What It Means If Your Gas Grill Makes A Humming Sound

Baseball may be America's favorite summer pastime, but backyard grilling comes in close. According to CNN, 75% of Americans own a backyard grill or smoker, and there's no better time to use it than in the Summer. They're a great way to make the most of a beautiful day while cooking up vegetables, fruits, fish, hot dogs, hamburgers, or steaks.

Outdoor cooking has come a long way from the days of our ancestors who first held meat over a fire. These days, there are smokers, charcoal grills, infrared grills, and the classic propane-fueled grills. The propane grill was invented in the 1960s. Popular Mechanics notes that it was first invented to help sell natural gas. Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company's William G. Wepfer and Melton Lancaster were the first to design a propane grill. Their original was a redesign of a classic charcoal grill that ran on bottled propane. The grills caught on quickly despite being pricier than their counterparts because they were easier to use.

It's wise to use caution when working with an open flame. Gas grilling is no different, and while it can be alarming to hear unexpected noises coming from your grill, it might not always be a major concern.

Any humming while your grill is on may be a sign that there's something wrong beyond the typical annoying sound, but it's typically nothing serious. As Charbroil notes, a humming sound most often comes from the grill's pressure regulator. Regulators have a rubber diaphragm that helps control the amount of gas allowed in the valve (via Broil King). On hotter days or when the tank has been overfilled, the diaphragm can start to vibrate and create a humming sound.

More often than not, it isn't a cause to worry. There is nothing wrong with the grill as long as there isn't a propane odor in the air; the humming should subside eventually. According to SFGATE, it could also be loose parts vibrating or an air bubble in the propane hose that causes the humming. As long as there is no odor in the air, it is usually safe to continue operating your grill. If there is an odor, the grill should be turned off immediately and set aside from any structures until a technician can review the parts. This ensures that there are no dangerous leaks.