portable Gas grill question

[PHXLavaVibe]

Hey all, Does anyone here know anything about portable gas grills?I just bought one last night from the grocery store and it scares the crap out of me. It is a small cheap grill that you attach a 1 lb propane canister to. I followed the instructions to a T, but I don't trust it at all. The manual said it has an ignition switch on it but I have yet to find one. So instead of pushing a button, i had to light it with a match. When I lit it, there was a huge ball of fire that nearly singed my hair. The instruction manual said to turn it on high to light it and to let it burn for about 15 minutes so that the flames will burn any chemical residue off the grilling surface. After about 3 minutes the burner (where the two rows of flames come out) started glowing bright red at the tip farthest away from the fuel tank and after five minutes the entire burner was glowing hot. The flames were all merged together burning a light blue with an occasional yellow tip in kind of a wavy pattern that tells me there was not enough air flow. The flames at the tip of the burner never came around the outside of the burner lip, thus causing it to glow red. From all of my previous grilling experience, the flames should come out around the burner as individual flames and not come in contact with the burner itself. I live in an upstairs apartment with a small balcony and I am afraid that if I let the burner glow red like that, that it will eventually reach the tank and cause an explosion. The tank and valve screw directly into the burner without any hoses or anything that a typical full size gas grill would have.So, after reading all this...what would you do? Do you think it is safe to use? Do you think it would blow up?

[northvibe]

mmm I say return it and get a non cheap one made for camping or such. you do get what you pay for :/ My colman camping ones dont do that hot red thing...so that semi is scary. sounds like they are using some cheap crap metal.

[Whelan]

I have a $30 one from Sports Authority that I use for camping. Uses the green coleman tanks, works really well, is easy to clean and the legs fold up over the cover to lock it down for packing and putting away.Sounds like you have a defect, I never had a glowing burner like you describe. For your balcony I would seriously consider something a little less portable. Weber makes a grill called the Q that you can get with a neat little stand and an attachment to use a 20lb propane tank with it if you like. Here are some pics. For the money, its the perfect solution for people with apartment balconies and small areas to grill on.

[kevera]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »I have a $30 one from Sports Authority that I use for camping. Uses the green coleman tanks, works really well, is easy to clean and the legs fold up over the cover to lock it down for packing and putting away.Sounds like you have a defect, I never had a glowing burner like you describe. For your balcony I would seriously consider something a little less portable. Weber makes a grill called the Q that you can get with a neat little stand and an attachment to use a 20lb propane tank with it if you like. Here are some pics. For the money, its the perfect solution for people with apartment balconies and small areas to grill on.I like that grill that Whelan posted,sounds like it'll be perfect for you and your balcony.I have one of those little ones,use it for camping and it works like a charm.It does sound like yours has a problem,so bring it back for safety sake.

[zionzr2]

just dont use those on a balcony in Madison, WI. there is a city wide ban on grills on balconies.

[lovemyraffe]

I wouldn't use it. I like my eyebrows.

[darcmater]

I am some what of a pyro so I say go for it, just use it on someone elses balcony : )

[Whelan]

Sometimes they require mats if you are on a top floor. Get a grille mat from Home Depot

[vibebob]

my apartments say no 'open flames' within 8 feet of the building, but they stammer when it comes to gas grills that and 8 feet from the building is either in the parking lot or the road..LOL