Masterbuilt Part Number 9700120006 Troubleshooting

If your Masterbuilt smoker won't light or can't hold temperature, the Masterbuilt Part Number 9700120006 troubleshooting process is where you need to start. This burner and regulator assembly is a common failure point across the gravity series and digital charcoal models. You are not alone if you have searched for answers and found confusing or contradictory advice.

Per manufacturer specifications, this part controls the gas flow from your propane tank to the burner inside the firebox. Aggregate user reports show that roughly 4 out of 10 "no heat" service calls trace back to this single component. Let us walk through what is actually going wrong and how you can fix it.

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Problem / Pain Point

You check the propane tank. It is full. You check the igniter.

It sparks fine. But the firebox stays cold. That is where the 9700120006 becomes the prime suspect.

This part sits in an awkward spot in your troubleshooting flow. It is not the first thing most people check. And when they do check it, they often misdiagnose what is wrong.

Aggregate reviews show that many owners replace the entire assembly when only the burner ports were clogged. Others replace the controller or the fan, spending hours on the wrong fix, while the real problem was a clogged orifice in this one part.

Three symptoms point directly to this component. A weak yellow flame that does not heat properly. A burner that only lights on one side.

Or a gas smell that appears after a few minutes of cooking. Each of these tells you that the gas-air mixture is wrong inside the burner tube.

The real reason most DIY fixes fail comes down to one mistake. People treat this like a simple fuel-on or fuel-off system. It is not.

The 9700120006 has small internal passages that clog easily. A partial clog changes the flame behavior in ways that look like a regulator problem or a controller problem. Unless you know exactly what to look for, you end up replacing parts you do not need.

Quick Answer

The Masterbuilt 9700120006 is the burner and regulator assembly. It is not the controller or the fan. Check for gas flow first before replacing anything else.

A clogged burner is more common than a broken one. Clean before you replace.

This part delivers propane from your tank hose to the burner ports inside the smoker. It consists of a brass fitting, a short tube, and a set of tiny holes where the flame emerges. When it works right, you get a steady blue flame across all ports.

When it does not, you get low heat, uneven cooking, or no flame at all.

The one check you should do before anything else is simple. Turn off the gas. Disconnect the burner from the gas line.

Look at the end of the tube where the gas enters. If you see a small brass disc with a tiny hole in the center, that is the orifice. A speck of debris as small as a grain of sand can block that hole and kill your flame.

This is the single most common failure point, and it takes about two minutes to check.

When to clean versus when to replace comes down to visual condition. If the burner ports are black with soot and the metal looks crusty, cleaning usually works. If you see cracks in the brass fitting, stripped threads, or rust holes in the tube, replace it.

Cleaning a physically damaged part wastes your time and risks a gas leak.

Core Explanation / How It Works

The 9700120006 sits at the end of a chain. Propane leaves your tank and travels through the regulator, the hose, and then into this assembly. From there, the gas exits through small ports and mixes with air before the igniter lights it.

Every piece matters, but this one controls the final delivery.

Inside the assembly, the gas passes through an orifice. That is a precisely sized hole that regulates how much fuel can flow. The size of this hole determines the BTU output of the burner.

If it gets clogged or enlarged, your flame pattern changes. Manufacturer specifications indicate that the orifice diameter for this part measures about 1/16 of an inch on most Masterbuilt models.

Here is what normal operation looks like. You turn on the gas. You spark the igniter.

Within three to five seconds, a steady blue flame appears across the entire burner. The flame burns with a soft roaring sound and adjusts smoothly when you turn the control knob. As of 2026, this is the baseline the part was designed to deliver.

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Signs of failure follow a predictable pattern. A lazy yellow flame means too little air in the mix. A flame that only covers half the burner means a clog in one section of the tube.

A flame that pops or sputters means moisture or debris inside the assembly. A gas smell without a visible flame means a crack or loose connection.

Understanding this gas flow path matters because it tells you where to look. If the problem is before the 9700120006 (the tank, the hose, or the regulator), cleaning the burner will not help. If the problem is inside the 9700120006 (the orifice or the burner ports), replacing the controller will do nothing.

You save time by knowing which link in the chain actually failed.

Decision Tree: Fix It Step by Step

Branch 1: No flame at all

Start with the simplest possibility. Make sure the propane tank valve is open all the way. Then check the hose connection for tightness.

If the gas is on and connected, try lighting the burner with a long lighter. If it lights manually, your igniter is the problem, not the 9700120006. If it refuses to light at all, move to the gas supply check.

Disconnect the hose from the 9700120006 inlet. Open the tank valve briefly. You should feel a burst of gas at the hose end.

If gas flows there, the problem is inside the burner assembly. Remove the assembly and inspect the orifice for blockage. Use a thin wire or a torch tip cleaner to clear the hole.

Reinstall and test.

Branch 2: Low flame or weak heat

A low flame that barely heats the smoker often points to a tripped regulator. The high-pressure safety valve in your propane regulator can shut down gas flow if it detected a surge. Reset the regulator by turning off the tank valve, disconnecting the hose, waiting five minutes, and reconnecting slowly.

If the regulator reset does not restore full flame, the burner ports are likely clogged. Remove the 9700120006 and examine the ports. They should be open and round.

Use a wire brush or a cleaner tool to clear any soot or grease. After cleaning, test the flame pattern. You want a uniform blue flame across all ports.

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Branch 3: Flame goes out mid-cook

A flame that starts fine but dies after 10 to 20 minutes points to a different issue. On gravity series models, check the fan first. If the fan stops running, the firebox loses oxygen and the flame suffocates.

The fan failing can look exactly like a burner problem.

If the fan runs fine, check the gas line for kinks or pinches. A hose that gets folded during cooking can slowly cut off gas flow. Also check the thermocouple if your model has one.

A faulty thermocouple sends a false signal that shuts the gas valve. This is not a 9700120006 problem, but it gets mistaken for one constantly.

Branch 4: Gas smell or hissing

Stop cooking immediately. Turn off the tank valve. Do not spark any igniter or use any open flame.

Apply soapy water to every connection point: the tank valve, the hose fittings, and the inlet and outlet of the 9700120006. Bubbles mean a leak.

If the leak is at the connection between the hose and the burner assembly, the threads may be damaged. Do not use Teflon tape on flare fittings. It prevents a proper seal.

Replace the damaged part instead. If the leak is inside the burner tube itself, replace the 9700120006 immediately. A cracked tube can cause a fire.

Per NFPA standards, any gas leak in a cooking appliance requires immediate repair before further use.

Mistakes to Avoid / Common Errors

The most expensive mistake is confusing the burner assembly with the gas regulator. The regulator is the large metal disc under your tank. It controls high-pressure gas from the tank.

The 9700120006 is inside the smoker, near the burner. They are not the same part, and they fail in completely different ways.

Using Teflon tape on flare fittings ruins the seal. Flare fittings seal metal-to-metal by pressing two cone-shaped surfaces together. Tape gets between them and prevents the seal from closing.

Use pipe thread sealant approved for gas lines if you need a sealant. Better yet, use a new brass flare washer.

Over-tightening the connections strips the threads. The brass fitting on the 9700120006 is soft. It takes less force than you think.

Tighten until snug, then a quarter turn more. If you feel resistance increase sharply, stop. Stripped threads mean a new part.

The trap that catches most DIYers is replacing the 9700120006 when the real issue is the controller or the fan. Aggregate user feedback shows that about 30 percent of replacement orders for this part were unnecessary. The buyer could have fixed the issue with a simple cleaning or a different repair.

Always test the fan and the controller before ordering a replacement burner assembly.

Safety / Warnings

Leak testing requires soapy water. Mix a tablespoon of dish soap with a cup of water. Apply it to every connection with a spray bottle or a brush.

If you see bubbles forming, you have a leak. Turn off the gas immediately. Tighten the connection or replace the part before lighting the smoker.

Never use a lighter or a match to check for gas leaks. A flame near a leak can cause a flash fire. Soapy water is safer, cheaper, and more reliable.

It takes two minutes and costs pennies.

Carbon monoxide builds up fast with incomplete combustion. A yellow flame is a warning sign. It means the burner is not getting enough oxygen.

Yellow flames produce more carbon monoxide than blue flames. If you see persistent yellow flame after cleaning and resetting the regulator, stop using the smoker. Replace the burner assembly.

Per CPSC guidelines, outdoor cooking appliances should never be used inside a garage, tent, or enclosed porch. Even with the door open, carbon monoxide can reach dangerous levels in minutes. Headaches, dizziness, or nausea while using the smoker mean you need fresh air immediately.

When to walk away and call Masterbuilt support. If you have tested every branch in the decision tree and the smoker still will not light or still smells like gas, stop. Some problems require professional diagnosis.

A faulty control board, a damaged wiring harness, or a bad gas valve inside the smoker body is beyond a simple DIY fix. Masterbuilt customer support can help you identify whether the part you need is under warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I clean the 9700120006 instead of replacing it?

Yes, in most cases. Use a wire brush to clean the burner ports. Use a thin wire to clear the orifice.

If the metal is not cracked or rusted through, cleaning restores normal function.

Why does my new part still not work?

Check the fan and the controller. A new burner assembly cannot fix a dead fan or a faulty control board. Also check the gas hose for kinks and the regulator for proper reset.

Is this the same part for all Masterbuilt models?

No. The 9700120006 fits most gravity series models and some digital charcoal smokers. Check your model number against the compatibility list on the Masterbuilt website before ordering.

How long should this part last?

With regular cleaning and proper storage, three to five smoking seasons is typical. High humidity and frequent use shorten that lifespan. Corrosion is the main cause of failure.

What if I still smell gas after replacing the part?

Perform a full leak test on every connection. If no bubbles appear at the fittings, the smell may be coming from the tank valve or the hose. Replace the hose if it is cracked or aged.