DCS Grill Repair Secrets: Control Valve Adjustment

DCS Control Valve

When Dynamic Cooking Systems started manufacturing gas grills over twenty years ago the owners and designers met with several different manufacturing companies and gas grill technicians.  The features and benefits initiated by DCS are still copied by high-end barbecue companies today and some features are still advanced beyond barbecues designed recently.

This image is a DCS control valve as installed in a DCS Model BGA27.  The 27" gas grills were discontinued many years ago.  This is one of the later iterations evidenced by the venturi tube seen in the image attached at the back of the valve.  The original DCS grills used cast iron burners but the venturi tube in this image is stainless steel.

Today's grill technician secret is to disseminate a feature of the control valve that should be common knowledge among DCS owners and grill technicians alike.  Unfortunately most grill owners and many barbecue servicers do not know the features of the DCS control valve.

Notice there is a small screwdriver being inserted into the opening in the valve stem and extending into the valve body.  There is a small set screw inside the valve stem that allows the valve to be adjusted.  This is usually not necessary but every once in awhile a valve becomes damaged or a client wants to have the ability to alter the movement (hence the heat) of the control.  This small set-screw allows the control to be adjusted in tiny increments.

Also notice where the valve stem goes to the valve body is round.  There is a screw on the left and right and just to the right of the top of the curve at the top of the valve body there is a small notch.  This looks pretty useless and is easily overlooked; it could even seem a coincidence that the notch is a perfect size to insert those  tiny red straws that come with canisters of lubricants and many cleaning products.

When a DCS barbecue grill hood is closed to build up heat to grill or while cooking on the barbecue the closed hood creates a horizontal vent along the back of the BBQ for venting heat, carbon, smoke, grease, etc.  On occasion the wind can blow (this is described in the DCS user's manuals)
 at this vent and cause the inside the the grill to overheat.  Heat that should be circulating and escaping gets stuck in the grill and the control panel can be overheated.  If the chef is not paying attention the knobs will eventually melt off the grill.  Even when the cook is watching the heat can cause damage to the electrode wires, plastic rotary module, battery module, switch and other grill parts not intended to get hot.

When the heat is too intense inside the DCS gas grill -- and this is Very Hot as DCS that was the hottest barbecue grill on the market for many years -- the lubrication in the valve body can overheat and become gritty.  Eventually a small piece like a grain of sand can become ledged in the ball-valve and the valve will "freeze" which means the valve stem will no longer turn.  This little notch allows a degreaser or lubricant to be sprayed into the valve.

I usually spray the outside of the valve while pushing the stem in and out to get some of the degreaser into the sliding mechanisms and also spray into the notched opening allowing the moisture to push through all the pieces of the valve where movement occurs.

For assistance and additional information you can always contact us at Majestic Grill Parts via email at:

Service@Grill-Repair.com

through the telephone at:

954.247.4552 which is also 954-2-GRILL-2.

And we publish various tips and trick for repairing gas grills and gas fireplaces on our primary blog site at:

http://www.grill-repair.com/blog

If you have found some useful information on this post or on this site Please let us know.  Leave a comment below.  Your comments -- or your lack of comments -- will let us know if we should continue to post information about DCS gas BBQ grills, replacement parts for DCS gas grills and technical service suggestions about DCS Grills.

History and Replacement Gas Grill Parts for Charmglow Barbeque

The Good, Bad And Ugly about Charmglow Grill parts

Charmglow Grills is a name that most people are familiar with.  Models that were produced between 1960 and 1980 could very well still be in use today.  In the old days, if you wanted quality and great construction, Charmglow was the grill that your neighbors would turn green with envy over.

Beatrice Foods Company was one of the first owners that purchased Charmglow Grills during the early1980s and after a string of other owners, they ended up with Sunbeam.  It seemed that every company that touched the Charmglow made some type of changes but all in all, the line of grills remained sustainable and popular.

Charmglow Grills offers magnificent looking models such as the Charmglow 3, 4 and 5 Burner, the Charmglow Firepit, the Charmglow Gourmet, the Charmglow Island and the Charmglow Porcelain.  Shiny and new, these grills will draw your attention in any Home Depot store.  There are models that act as an oven, portable models and those featuring large work areas. 

Brinkmann manufactures some of the Charmglow Grills that are offered at Home Depot.  One of the most charming models is the Charmglow Ducane 3 burner stainless steel grill.  680 inches of cooking space, an EvenPlame system and a side burner for those last minute foods. 

Complaints began surfacing when, in 2004, the name, Charmglow, was sold again to Home Depot and one of the manufacturers was Nexgrill Industries.  In September of 2005, there was a huge recall of 86,000 stainless steel gas grill model 720-0036-HD-05 because the hose that connected the propane tank to the manifold was too close to the firebox, causing damage to the hose and subsequently, causing it to leak gas.  All of these units were sold through Home Depot from November 2004 through June 2005 for around $350.00.

Charmglow Grills are very attractive and inexpensive.  Coupled with the good older reputation of Charmglow Grills, Home Depot certainly thought that they had a winner.  But with a good name comes a standard to uphold.  Unfortunately, the next four years held a lot of disappointment for customers and Home Depot alike. 

Most of the complaints that have been recorded are the poor quality of workmanship that seems to have taken over the Charmglow name.  One of the most noted imperfections are the burners.  Failing to work in less than a year, rusting through beyond use or corroding to worn out pipes.  The grade of stainless steel is less than adequate for a piece of equipment that is expected to be used outdoors.  Also mentioned were welds that broke loose, rusting and flames that shot out of unusual places.  Other complaints include casters that collapse, dangerous loss of propane and totally blowing up.

Nexgrill Industries and Brinkmann are both suppliers of Charmglow replacement parts that can be purchased to totally rebuild your Charmglow Grill and many times the unit is still under warranty, backed by Home Depot.  Unfortunately, the customer is responsible for the shipping fees.  You also have to be sure that the body (which is not stainless steel, only the exterior), will hold together long enough to warrant new parts.

When you decide to shop for the perfect outdoor grill that you expect to last for at least ten years, don't let the brilliance of stainless steel fool you.  There are different grades of stainless steel plus you need to take a look inside and underneath of the model to see what other materials are used.  Knobs can also be misleading if they are of thin plastic that cannot take the heat.  Every model will have a manual that shares the type of parts used.  Go home and do your homework in looking up the manufacturers of these parts. 

Shop at other stores that offer compatible models and compare the differences.  A heavy model as opposed to a model weighing very little should indicate to you that the quality could not be as good.  Parts are going to wear out over time but you need a sturdy body that can withstand years of use.  It is better to settle for a smaller model that costs more than a large model that is not dependable in a year.

A warranty is only as good as what is warranted so be sure that everything is covered.  Necessary parts, shipping and service should not be your responsibility.  Sometimes purchasing a grill that costs under $1000 is not as great as it seems.  Especially when it is broken.    Charmglow Grills are an excellent example of this.

 http://www.grill-repair.com

Dynamic Cooking Systems 

DCS Grill Parts

DCS replacement burner

DCS replacement cooking grates

DCS rod trays and lava rock trays

DCS ignitors, control knobs, valve

Dynamic Cooking Systems (DCS) is one the country’s best manufacturers of indoor, outdoor cooking systems and accessories. In particular, their grills and related accessories are amongst the markets best. Established in 1989, DCS has more than 20 years experience crafting fine grills and food preparation products.

DCS has on staff, top-tier designers and engineers, many whom are the best in the industry. Their hardworking and innovative product development department help keep the company atop the outdoor grilling market. Individuals who choose to invest in products manufactured by Dynamic Cooking Systems will find commercial-quality, high end grills and cooking products and accessories.

In 2004, DCS was sold to Fisher & Paykel Appliances. This highly respected and global company has helped take DCS to the next level.  Fisher & Paykel are one of the leading brands in New Zealand and Australia. Their product line is available in an impressive number of countries over 40.

Headquartered right here in the United States, Huntington Beach, California, DCS and Fisher & Paykel together have become one of the most respected manufactures of commercial quality, indoor and outdoor cooking systems and accessories. DCS products are available in more than 2500 storefronts in North America, including www.Grill-Repair.com.

 

Looking To Get The Most Out of Your DCS Grill: Give These Recipes A Try!

Simple Succulent Salmon

Ingredients:

4-6 Salmon Steaks

Sauce

1 TBS Lemon Juice

3 TBS Butter (melted)

1 TBS White Wine Vinegar

¼ Tsp. Garlic Salt

¼ Tsp. Salt

¼ Tsp. Grated Lemon Peel

Grilling Instructions:
Gather all of the sauce ingredients and combine. Stir thoroughly. Brush both sides of the salmon steaks with sauce (generously). Use a barbeque cover or make a foil tent over the salmon. Grill for roughly 6-8 minutes per side.  Consider the thickness of the salmon steaks. Thicker steaks will take longer to grill.  Baste throughout cooking time. Turn salmon over once during cooking process. Spread additional sauce mixture on the fish after you turn it. Steaks should be done when the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Quick Marinated Chicken

Ingredients:

4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast Halves

Marinade

¼ C Dijon Mustard

2 TBS Lemon Juice

1 ½ Tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

¼ Black Pepper

Grilling Instructions:

Combine the marinade ingredients. Spread on each side of the chicken breasts. Place breasts in dish or on a plate. Marinated for 15 minutes. If you have more time, allow the breasts to sit in the refrigerator for 1-4 hours. When ready to prepare, grill chicken uncovered over medium coals. Turn once. Cooking time should take 10-15 minutes or until juices from the chicken are clear. Add your favorite barbeque sauce and enjoy!

DCS gas grill user manuals added to site

DCS user manuals are available at www.grill-repair.com for the BGB gas grills, including DCS grill models BGB36-bqarl/n, BGB30-BQARL/n, BGB48-BQARL/N and BGB 48-BQRL/N (48" DCS gas barbecue grill with the integrated sideburners. These use and care manuals are available at grill-repair.com for reading, printing or download. DCS Use and care manuals include installing, troubleshooting and safe usage of DCS gas barbeque grill.

We have also posted some additional DCS users manuals at grill-repair.com that cover newer DCS gas grills and related built in accessories for outdoor kitchen grill island construction.

The DCS Liberty collection is the newest gas grill models by DCS as Fisher & Paykel. The Liberty model grill is a 30"gas grill that has been finely tuned to create searing temperatures without an infrared sear burner and without a broiling hood. The other Liberty collection DCS models and combinations of gas griddle, double side burner, sink/cooler and very functional carts with lots of pull out drawers for LP tank or trash. DCS Liberty grill users manual.

We have also added the DCS side burner replacement parts guide and users manual, the BGA 27" gas grill, and the DCS outdoor warming drawer.

And as always your DCS replacement parts are always available and in stock for DCS gas BBQ grill repairs.

DCS replacement burner

DCS replacement cooking grates

DCS heat shields and rod trays

DCS repair parts

In addition to the replacement parts listed above, there are many DCS replacement parts that are not listed on our web site because we do not stock these parts. However, bult in accessories, heavy finger grates, and other DCS replacement parts are available for special order at www.grill-repair.com and

954-2-GRILL-2.

Dynamic Cooking Systems - DCS is one of the most well know high quality gas grills in the country. We have been providing repair service, selling and building islands around DCS gas grills for over fifteen years.

DCS grills have evolved and changed ownership throughout that time but the DCS gas grill is still among the best quality available. Our service technicians provide manufacturer warranty service for DCS and we stock most of the replacement parts for repair service.

We also stock replacement parts for DCS gas grills that are no longer manufactured and the parts manuals and the users manuals that came with the grill. DCS replacement gas burners are available, dcs replacement cooking grates are available in a variety of sizes and styles. DCS heat shields, rod trays and ignition kits for automatic starts are all stocked.