Gas Smell at the Grill

Natural gas and propane have no smell of their own. Utilities and propane suppliers add an odorant, mercaptan, which smells like rotten eggs or sulfur, so you'll notice a leak. A brief whiff when you first turn a burner on and it takes a second to light is normal. A smell that lingers with the knobs off, that you notice walking past the grill, or that gets stronger near the tank, hose or control panel is not normal.

Propane is heavier than air. It sinks and collects in low spots: inside the grill cabinet, under an island, in a planter box next to the patio. Natural gas is lighter and rises. Either way, an enclosed built-in island is exactly where gas can build up, which is why most islands need vent panels.

Once the gas is off and the smell is gone, don't use the grill again until the source is found. The smell coming back when you open the supply means there's still a leak.

With the smell gone and no flames anywhere nearby, a soap test on the visible connections is a reasonable thing to do on a propane grill. Mix dish soap and water, brush it on the tank valve, the regulator connection and along the hose, then open the tank valve slowly with all burner knobs off. Growing bubbles mean gas is escaping. Close the tank right away. Our step-by-step soap test guide covers it in detail.

If the leak is at the tank connection, closing the valve, disconnecting, checking the seal and reconnecting hand tight sometimes solves it. If it bubbles again, the regulator or tank valve needs replacing.

That's as far as a homeowner should go. Don't test with a flame. Don't tighten fittings inside the control panel, and don't try to repair a hose with tape.