Grill Repair and Cleaning
Preparing for a BBQ party? We’ll repair and clean your grill to ensure it’s ready for your big event.
If you turn the knob and press the igniter button but the burners do not light, there are 3 possible causes:
1. Igniter Electrodes Are Dirty or Corroded The igniter electrodes are the small ceramic-tipped probes positioned next to each burner that produce the spark to light the gas. Outdoor grills are constantly exposed to grease splatter, moisture, and food debris that coat the electrode tip and prevent a clean spark from forming. This is the most common cause of ignition failure on Viking grills and the only one you can address yourself before calling a technician. Remove the cooking grates and burner covers, locate the electrode tips next to each burner, and clean them with a dry toothbrush or cotton swab. Never use water directly on the electrodes. Make sure the ceramic insulator around the tip is not cracked — a cracked insulator grounds the spark before it can jump to the burner and must be replaced.
2. Igniter Module or Spark Generator Has Failed The igniter module is the electronic component that generates the high-voltage pulse sent to all the electrodes when you press the igniter button. When the module fails you will hear no clicking sound from any burner — the entire ignition system goes silent. If only one specific burner stopped clicking while others still work, that individual electrode wire or electrode has failed rather than the module itself. Our technician will test the module output during the service visit and replace whichever component has failed. In the meantime you can light Viking burners manually with a long lighter held near the burner port while turning the knob — always light before turning on the gas.
3. Gas Supply Issue If the igniter clicks normally but no flame appears on any burner, the problem is gas supply rather than ignition. Check that the propane tank is not empty and the valve is fully open. If you have a natural gas connection verify the shutoff valve is open. Viking grills also have a gas regulator between the supply and the grill — if the regulator trips its internal safety shutoff due to a rapid pressure change (caused by opening the tank valve too quickly) gas flow is blocked. To reset: turn all burner knobs off, close the tank valve, disconnect the regulator, wait 60 seconds, reconnect the regulator, and slowly open the tank valve before attempting to relight. If gas flow is confirmed but burners still do not light, our technician will inspect the regulator and gas valve assembly during the service visit.
If your Viking grill lights but the flames are small, yellow, or lazy and the grill cannot reach cooking temperature, there are 3 likely causes:
1. Burner Ports Are Clogged Viking grill burners have a row of small ports along their length where gas exits and burns. Over time grease, food debris, and spider webs — a surprisingly common issue on outdoor grills that sit unused — clog these ports and restrict gas flow. Blocked ports produce uneven, weak, or yellow flames and dramatically reduce heat output. Remove the burners from the grill, use a wire brush or toothpick to clear each port along the burner tube, and blow out the debris with compressed air if available. Ports that are clogged with spider webs are particularly important to clear as the webbing restricts flow significantly even when it appears minor.
2. Gas Regulator Is Restricting Flow The gas regulator attached to your propane tank or natural gas line maintains consistent gas pressure to the grill. Regulators have a built-in safety mechanism that restricts gas flow when it detects a rapid pressure change — this is known as bypass mode and is triggered by opening the tank valve too quickly, a leak in the system, or a defective regulator. In bypass mode the grill will light but flames will be very small and the grill cannot reach temperature. Reset the regulator using the procedure described above. If the problem returns consistently the regulator has failed and needs to be replaced. Our technician will test regulator output pressure during the service visit to confirm.
3. Venturi Tubes Are Blocked Each burner on a Viking grill has a venturi tube — a tapered metal tube that mixes air with gas before the mixture reaches the burner ports. Spiders commonly nest inside venturi tubes during periods when the grill is not in use, and the web completely blocks airflow into the tube. Without proper air mixing the gas burns incompletely — producing yellow, lazy flames and significant carbon monoxide. Remove the burners, look down the venturi tubes, and clear any obstruction with a flexible venturi brush. This is a critical safety maintenance item — blocked venturi tubes should be cleared before every season.
If one side of your Viking grill is significantly hotter than the other, or certain areas will not get hot enough while others are too hot, there are 2 causes:
1. One or More Burners Are Failing Viking grills have multiple independent burners across the cooking surface. When one burner becomes partially clogged or begins to fail internally, it produces less heat than the adjacent burners — creating a temperature imbalance across the grill. You can diagnose this visually by lighting the grill and looking at the flame pattern on each burner from the side. A healthy burner produces consistent blue flames along its entire length. A burner with clogged ports shows gaps in the flame pattern or yellow flame in specific spots. If cleaning the ports does not restore even flame distribution the burner tube itself needs to be replaced. Our technician will inspect and replace any failed burner during the service visit.
2. Heat Plates (Flavorizer Bars) Are Warped or Deteriorated Viking grills use stainless steel heat plates — sometimes called flavorizer bars or heat tents — positioned above the burners to distribute heat evenly across the cooking surface, vaporize drippings, and protect the burners from grease. Over time these plates warp from repeated heating and cooling cycles, develop holes from corrosion, or become so coated with buildup that they block heat distribution rather than spread it. Warped or deteriorated heat plates cause significant hot and cold spots directly above the affected area. Heat plates are a wear item that should be inspected annually and replaced when they show significant warping, holes, or corrosion. Our technician will assess their condition during the service visit.
A moderate amount of smoke when first lighting or when drippings hit the heat plates is normal. Excessive smoke throughout cooking that affects food flavor or visibility indicates a maintenance issue:
1. Grease Buildup Has Reached a Critical Level Grease that accumulates in the drip tray, on the heat plates, and inside the grill body ignites during cooking and produces heavy, acrid smoke that gives food a burnt or bitter taste. This is the most common cause of excessive smoke on any outdoor grill and is entirely preventable with regular cleaning. The drip tray should be emptied and cleaned after every few uses. The interior of the grill, heat plates, and burner area should be thoroughly degreased at the start and end of every season. A grill with heavy grease accumulation also presents a significant flare-up and fire risk — heavy cleaning should be done before the next use.
2. Grease Trap or Drip Tray Is Overflowing Viking grills channel grease through the cooking box into a removable drip tray or grease trap at the bottom or side of the grill. If this tray overflows — either because it was not emptied or because the drain channel became blocked with hardened grease — liquid grease drips onto the burners and heat source below, producing heavy smoke and creating a fire hazard. Locate and remove the drip tray, empty it, and clear any blockage in the drain channel leading to it. This should be checked every 3–4 uses during active grilling season.
Act immediately — turn all burner knobs off and close the gas supply valve at the tank or wall.
Do not use water on a grease fire — it will spread the flames. Keep the grill lid closed to starve the fire of oxygen. Have a fire extinguisher rated for grease fires nearby whenever grilling.
Grease fires in a Viking grill are caused by accumulated grease in the drip tray, drain channel, or cooking box igniting when grill temperatures are high. After the fire is fully extinguished and the grill is completely cool, do not use the grill again until it has been fully inspected and cleaned. Our technician will assess whether any components were damaged by the fire — burner tubes, igniter wiring, and gas line components can be compromised by grease fire heat and need to be confirmed safe before the grill is returned to service.
1. Burner Tubes Have Corroded Through Even Viking’s high-quality stainless steel burners eventually corrode from constant exposure to heat, moisture, grease, and the elements. Corroded burner tubes develop holes along their length that allow flame to escape sideways rather than through the designed ports — creating uneven heat, flare-ups, and eventually structural failure of the burner. A burner that has corroded through cannot be cleaned or repaired — it needs to be replaced. Our technician will inspect all burner tubes during the service visit and replace any that have developed corrosion holes or structural damage. Keeping the grill covered when not in use significantly extends burner life.
2. Heat Plates Have Rusted or Burned Through Heat plates sit directly above the burners and take the full impact of heat cycling, grease, and weather. Even stainless steel heat plates eventually rust or burn through, particularly if the grill is used frequently or left uncovered between uses. Heat plates with holes or heavy rust no longer protect the burners from grease drips and no longer distribute heat evenly. They should be replaced as a set to ensure even heat distribution. Our technician will measure and source the correct heat plates for your specific Viking grill model.
Keeping your Viking grill performing properly and lasting for years requires regular maintenance. Here is what needs to be done and how often:
After Every Use
- While the grill is still warm, brush the cooking grates thoroughly with a grill brush to remove food residue before it carbonizes
- Empty the drip tray if it is more than half full
- Close the lid after the grill cools to protect the interior from moisture and debris overnight
Every 3–5 Uses
- Check and empty the drip tray fully
- Wipe down the exterior of the grill with a damp cloth and mild soap — never use abrasive cleaners on Viking stainless steel as they scratch the finish and accelerate corrosion
- Inspect the cooking grates for heavy buildup and soak in warm soapy water if needed
At the Start of Every Season
- Remove the cooking grates and heat plates and degrease thoroughly
- Inspect the burner tubes for clogged ports and clear with a wire brush and toothpick
- Check the venturi tubes for spider webs and debris and clear with a venturi brush — this is a critical safety step
- Inspect the igniter electrodes and ceramic insulators for cracks or corrosion and replace if damaged
- Check all gas connections for leaks using soapy water — bubbles indicate a leak that must be addressed before using the grill
- Inspect the heat plates for warping, holes, or heavy corrosion and replace if deteriorated
- Season the cooking grates with cooking oil to prevent rust
At the End of Every Season
- Perform a full deep clean of the entire grill interior including the cooking box, drain channel, and drip tray
- Disconnect and inspect the gas supply line and regulator for cracks or deterioration
- Turn off the gas supply at the tank or wall valve
- Cover the grill with a proper fitted cover to protect from winter weather
Annual Professional Service Our technician will perform a full inspection of your Viking grill covering burner condition, ignition system, gas regulator output pressure, all gas connections, heat plates, and overall structural condition. Annual service catches developing issues before they become expensive repairs and ensures your grill is safe to operate for another season.
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📍Philadelphia County
📍Montgomery County
📍Bucks County
📍Chester County
📍Delaware County
📍Camden NJ
📍Cherry Hill NJ
📍Moorestown NJ
📍Haddonfield NJ
📍Mount Laurel NJ
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