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Owning a portable Coleman grill is a great convenience, giving you easy grilling no matter where you are.
If you regularly go camping, if you like to take road trips, or even if you like fishing or hunting, then a small and portable Coleman grill can be a great investment.
If you want to get the most from your grill then you need to keep it in good condition, and that can mean replacing parts when they have reached the end of life.
On a portable grill, the regulator assembly is one of the most stressed parts and one of the first that you will need to replace.
Here’s everything that you need to know about Coleman RoadTrip and portable grill regulators.
What is a Grill Regulator Used For?
Portable gas grills use bottled propane as a fuel source.
When you adjust the flame or temperature on your gas grill, you are controlling the pressure of the gas that is coming from the gas bottle.
The regulator is the mechanism that controls the base pressure coming into the grill.
If you have problems with your regulator, then it will be difficult to control the flame on your grill.
You may find that the flame is too high, inconsistent, or may not be enough to maintain a high temperature on your grill.
Faulty regulators can also lead to gas leakage and can be hazardous.
Thankfully, the regulator on your Coleman gas grill is replaceable, and it’s simple to do so when you have the right part.
Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Coleman RoadTrip Grill Regulator
Gas grills and similar appliances use regulators to maintain constant gas pressure.
When a regulator fails, the gas may shut off, flow at an unsafe rate, or flow intermittently.
There are a few tell-tale signs that indicate it’s time to replace your Coleman RoadTrip grill regulator.
- The flame of your gas grill is increasing and decreasing intermittently, even without adjusting the control knob. This is a problem known as incomplete combustion, and it’s caused by a faulty regulator.
- The flame on your grill is frequently changing color, from blue to a bright burning yellow. This can cause sooting on pots, pans, or ingredients cooked directly over the grid plates.
- You’re using more gas than usual. If your regulator is damaged or faulty, it could cause a higher-than-expected flow rate. This can be identified by the size of the flame and the temperature of your grill. You may have trouble controlling the flame with the control knobs. Coleman propane cylinders are designed to cook for a little over an hour on a 285-square-inch cooking surface. If you are unable to reach anything close to the manufacturer’s specifications, it’s likely time to replace your regulator.
- When a Coleman RoadTrip grill regulator is working as designed, the smell of the gas will only be faintly detected as you fire the grill up. A faulty diaphragm in the regulator can cause leaking, which you will smell constantly while the grill is on. This is dangerous, and you should immediately replace the regulator if you can smell gas while cooking.
If you’ve identified any of the above warning signs, it’s time to replace your regulator.
Thankfully, this is a relatively simple job and Coleman parts are widely available.
With the steps below, you’ll be able to safely install a new regulator and enjoy safe and efficient grilling for many seasons to come.
Replace Your Grill Regulator If It Has Been Waterlogged
While Coleman grills are designed to be used and enjoyed outdoors, there are some limitations on how resilient they are.
Coleman grills should not be exposed to rain or water for prolonged periods.
Never use a gas grill in the rain without cover, and don’t use your gas grill if it has been splashed by waves (for example, on a boat or river/lakeside) or completely submerged.
When a regulator is exposed to water, chemicals and debris will build up around the regulator spring.
Over time, this spring will corrode and fail.
If your regulator has been waterlogged, it’s time to go through the simple replacement process.
Finding the Right Coleman RoadTrip Grill Regulator
Coleman is a large and well-respected outdoor goods supplier, so buying a grill in the RoadTrip range is a good investment.
When you choose something that is both popular and backed by a large manufacturer, you can ensure that you will always be able to get replacement parts in the future.
With the RoadTrip range, you will enjoy standardized parts which make finding a regulator quite simple.
The Coleman 5430 Regulator is the standard replacement part to fit a variety of portable Coleman grills and stoves, including some RoadTrip models.
This regulator is used with disposable Coleman pressurized gas cylinders, and cannot be used with larger propane tanks.
Keep in mind that your grill is designed for portable use, so the regulator has been engineered with small and lightweight gas bottles in mind.
Replacing the Regulator on Your Portable Coleman Grill is a Simple Job and the Only Tool Needed is a Small Pair of Pliers
- Inspect the rear side of your Coleman RoadTrip grill and note the existing regulator. It will be secured to the grill with a brass-colored nut.
- Turn the nut counterclockwise to remove the regulator. If it cannot be removed by hand, then use a pair of pliers to remove it.
- Take your new regulator and line it up to the connection on your RoadTrip grill. Insert the regulator into the connector port. The nut should be sufficiently tightened by hand, but you may use pliers to ensure it is completely secure. Be sure not to over-tighten the nut, which could damage the thread and connector on your grill.
Safety First: Things to Keep in Mind When Replacing Your Coleman RoadTrip Grill Regulator
Coleman RoadTrip grills are designed to be user-friendly, with very few points of failure.
While replacing the regulator is a simple task, there are some important things to be mindful of.
Safety should always come first to protect yourself and others from accidents and injuries around your gas grill.
Gas regulators aren’t designed to be serviced.
Never attempt to dismantle your regulator or otherwise repair it.
Replacement is the only way to get your grill working safely again.
Never overtighten a gas regulator.
This can damage the thread and cause dangerous gas leaks.
It’s best to use only your hand to tighten the new regulator (RoadTrip Grills have been designed specifically for this).
If you need extra help due to a lack of mobility, arthritis, etc. you can use pliers to secure the connecting. Stop turning the pliers when you feel resistance.
This indicates that the regulator has been sufficiently tightened.
Ensure that the burners are set to the off position before you replace the regulator or connect a new portable gas canister.
This will protect the plastic bypass mechanism in your Coleman Roadtrip grill regulator.
Never try to force a regulator if it is not connecting.
It’s possible that you have purchased the wrong-sizeded regulator or received a faulty unit.
If the installation instructions don’t lead to a successful replacement, check that you have followed the three simple steps, and contact Coleman for advice regarding warranty and service.
Using a ColemaROAD TRIPip Grill Regulator with a Standard Propane Tank
As an owner of a Coleman grill, you will also know that the RoadTrip series is suited to home cooking for solo or family meals.
If you want to cook at home and would prefer to use a standard propane cylinder, you can do so with the help of a simple and affordable accessory.
Coleman recommends this hose and adaptor for models like the Coleman LXE.
Is it Time to Replace Your Coleman RoadTrip Grill?
Coleman is one of the world’s most trusted grill and outdoor product companies.
A RoadTrip grill is designed to last many seasons, whether you use it for tailgating, road trips, camping, or even cooking at home.
Your regulator is one of the most important elements of your system, and Coleman has designed it to be easily replaceable.
However, if you’re having other problems with your grill or you are simply looking for an update, you could consider a newer model.
The LXE offers several important features that make it a portable grilling powerhouse, including:
- Collapsing stand with wheels for portability.
- Up to 20,000 BTU cooking power.
- Compact flat design for easy storage when traveling.
- Matchless InstaStart system.
- Works with Coleman 1 lb. disposable propane canister.
- Cooks for up to four people.
Consider replacing your grill if it is outside of the warranty period and you need to replace several parts such as the stand, cooking grids, burners, regulator, etc.
In some cases, it will be more economical to replace the entire grill.
What to Do If You Can’t Find a Regulator for YouR ROAD TRIP Grill?
The Coleman 5430 Regulator is suitable for most RoadTrip grills, however, there will be some models that use regulators that aren’t offered through third-party suppliers.
If you find yourself in this situation, contact Coleman directly for warranty and parts service.
Replacing your regulator is a simple job and it will greatly extend the lifetime of your grill.
Whether you’re experienced or completely new to gas grill maintenance, this is one of the most important repairs that you can know.