Should I Replace Or Repair My Grill?

So your grill has been a faithful companion, saving your life during the summer months and get-togethers, feeding you tasty food, and being a talking point with your friends.

But now you’re a bit concerned that your grill isn’t quite working how it used to. You’re worried it’s broken and you don’t know if you need to repair it or replace it. 

Well, in this article, we will be going over just that! From working out if you need to repair it or replace it, to how you can repair it yourself and how long a grill should normally last.

How Long Are Grills Supposed To Last?

Before we get into repair or replacement, it’s important for you to know how long grills are actually supposed to last before they need to be replaced. 

On average, a grill can last anywhere between 5 to 15 years before it needs to be replaced. The longevity of the grill depends purely on how well it’s cared for, how often it’s used and how much maintenance it’s been given.

With that being said, some grills can last longer.  High end and luxury grills can even last 30 or more years, with proper care.

You can make it last longer by always cleaning it before and after use and keeping up with replacing any broken parts as and when are needed.

Dealing with the small repairs straight away can save you the hassle of dealing with them all in one go and when the grill is beyond repair. 

Is My Grill Broken?

Now you know roughly how long a grill should last,  you need to work out if your grill is broken or if it just needs repairs. 

There are a few telltale signs you can look for to work out if your grill needs repairs or replacements, such as the following:

• Gas leaks
• Large flames coming from inside the burner
• Low temperature
• The grill won't light
• Low flame
• Uneven heating
• Severe debris or grease build-up
• Large amounts of smoke
• Severe exterior damage
• Damaged or dirty burners
• Other gas burner issues

If you see something on your grill that doesn’t sit well with you or feels out of place, it’s in your best interest to look into getting it repaired or replaced. You need to assess the damage before you take any next steps.

Knowing the age of your grill helps because if it’s been in use longer than its approximate lifespan, you’ll be able to work out if it needs replacing easier.

An Important Note About Warranties

Many grills that you'd find in an outdoor kitchen are backed by a manufacturers warranties.  Many of the brands we carry at Elite Patio Direct are backed by a lifetime warranty.

However, the fine print of many warranties is that they are non-transferrable.  This means that only the original owner can register and make a warranty claim.

So if you've purchased a home from somebody with an existing grill or outdoor kitchen, odds are you can't make a warranty claim for defective parts on the grill.  Double check the manufacturer's documentation on this though.

Look At The Costs

Before you consider replacing or repairing your grill, you need to work out the costs. You need to know your budget and what sort of leg room you have before you make any purchases. 

If the cost and time to repair the grill are higher than it would be to just replace the grill, it’s in your best interest to just buy a new one rather than dealing with the headache of repairs. 

Getting a new grill is a huge financial investment, so don’t just buy a new one on impulse. Really do the research you need before settling on a new grill or replacement parts.

Getting The Right Replacement Parts

Before you start buying, you need to know exactly what you need.

When it comes to a grill, these are parts you need to consider:

• Burners
• Ignition
• Ceramic briquettes
• Cooking grates

Although it might seem daunting and complicated at first glance, it’s actually a lot easier to replace these parts than it might seem.

Almost every part of a grill can be individually replaced and all parts are made and manufactured according to their model and brand number.

But just so you have a bit more information, we’ll briefly go over the four parts we’ve listed above. 

Questions about replacement parts for your grill?  Get in touch with us and we'll do our best to help.  We stock various replacement parts for the brands we carry.

Burners & Ignition

Every grill has fire, and the fire comes from the burners and the ignitors. If your burner is what needs replacing, you may be tempted to just buy a whole new grill, but bear in mind that you can replace just the burner and keep your original grill instead. 

Ceramic Briquettes

Ceramic Briquettes last a long time and provide even heat on the grill’s surface. If you have a gas grill, there's a chance your burners are covered by a layer of ceramic briquettes. 

Cooking Grates

The cooking grates are where you place your food when it’s time to grill it. They are one of the most important parts of your grill.

Cooking grates come in lots of different materials such as cast iron, porcelain, and stainless steel. The material determines how the oil will be absorbed. 

Bear in mind that it is safer to grill on newer grates than dirty, rusted ones, so you may need to replace your cooking grates if they've gotten past the point of no return.

You can minimize how often you replace them by regularly cleaning them and keeping them dry when not in use. 

If You Need To Replace Your Grill, Follow These Steps

So if you’ve come to the conclusion that you definitely need to replace your grill. If you’re worried it’s going to be a complicated process, don’t. Grills come apart easily and working out which parts are broken won’t take you very long.

We’ve broken down how to do that into these five steps for you:

STEP 1: Disconnect The Gas

First and foremost, you need to disconnect the gas or the fuel line. This is a top priority safety measure.

When you go to disconnect the gas, make sure you wear protective gloves to ward off cuts and any grease stains. 

STEP 2: Disassemble Big Parts

Next, you want to disassemble larger sections of your grill to make disposal as easy as possible.  You can remove your grates and separate your grill head from the cart, if you're getting rid of a freestanding grill.

STEP 3: Safely Dispose

Once the grill has been broken down into manageable parts, it's time to get rid of it.  It is likely too heavy for a regular trash service to take care of it, so you'll need to take the parts to a dumpster.  Many municipalities have designated dumpster areas where you can dispose of things like this.

If You Need To Buy A New Grill…

If the repairs you need to do are too intricate and expensive, it may be time for you to buy a new grill altogether. 

Things you need to consider when buying a new grill include cost, especially when you’re considering your budget. Shop around and look at lots of options.

It’s better to spend a large chunk of time finding one that’s in your budget that you actually like instead of impulse buying and putting yourself out of pocket. 

Other things you want to consider when purchasing a new grill are what features you want, ease of assembly, and warranty. If you know what features you want on a grill, this will make finding a new one a lot easier.

Ease of assembly will give you less of a headache when it comes to putting it together and knowing the warranty on the grill and/or its parts can save you money in the long run when parts need replacing.  

Final Thoughts

If you get to know your grill, the parts, and how old it is, you’re putting yourself in a better position when it comes to fixing it. Sometimes though, we can’t fix everything and a replacement will end up being better for you. 

We all love our grills, but do the research and accept when it may be time to get a new one. Leaving a grill alone to fester in damages will only cost more money in the long run!