Igniter getting hot

[Pc]

Hey guys. This is my first post. I've had a Weber kettle for a long time and just recently I picked up a blue performer off craigslist. What an upgrade! The igniter was shot so I ordered and installed a new one. I think it works fine. My question is this: the burner tube gets extremely hot. The wires attached to the igniter are also extremely hot. I can see a blue flame through the small openings in the burner tube where the gas line connects outside of the kettle. Is it normal operation for the flame to originate right where the gas hose connects to to the burner tube? Basically the whole burner tube is filled with flame causing it to get hot outside of the kettle. Just wondering if this is normal and safe. Thanks in advance.

[Hell Fire Grill]

Could be a dead bug in the tube. Check that or just blow it out with some compressed air.

[Idahawk]

The only place you should see flames @PC is inside the bowl , your burner tube may be plugged or your having a regulator issue , clean the tube , there are threads here that cover that process and then report back


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[mirkwood]

No that is not normal or safe, pull the wire clip that holds the gas line to the burner tube, disconnect the igniter wires and unbolt the burner tube from the
bowl and remove anything that is blocking the flow of gas/oxygen mix. HFG, Idahawk are on the right track here..
 

[Pc]

Thanks for the replies. I'll check for any obstruction.

[mike.stavlund]

+1 to everything above. Take it apart and make sure everything is flowing freely. 

[toolhead]

Its orobably a load of spent charcoal in the burner tube.disconnect and blow it out

Sounds like gas is blocked and backing up

[pbe gummi bear]

Also check that the orifice in the brass fitting isn't corroded.

[addicted-to-smoke]

^^ Yes, and the wire from a bread loaf tie is about the right size to carefully insert into the brass oriface.

And if you've got a shop vac you can just vacuum out ash from whichever end of the burner tube you have access to.

Here's a quick 'n dirty shot I just now took, a little blue is probably OK but you're looking for a yellow/orange flame in a wide V shape at least 3-4 inches long:

[Pc]

As suggested above, I think spent charcoal was the culprit. The gas was backing up and burning in the tube.I gave everything a good cleaning and it is functioning properly now. Thanks again for the replies.

[mirkwood]

That's great, glad it worked out for ya..

[1911Ron]

Glad you got it sorted out!