Blackstone Griddle Not Getting Gas? Reset the Regulator

Quick answer: A Blackstone griddle not getting gas, or with flames that start strong and then drop to low, usually has a tripped flow-limiting safety device in the regulator. The fix is a reset: turn the knobs off, close the tank, disconnect the regulator, wait five minutes, reconnect, and open the tank slowly, one half turn. If that fails, check for an empty tank or a blocked burner.

That reset fixes the classic low-flame problem. It’s printed in Blackstone’s own manuals, almost word for word in both the 22 inch and 28 inch manuals I checked, and I’d try it before you take a single burner apart or order a new regulator online.

Here’s why it works, what else can starve the burners, and when a gas problem stops being a DIY job.

Why It Happens

Blackstone’s troubleshooting chapter lists these causes for weak heat and low flames. I’ve put the most common first.

1. The regulator’s safety device tripped. US rules require a flow-limiting device in every regulator. Opening the tank too fast, or with a burner knob not fully off, can trip it.
2. The propane tank is empty or nearly empty. Obvious, but easy to miss on a standard 20 lb (9 kg) tank.
3. Something is blocking the burner, gas jets or fuel rail. Spider webs and insect nests are the usual suspects.
4. A blocked air gate. This gives yellow, lazy flames instead of blue ones.
5. The regulator is stuck in its safety position. That one needs a replacement part.

What the Safety Device Actually Does

It helps to know what you’re resetting. Blackstone’s manual explains that the device measures how much propane flows through the regulator.

If the flow is too high, which is what a large leak looks like, it clamps down and restricts the flow. That cuts the chance of a dangerous fire. The catch is that a burner knob left open, or a tank valve spun open quickly, sends a surge that looks like a leak to the regulator.

So the device isn’t broken. It’s doing its job at the wrong moment. Waiting with the regulator disconnected lets the pressure settle so it can open fully again.

Signs It’s the Regulator

Blackstone groups these symptoms under the same gas-flow cause:

• The griddle never reaches high heat, or heats unevenly.
• Flames start strong, then drop to low even on high.
• Flame height drops when you light a second burner.
• Flames don’t run the full length of the burner.
• Flames flicker and won’t settle.

If you see any of those, the reset below is your first move. It’s free and takes about five minutes, so it goes first.

How to Fix It

Fix 1: Reset the Regulator

This is the sequence from Blackstone’s owner’s manuals. Do it outdoors, away from any flame.

1. Turn every burner knob to OFF.
2. Close the propane tank valve by turning the handwheel clockwise to a full stop.
3. Disconnect the regulator from the tank by hand.
4. Wait five minutes so the pressure in the line can dissipate.
5. Reconnect the regulator, keeping it straight so you don’t cross-thread it. Hand-tighten only.
6. Open the tank valve slowly, one half turn.
7. Light the griddle using your model’s ignition steps.

The trick is the slow, half-turn opening, with every knob off first. Cranking the valve open in one go is exactly what trips the safety device again.

My take: make it a habit. Knobs off, tank open slowly, then light. It saves you from repeating this reset every weekend.

Fix 2: Check the Tank

If the reset doesn’t help, the tank may simply be low. Blackstone’s fix is to refill or replace it.

One warning sign from the manual: a frosty regulator means the tank was overfilled. Close the tank valve right away and call your propane dealer. Don’t use it.

Fix 3: Clean the Burners and Air Gates

Blackstone says burners should come out and get cleaned once a year, or any time you find heavy buildup or insect nests. A pipe cleaner clears blocked burner holes, and a wire brush can take corrosion off the burner surface.

Two flame clues help here:

• Flame coming out of the air gate: Something is blocking the venturi inside the burner tube. Clean the burner assembly.
• Yellow or irregular flames: The air gate is blocked. Open any adjustable air shutters fully and clean spider webs, soot or debris off the bug shields.

A healthy flame, per Blackstone, may show a few flickers of yellow, then dark blue, then a bright blue near the burner tube. After cleaning, make sure the burner tubes are seated back on the valve openings. Blackstone stresses that point.

Fix 4: Check the Igniter Separately

Sometimes the gas is fine and the igniter isn’t. Blackstone’s test is simple: if a burner won’t light within 5 seconds, turn it off, wait 5 minutes, then try lighting it with a match or lighter no shorter than 11 inches, held at the side of the burner with the cooktop removed.

• It lights with a match: The gas is flowing. Replace the igniter battery, check it’s installed the right way, and make sure the igniter tip sits close to the burner, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch on the 28 inch model.
• It won’t light even with a match: The burners aren’t getting fuel. Go back to Fixes 1 to 3.

Never lean over the griddle while you light it.

Check for Gas Leaks Before You Cook Again

If you disconnected anything, run a leak test. Blackstone wants one every time you exchange or refill a tank, too.

1. Mix a mild soap and water solution. Blackstone calls for roughly 10 parts soap to 90 parts water.
2. With knobs off and the regulator connected, open the tank.
3. Brush the solution on the tank valve, the regulator and the hose joints.
4. Growing bubbles mean a leak. Close the tank and tighten the connection.

NFPA, the National Fire Protection Association, gives the same soapy-water advice for gas grills. And don’t skip the fire part of the rule: never use a flame to check for leaks.

How to Keep It From Happening Again

Most repeat cases come down to habits at the tank. These come straight from the manual’s fuel and care sections, and I’d treat them as a routine:

• Knobs off before the tank opens. Every single time.
• Open the tank slowly. A half turn is enough to cook.
• Turn the controls and the gas off when you’re done. Blackstone wants the tank disconnected whenever the griddle isn’t in use.
• Check the hose before each cook. Replace a cut or worn hose before you light up, using Blackstone approved parts only.
• Tighten the metal fittings once a year. The manual recommends an annual check.
• Store tanks outside. Never in a garage, a shed, a house or a hot car.
• Clean the burners yearly. Sooner if insects have been nesting over the winter.

None of this takes long. Two minutes, tops. In practice the first two habits matter most, because they’re exactly what the manual says trips the safety device.

When to Call a Professional

Some gas problems are not for the driveway. Stop and get help when:

• You hear a rushing sound when you open the tank. Blackstone calls that a major leak. Turn the gas off immediately.
• You smell, see or hear gas escaping. Get away from the tank and griddle and call the fire department.
• Bubbles keep growing after you tighten things. Don’t try to repair it. Blackstone says to call your propane supplier or the fire department.
• The regulator seems stuck in its safety position. Contact Blackstone customer service for parts. The manual says a failed regulator must be replaced with a Blackstone approved model by a licensed, authorized dealer.

Also, never hook a Blackstone tank griddle to an RV or camper’s built-in propane system. The manual forbids it.

Why Is My Blackstone Griddle Not Getting Gas After a Tank Swap?

It’s a classic moment for it. A fresh tank, a quick twist of the valve, and the safety device trips before the griddle even lights.

Run the reset in Fix 1, open the new tank slowly, and do a leak test on the new connection. Once it’s running right, a well-seasoned top keeps it cooking well; here’s why a Blackstone griddle keeps rusting and how to stop it. Browse more cooker fixes in Grills & Smokers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Reset My Blackstone Regulator?

Turn the knobs off, close the tank, and disconnect the regulator. Wait five minutes, reconnect it, open the tank slowly one half turn, then light the griddle.

Why Is My Blackstone Griddle Flame Low?

Usually the regulator’s flow-limiting device tripped, often from opening the tank too fast. An empty tank or a blocked burner can also cause it.

Why Is My Blackstone Griddle Not Getting Hot Enough?

The same culprits apply: a tripped regulator, a low tank, or blocked burners or air gates. Blackstone’s care guide also suggests preheating on medium for 3 to 5 minutes so the heat spreads across the top.

Why Does My Blackstone Flame Drop When I Light the Second Burner?

Blackstone lists that symptom under gas flow problems. Reset the regulator first, then check the tank level and clean the burners.

Can I Bypass the Regulator Safety Device?

No. It’s a required safety feature that limits gas flow if there’s a large leak. Reset it as described above, and replace a faulty regulator through Blackstone.

Last updated: November 10, 2026. Sources: Blackstone 28” griddle owner’s manual, model 1517 (PDF), Blackstone manuals by model, Blackstone griddle care guide and NFPA grilling safety.