Instruction Manual for TAPPAN CONVERTA-COOK MODEL 13-1581-10 or O'Keefe & Merritt Converta-Grill

SOURCE: weber charcoal grill repair

I NEED MORE INFO, BUT I THINK THE HANDLE IS HELD BY TENSION FROM THE BRACKET. MOST LIKELY TARS AND AN ITEM WE CALL "VARNISH" IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY{ COOKED, ACCUMULATED FATS] HAVE JAMMED THE AREAS THAT ARE TO MOVE FREELY. LOOOK TO SEE IF THIS MAY BE THE CASE. FOR MOST APPLICATIONS TRY USING WD-40[NO OPEN FLAMES!!!] TO DESOLVE ANY BUILD-UP.(ALLOW TIME FOR WD TO WORK, MAY TAKE MORE THAN ONE APPLICATION)

SOURCE: Temp

Not sure on your climate.
But a Holland grill cooks cooler in the coller months and Hotter in the hotter months. This type of grill doesn't reach a very high setting approx: 400 degrees. It might reach higher temperatures in the hotter weather 450-475 degrees.

Also, it has to shut down the same way every time you use your grill.

Here is a Tip to fix a grill that not getting hot:
1. Turn the gas valve knob off. then close LP tank valve knob.
2. Unscrew the plastic hose coupling knob from the LP tank. You may hear a slight "hissing" sound as pressure is released this is normal.
3.Wait a minute then screw the coupling knob back on to LP Tank.
4.With lid open.slowly open LP tank valve.
5.Relight the grill the proper way by turning gas valve knob to ON position while turning the igniter knob at the same time.
6.After you are sure the grill is lit preheat the grill for 30 minutes.

This was called purging the line or releasing the air out of the line.

Another thing your orifice could be clogged with spiders or dirt. If it is LP gas check to make sure your hose is not kinked.

Hollands are known for the slow cooking process and a Healthy way of cooking!

SOURCE: gas grill overheated

I might have an Idea to what happened. All grills have a drip pan, most all new grills have a drain for grease that falls from our savory meats. Well, if, (not saying that you haven't) but if, you have not cleaned the drip pan, there is still grease left over that gets absorbed by food droppings. IF this is the case, you had a ticking time bomb of a grease fire. The grill did not overheat, the grease caught fire. You said your grill was a year old; so the regulator did not go full blast and when they do go bad they do not let gas pass through.

Not trying to preach to no one because I have done it myself, never leave your gas grill on and unattended. I hate to say it but even the owners manual says it.

I hope I did not come off the wrong way and I hope this might give you an idea/thought of what happened.

SOURCE: Weber Silver B grill

I bet your grill gets no hotter than about 300 with the lid closed?

The tank has a built in safety feature. If a burner is left on when you open the valve on the tank, or turned on too soon immediately after opening the valve on the tank, the flow will be restricted. You need to turn all burners off, close the tank valve, disconnect the tank, reconnect the tank, open the tank valve, waqit a few seconds, open the burner valve and light. You'll get unrestricted flow and much better heat.

SOURCE: Gas grill caught fire

The anwer is not the one you want before Labor day cook-outs. Since the unit is under recall, go the manufacture's site, or any site specified in the recall notices, and follow the directions, to get replacement parts for all damaged parts from the fire, as well as the original defective parts. Hopefully you can take the unit in for exchange for a fully assembled one. Be polite but firm in wanting the units assembled gratis.