Posted: April 13, 2026

How to Check for Leaks in Your Grill Tank

Be prepared to fix common problems with your grill

The last thing you want on a beautiful spring or summer North Carolina day when you have a backyard full of people is to run into an issue with your grill or propane cylinder right as you’re about to start cooking the burgers, hot dogs and steak you have on deck. This would really put a damper on the mood! However, if you know how to fix common issues with gas grills and grill tanks your party and your cooking can carry on as planned.

So let’s review some common gas grill problems and how to go about solving them together so that you can keep your backyard gatherings going all spring and summer long.

Grill tank leaks

If your grill tank is leaking, you will likely smell something similar to rotten eggs or hear a hissing sound coming from your tank.

You can also perform your own leak check if you are at all suspicious that your cylinder is leaking. You should also always check for leaks after connecting a new grill tank to a barbeque.

To check for leaks you should:

• Shut off your gas and close your cylinder’s valve
• Spray the tank valve and grill connections with a mixture of dish soap and water
• Open the cylinder’s valve to check for bubbles
• If you see bubbles that means that you have a leak
• Tighten the fittings and repeat the test
• If you still see bubbles replace the cylinder that is leaking with a new one

Additional common grill tank issues

• Low or uneven flames: If your gas flow becomes restricted you may notice low or uneven flames coming from your grill. This could mean that your grill’s regulator is blocked or a propane valve is partially closed. In the event of low or even flames you should make sure your grill’s regulator isn’t in safety mode, check that the propane valve is fully open and inspect your grill’s hose for kinks or blockages.
• Trouble igniting your grill: Ignition troubles can be a sign that your grill tank is running low on fuel or that you have clogged or blocked burners. First, check your cylinder’s fuel levels. If there is a good amount of fuel inside, make sure your grill’s ignition system is operating correctly and is clean. You should also clean the burners in case they are clogged.
• Uneven heat distribution: This can also happen when fuel levels get too low.

Caring for your propane cylinder

You reduce your chances of experiencing a propane leak when you care for your cylinders properly.

Propane cylinders should be stored outside in well-ventilated areas. Keep them out of direct sunlight, far away from any potential sources of ignition, upright and on level surfaces.

To prevent a propane cylinder from getting rusty and damaged, store it on a concrete slab as opposed to the ground.

Refill your grill tank at K.B. Johnson Oil & Gas

When your propane cylinder needs to be refilled bring it on over to K.B. Johnson and we’ll take care of it for you. We have a propane cylinder filling station in our showroom in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina as well as two partner locations in Willow Spring and Fuquay-Varina.

Contact K.B. Johnson Oil & Gas to learn more about how you can benefit from a propane cylinder refill.