A gas burner (11) for a charcoal grill having a bowl (12) includes an elongated burner tube (30) secured to the bowl and passed through an opening (36) in the bowl (12) so as to be positioned in a substantially horizontal manner below and substantially parallel to a bed of charcoal supported on a charcoal support grid (18). The burner has a propane tank (42) connected to the free end thereof outside the bowl (12) and has air intake openings (44) in the tube (30) adjacent the free end. A venturi section (46) is formed into the tube (30) downstream of the air intake openings (44) and elongated diametrically-opposed, horizontal slots (50) defining the gas exit ports are positioned downstream of the venturi section (46). An igniter assembly (52) having its electrode (56,60) extending through an opening into the tube (30) is located between the venturi section (46) and the slots (50) to ignite the flowing gases. The positioning of the electrode (56,60) within the tube (30) prevents flash-back through the air intake openings (44).