I've just tried using my gas grill for the first time in a few months,
but the flame starts burning down around the venturi, as well as up on
the burner where it's supposed to. This has been an occasional problem
in the past, but now it's at the point where I don't want to use the
grill. Any suggestions on what might be causing the problem?

I've tried adjusting the air/fuel mixture and the length of the venturi
tube, but neither makes any difference. The problem seemed to get
better when I removed the lava rocks and the grate that holds them, but
it didn't go away completely. Besides, it won't grill very well that
way.

The grill is an ancient post-mounted Charmglow burning natural gas.
The burner and venturi are only a couple of years old.

--
Ray Heindl
(remove the Xs to reply to: )