1. Check for leaks — Check all gas supply lines with a mixture of one part water and one part soap detergent. With heat control knobs in the “off” position, turn on the gas supply. Apply the mixture to the connections. If bubbles appear, the connections aren’t properly sealed. Tighten connections, or replace hoses.

2. Check for spiders — Spiders are attracted to the smell of propane and they can take up residence in the venturi tubes and valve openings, blocking air and gas flow and leading to uneven cooking and possible safety hazards. Insects, especially spiders, love this space and given half a chance will move in as quickly as possible. The best solution for this is to wrap the venturi tubes with an aluminum screen that will not block the airflow but will keep the critters out. If it’s already clogged, disconnect the gas supply and run a long pipe cleaning brush back and forth in the venture tubes.

3. Check the burners — Burners typically last about 2-3 years because they can corrode quickly. Inspect and clean your burners regularly. Some burners you can replace fairly reasonably – anywhere from $30 to $40.But others can cost up to hundreds of dollars – in those instances, it may be better to replace the entire grill.