the run around?  Maybe I just had a bad regulator.

Thanks,
Jimmy

1998 U295 36'
Jimmy

Margie and Jimmy
2003 U270 36' (one slide)
1998 U295 36' (Sold 2019)

Re: Weber Grill Connection

Reply #1 –
Quote from: jimmy_walther –
I have a Weber Q220 grill that I connect to my Foretravel propane tank; however, this past weekend I could only get a small flame, not enough to grill anything.  I removed the hose from the RV and tried using one of the small 1 lb disposable bottles and got the same results.

Jimmy,

It's a common complaint with the Q's.  We found a lot of oily residue in the regulator of ours after a couple of years' use as well and the same thing, minimal flame.  Steve cleaned it and was able to get it working again and I think he was able to reorient it so the residue doesn't collect as easily.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Weber Grill Connection

Reply #2 –
Michelle,

I took out the burner and cleaned it up but now change.  Is there someplace else to clean?

Jimmy
Jimmy

Margie and Jimmy
2003 U270 36' (one slide)
1998 U295 36' (Sold 2019)

Re: Weber Grill Connection

Reply #3 –
Jimmy, I ran into the same thing several years ago with my Q120. Weber wanted $43 for a new regulator. I went to Ace Hardware and bought a standard regulator for a grill for $13.95. I spent a couple of bucks more getting the proper brass adapters and put it on the Q120. I did not change the jet. I have been using it with my Foretravel tank successfully since then. With the appropriate hose I can still use the little Coleman bottles or the regular grill tanks.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Weber Grill Connection

Reply #4 –
I have a feeling that it is not the weber grill that is the problem but the way it is hooked up to the gas line from tank. When I decided to put a valve and quick release fitting on my tank to save having to carry extra bottles around I decided to take the bottom pipe elbow off and change it too a tee to give me an extra outlet. Well when I took the pipe fitting off, the line and elbow were full of the oily residue. I cleaned the line out and fitted my valve to it. I should have used a drop nipple of say 1" to be able to collect any residue that gets into the tank from the propane. Mine works ok as I use it quite frequentley so no build up occurs. I think this is why the regulator gets blocked. IMHO
John H
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Weber Grill Connection

Reply #5 –
A drop nipple can be part of the hose assembly rather than re-plumb the tank fitting.

Re: Weber Grill Connection

Reply #6 –
I have had issues with my Q200 regulator since I owned it, they replaced once under warranty. I think it is an issue with the safety mechanism inside, very tempermental. I think I will change it out for the generic $15 one as someone else has posted.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Weber Grill Connection

Reply #7 –
I am the one that converted to a generic regulator. I think I should mention that I have a quick disconnect on my hose and regulator. I try to never leave the regulator connected to the tank when not in use, just for safety sake.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Weber Grill Connection

Reply #8 –
Thanks for all the suggestions, I think I'm going to give Kent's approach a try.

Jimmy
Jimmy

Margie and Jimmy
2003 U270 36' (one slide)
1998 U295 36' (Sold 2019)

Re: Weber Grill Connection

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
I have had issues with my Q200 regulator since I owned it, they replaced once under warranty. I think it is an issue with the safety mechanism inside, very tempermental. I think I will change it out for the generic $15 one as someone else has posted.
FWIW, I agree with Tim.

I have used a Baby Q for at least ten years, running directly off my U270 large tank, through a 15 foot hose with a 90 degree quick shutoff valve at the tank and a Schraeder fitting at the Q bottle connect fitting.

The first couple of times that I experienced very low flame and Q performance, I too was concerned about the oily residue that is sometimes present.

Then an "Old Timer" propane business owner and BBQ'ing magician told me that the Weber Q's regulator safety mechanism is the culprit.  If one admits the propane gas too rapidly (and especially if one has forgotten to turn off the Q's regulator and admits the gas rapidly) the Q's regulator WILL perform its safety function as designed, it WILL LOCK UP and it won't release for a long time (different for each regulator, but on the order of hours, not minutes). 
And, the oily residue is present in any propane system and is simply condensed impurities present in the propane gas.  It is exaggerated in the case where we extend the gas availability through a hose a dozen or more feet (to put distance between the BBQ and the coach, which provides more cool, small diameter volume in which to condense the impurities).

Solutions:
1. ten or more years ago, I started opening the tank 90 degree ball valve very, very slowly.  I always disconnect my extension hose, when not in use, for safety.
2. When I start to see an oily condensate at the Q (maybe once or twice a year), I open the 90 degree ball valve, and depress the Schraeder valve with a nail set punch to "blow" the condensate out of the 15' line.

Paying attention to these two issues has provided ten plus years of happiness and problem free performance with our Baby Q, and we enjoy doing a LOT of grilling on the Q, at least seven months a year.

Hope this clears up some mystery,
Neal
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Weber Grill Connection

Reply #10 –
Thanks
Jimmy

Margie and Jimmy
2003 U270 36' (one slide)
1998 U295 36' (Sold 2019)