Why Uneven Flames Mean You Need BBQ Grill Cleaning Los Angeles

If you’ve ever fired up your BBQ and noticed one side blazing hot while the other barely heats up, you’re not imagining things. Uneven flames are one of the most common gas grill problems — and they’re usually a warning sign that something inside your grill needs attention.

In Los Angeles, where backyard grilling happens year-round, this issue shows up often. The good news? Uneven BBQ flames are usually fixable. The bad news? Ignoring them can lead to poor cooking performance, flare-ups, or even long-term grill damage.

Let’s break down why your BBQ flames are uneven, what it means, and when it’s time to call for professional grill cleaning.

1. Clogged Burner Ports (Most Common Cause)

Inside your gas grill are long metal tubes called burners. Along each burner are tiny holes — called ports — where gas flows out and ignites.

Over time, grease, carbon, food debris, and even insects can clog these small openings.

When that happens, you’ll notice:

• Weak flames on one side

• Gaps in the flame line

• Yellow or orange flames instead of steady blue

• Sections that won’t light at all
  

Even a small blockage can disrupt gas flow and cause uneven heat distribution.

In many cases, clogged burners are directly caused by grease buildup — which is why routine grill cleaning is essential.

2. Grease Buildup Blocking Airflow

Gas grills rely on proper airflow to mix gas and oxygen correctly. If grease accumulates in the firebox or on heat shields, airflow becomes restricted.

This can result in:

• Flames that flicker unevenly

• One side cooking hotter than the other

• Excess smoke

• Frequent flare-ups
  

In Los Angeles homes, where grilling is frequent, grease accumulates faster than people expect. What starts as a thin coating turns into hardened carbon over time — and that buildup interferes with performance.

If your grill hasn’t been deep cleaned in several months, airflow restriction is likely part of the problem.

3. Burner Tube Damage or Corrosion

If your grill is several years old and exposed to outdoor elements, burner tubes may corrode or crack.

Signs of burner damage include:

• Flames shooting out of the sides of the burner

• Extremely high heat in one section

• Uneven ignition

• Rust flakes inside the grill
  

Coastal areas of Los Angeles are especially prone to corrosion due to salt air exposure.

Sometimes burners need replacement. But often, what appears to be “damage” is actually heavy carbon buildup altering flame direction.

A professional inspection can determine the difference.

4. Misaligned Heat Shields or Flame Tamers

Under your grill grates, you’ll find metal shields that sit above the burners. These distribute heat evenly and prevent grease from dripping directly onto flames.

If these shields are:

• Warped

• Out of position

• Covered in thick grease

• Rusted through
  

They can redirect heat unevenly.

You may notice:

• Hot spots in specific areas

• Food burning on one side

• Cool zones elsewhere
  

Proper cleaning restores heat shields to function correctly. If shields are beyond repair, replacing them is much cheaper than replacing the entire grill.

5. Gas Regulator or Pressure Issues

Less commonly, uneven flames may be caused by gas pressure imbalance.

Possible signs:

• All burners seem weak

• Flames suddenly drop low

• Grill won’t reach proper temperature
  

Sometimes the gas regulator safety mechanism triggers if the tank was opened too quickly. Resetting the regulator can fix it.

However, if pressure issues persist, it may indicate:

• Faulty regulator

• Blocked gas line

• Internal contamination
  

In this case, professional servicing is recommended.

6. Spiders and Insect Blockages (Yes, Really)

This surprises many homeowners — but spiders are attracted to the smell of gas.

They sometimes build webs inside burner tubes, especially if a grill sits unused for a while.

Webs can block gas flow and cause:

• Uneven flames

• Popping sounds

• Delayed ignition

• Flames coming from unexpected areas
  

This is more common than people think in Southern California.

Regular maintenance prevents this problem entirely.

What Uneven Flames Mean for Your Cooking

Uneven flames don’t just look concerning — they affect how your food turns out.

You may experience:

• One side of steak overcooked

• Chicken burning outside but raw inside

• Vegetables cooking inconsistently

• Longer preheat times

• Temperature instability
  

Grilling should be controlled and predictable. If you’re constantly rotating food to avoid burning, your grill isn’t performing properly.

Is It Dangerous?

It can be.

Uneven flames often signal grease accumulation. And grease buildup is the leading cause of grill fires.

If you notice:

• Flames flaring aggressively

• Fire inside the firebox

• Heavy smoke even before cooking

• Knobs or front panel getting hot
  

Your grill may not just be dirty — it may be unsafe.

Routine professional grill cleaning significantly reduces fire risk.

How Often Should You Clean Your Grill to Prevent This?

If you grill:

• 1–2 times per month → Deep clean every 6–12 months

• Weekly → Every 4–6 months

• Multiple times per week → Every 3–4 months
  

Brushing the grates after cooking helps — but it does not remove internal grease, clogged burners, or carbon buildup.

Deep cleaning requires disassembling:

• Grates

• Heat shields

• Burners

• Grease trays
  

Most homeowners don’t go this far — which is why uneven flames become common.

DIY Fix vs Professional Grill Cleaning

You can try:

• Removing and brushing burners

• Checking alignment of heat shields

• Resetting the gas regulator

However, if buildup is heavy, DIY cleaning may only partially solve the issue.

Professional grill cleaning includes:

• Burner port clearing

• Degreasing firebox interior

• Removing hardened carbon

• Restoring airflow

• Polishing stainless steel
  

After a proper cleaning, flames should be:

• Even

• Steady

• Blue in color

• Consistent across burners
  

That’s how a healthy gas grill should operate.

When to Schedule BBQ Grill Cleaning Los Angeles

You should consider professional grill cleaning in Los Angeles if:

• Flames are uneven across burners

• Grill hasn’t been deep cleaned in 6+ months

• You notice frequent flare-ups

• Food tastes burnt or bitter

• Grill struggles to reach temperature
  

It’s better to fix the problem early than replace expensive components later.

Professional Grill Cleaning in Los Angeles

If your BBQ flames are uneven, it’s likely time for a proper internal cleaning.

Grill Cleaning Los Angeles specializes in stainless steel gas grill cleaning. Their deep cleaning process restores burner performance, improves heat distribution, and reduces fire hazards.

Instead of dealing with frustrating hot spots or flare-ups, you can get your grill back to performing like it should.

👉 Schedule your professional service today:https://www.grillcleaninglosangeles.com/

Even flames. Better flavor. Safer grilling.