Fixing Your Viking Barbecue: Common Issues and When to Hire a Pro

Fixing Your Viking Barbecue

Viking barbecues are known for their high-quality performance, durability, and design. They offer a variety of models and features to suit your outdoor cooking needs, from gas grills to charcoal smokers to electric ovens. However, like any appliance, they may sometimes encounter some problems that affect their functionality or safety. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common problems that Viking barbecue owners may face, how to troubleshoot them, and when to call a professional service for help.

Problem: Barbecue Won’t Start

One of the most frustrating problems that you may encounter with your Viking barbecue is when it won’t start at all. This could be due to several reasons, such as:

  • The propane tank is empty or not connected properly. Check the level of the propane tank and make sure it is securely attached to the hose and regulator. You may also need to replace the regulator if it is faulty or damaged.
  • The igniter is not working or has a loose connection. Check the wires and electrodes of the igniter and make sure they are clean and intact. You may need to replace the igniter if it is worn out or broken.
  • The gas valves are clogged or blocked. Check the gas valves and orifices and make sure they are free of dirt, grease, or debris. You may need to clean them with a wire brush or compressed air.
  • The burners are dirty or corroded. Check the burners and make sure they are clean and in good condition. You may need to remove them and soak them in a solution of vinegar and water for a few hours, then rinse and dry them thoroughly.

If none of these solutions work, you may have a more serious problem with your barbecue, such as a faulty control panel, thermostat, or gas supply line. In this case, you should call a professional service for assistance.

Problem: Burners Ignite Only Partially or Only Some Burners Ignite

Another common problem that you may face with your Viking barbecue is when the burners ignite only partially or only some of them ignite. This could be due to several reasons, such as:

  • The gas pressure is too low or too high. Check the pressure gauge on the propane tank and make sure it is within the recommended range. You may also need to adjust the regulator if it is not set correctly.
  • The gas flow is restricted or interrupted. Check the gas hoses and connections and make sure they are not kinked, twisted, or damaged. You may also need to replace the hoses if they are cracked or leaking.
  • The burner ports are clogged or blocked. Check the burner ports and make sure they are free of dirt, grease, or debris. You may need to clean them with a wire brush or compressed air.
  • The flavor grids are dirty or misaligned. Check the flavor grids and make sure they are clean and properly positioned over the burners. You may need to remove them and wash them with warm soapy water, then dry them thoroughly.

If none of these solutions work, you may have a more serious problem with your barbecue, such as a faulty igniter, valve, or burner. In this case, you should call a professional service for assistance.

Problem: Strange Smells or Odors Coming from Barbecue

Another common problem that you may encounter with your Viking barbecue is when you notice strange smells or odors coming from it. This could be due to several reasons, such as:

  • The grease pan is full or overflowing. Check the grease pan and make sure it is not too full or spilling over. You may need to empty it and clean it regularly.
  • The briquettes are dirty or saturated. Check the briquettes and make sure they are not too dirty or soaked with grease. You may need to replace them periodically.
  • The food residue is burned or stuck on the grates or flavor grids. Check the grates and flavor grids and make sure they are not too dirty or charred. You may need to scrape off any food residue and wash them with warm soapy water, then dry them thoroughly.
  • The gas supply is contaminated or expired. Check the gas supply and make sure it is not contaminated with water, dirt, or other substances. You may also need to replace the propane tank if it is past its expiration date.

If none of these solutions work, you may have a more serious problem with your barbecue, such as a gas leak, a faulty regulator, or a defective burner. In this case, you should call a professional service for assistance.

Problem: Smoking Barbecue

Another common problem that you may face with your Viking barbecue is when it produces too much smoke while cooking. This could be due to several reasons, such as:

  • The food is too fatty or marinated. Check the food and make sure it is not too fatty or marinated with sugary or acidic sauces. You may need to trim off any excess fat or wipe off any excess marinade before cooking.
  • The temperature is too high or too low. Check the temperature and make sure it is not too high or too low for the type of food you are cooking. You may need to adjust the knobs or the thermostat accordingly.
  • The airflow is insufficient or blocked. Check the airflow and make sure it is not insufficient or blocked by the lid, the vents, or the surroundings. You may need to open the lid or the vents slightly or move the barbecue to a more open area.
  • The wood chips are too wet or too dry. Check the wood chips and make sure they are not too wet or too dry for smoking. You may need to soak them in water for about 30 minutes or dry them in the sun for about an hour before using them.

If none of these solutions work, you may have a more serious problem with your barbecue, such as a faulty thermometer, a damaged burner, or a malfunctioning smoker. In this case, you should call a professional service for assistance.

When to Call a Professional Service

While some of the problems that you may encounter with your Viking barbecue can be easily fixed by yourself, some of them may require professional help. You should call a professional service if:

  • You are not comfortable or confident with troubleshooting or repairing your barbecue by yourself.
  • You do not have the necessary tools, parts, or skills to troubleshoot or repair your barbecue by yourself.
  • You have tried all the possible solutions and none of them worked.
  • You have noticed any signs of gas leakage, fire hazard, electrical shock, or other safety risks.

A professional service can provide you with expert advice, diagnosis, and repair for your Viking barbecue. They can also offer you warranty coverage, maintenance tips, and replacement parts if needed.

Top Viking Barbecue Models and Parts

Viking offers a range of barbecue models and parts to suit your outdoor cooking needs. Some of the top Viking barbecue models and parts are:

  • Viking Professional 5 Series Gas Grill: This is a premium gas grill that features stainless steel burners, flavor grids, grates, and warming racks. It also has an infrared sear burner, a rotisserie system, a smoker box, and a grill lighting system. It comes in 30-inch, 36-inch, 42-inch, and 54-inch sizes.
  • Viking Professional Outdoor Grills: These are high-performance outdoor grills that feature stainless steel burners, flavor grids, grates, and warming racks. They also have an electric oven, a surface cooking unit, and a cart option. They come in 24-inch and 30-inch sizes.
  • Viking Professional Charcoal Smoker: This is a versatile charcoal smoker that features stainless steel grates, racks, and drip pans. It also has an adjustable charcoal tray, a temperature gauge, and a smoker box. It comes in 24-inch size.
  • Viking Professional Electric Smoker Oven: This is an innovative electric smoker oven that features stainless steel racks and drip pans. It also has an electronic control panel, a temperature probe, and a convection fan. It comes in 30-inch size.

Some of the most common parts that you may need to replace or repair for your Viking barbecue are:

  • Igniter: This is the part that sparks the gas to ignite the burners. You may need to replace it if it is not working or has a loose connection.
  • Burner: This is the part that produces the flame for cooking. You may need to replace it if it is dirty, corroded, clogged, or damaged.
  • Valve: This is the part that controls the gas flow to the burners. You may need to replace it if it is faulty, leaking, or stuck.
  • Regulator: This is the part that regulates the gas pressure from the propane tank to the barbecue. You may need to replace it if it is faulty, damaged, or incompatible.
  • Flavor Grid: This is the part that distributes the heat evenly and vaporizes the drippings for flavor. You may need to replace it if it is dirty, warped, cracked, or rusted.
  • Grate: This is the part that holds the food for cooking. You may need to replace it if it is dirty, chipped, bent, or rusted.
  • Warming Rack: This is the part that keeps the food warm after cooking. You may need to replace it if it is dirty, warped, cracked, or rusted.
  • Grease Pan: This is the part that collects the grease and drippings from cooking. You may need to replace it if it is full, overflowing, dented, or rusted.
  • Briquette: This is the part that provides radiant heat and reduces flare-ups. You may need to replace it if it is dirty, saturated, broken, or missing.
  • Thermometer: This is the part that measures the temperature of the barbecue or the food. You may need to replace it if it is inaccurate, broken, or missing.

These are some of the most common problems, solutions, and parts for your Viking barbecue. We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us or visit our website for more information. Thank you for choosing Viking!