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ANSI Z21.60-2017 / CSA 2.26-2017: Comprehensive Guide to Portable Outdoor Gas-Fired Cooking Appliance Standards
Ensuring Safety and Performance for Portable Gas Grills Through Rigorous Certification Requirements
Scope and Purpose
ANSI Z21.60-2017 / CSA 2.26-2017 applies to portable outdoor gas-fired cooking appliances intended for household use. These include but are not limited to portable gas grills, tabletop grills, and outdoor gas stoves that use natural gas, propane, or butane as fuel. The standard sets minimum safety and performance requirements to prevent hazards such as gas leaks, uncontrolled fires, explosions, and exposure to elevated carbon monoxide levels.
The standard excludes built-in outdoor cooking appliances, commercial cooking equipment, and appliances designed solely for use indoors. It also does not cover appliances with electric heating elements or those fueled by charcoal or wood. The scope includes appliances with a self-contained LP-gas supply (e.g., integral cylinder) and those designed for connection to a remote fuel source.
Key objectives include ensuring structural integrity, reliable fuel control, adequate combustion performance, and clear user instructions. The 2017 edition incorporates revisions to increase clarity of labeling requirements, enhance test methods for regulator performance, and align more closely with current industry practices.
Technical Requirements
Construction and Materials
Materials used in the appliance must be suitable for outdoor exposure and rated for the maximum temperatures encountered during normal operation. All exposed metal parts, except those with corrosion-resistant coatings, must be made of stainless steel or equivalent. Enclosure panels, doors, and handles must withstand mechanical abuse and environmental degradation.
The standard specifies minimum thickness for sheet metal parts: typically 0.024 in. (0.61 mm) for painted carbon steel and 0.018 in. (0.46 mm) for stainless steel. Cast iron parts must have a minimum thickness of 0.10 in. (2.5 mm). Table 1 provides a summary of key material thickness requirements.
| Component Material | Minimum Thickness (in.) | Minimum Thickness (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon steel (painted) | 0.024 | 0.61 |
| Stainless steel | 0.018 | 0.46 |
| Cast iron | 0.10 | 2.5 |
| Aluminum | 0.032 | 0.81 |
Gas System and Pressure Regulation
The gas supply system must include a pressure regulator designed to deliver a consistent outlet pressure. For LP-gas appliances operating at 11 in. WC (water column), the regulator must be factory-set and fixed. The 2017 edition introduces stricter flow capacity requirements to prevent starvation during high-demand operation. The hose and connector assembly must meet specific leakage and flow criteria.
Leak testing: All gas-carrying components must be leak-tested using a pressure decay method at 15 psi or equivalent. Maximum allowable leak rate is 0.13 ft³/hr for internal leakage and 0.06 ft³/hr for external leakage.
Burner Performance
Burners must provide stable ignition and sustained combustion under wind conditions up to 10 mph (16 km/h). The standard mandates that during a 2-minute wind test, the burner must not extinguish or produce flashback. Additionally, the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide ratio (CO/CO₂) must not exceed 0.065 at the applied input rate.
Input rates must be marked on the appliance and must not deviate by more than ±10% from the rated value when tested at the standard test pressures (11 in. WC for LP-gas, 7 in. WC for natural gas).
Tip: When designing burners for compliance, consider using elevated ports and wind shields to meet the 10 mph wind stability requirement. Ensure thorough mixing of air and fuel to keep CO/CO₂ ratio below the threshold.
Valve and Ignition Systems
Valves must meet cycle life requirements: 12,000 full-on/full-off cycles without failure. The valve must incorporate a positive shutoff feature. For electric ignitions, the system must produce a spark at the burner with an electrode gap as specified by the manufacturer; failure to ignite in 4 seconds of normal use may require redesign.
The ignition system must be tested for reliability in both dry and wet conditions.
Safety Devices
All appliances must be equipped with a flame supervision device (FSD) that shuts off the flow of gas within 30 seconds if the burner flame is extinguished. The FSD must operate on all burners mounted to the manifold. Additionally, the appliance must undergo a stability test: it must not tip over when placed on a 15° incline with a full propane cylinder and cooking weight applied.
Implementation Highlights
Manufacturers aiming for ANSI/CSA certification should design appliances with the following points in mind:
- Corrosion resistance: Use appropriate coatings or stainless steel for all external and internal components exposed to weather.
- Labeling: Permanent labels must include model number, fuel type, gas pressure, BTU/hr ratings, and symbols to indicate compliance. The 2017 edition requires that warnings about combustible materials and carbon monoxide hazards be included.
- Instruction Manual: Must contain clear instructions for assembly, installation, operation, maintenance, and safe storage. Warnings about loose connections, leak testing, and proximity to combustibles are mandatory.
- Regulator and Hose: Inspect for compliance with applicable component standards, such as ANSI Z21.54 for gas hoses and ANSI Z21.58 for quick-disconnect connectors. The assembly must incorporate a flow-limiting device (Type I connection) to prevent excessive gas release.
Warning: A common non-compliance issue is using a regulator not listed to the relevant standard. Ensure that all gas