How Long Should A Gas Grill Last

It's a real hassle when your gas grill stops working, especially if you're in the middle of the cooking session.

While these units are quite reliable when preparing large batches of food, they could malfunction from damages sustained over the years. Ideally, a gas grill lasts for several years, but a lot depends on its overall quality and intensity of use.

That said, I've helped a lot of friends and neighbors troubleshoot their grills, but more often than not, they purchased an off-brand unit to save a few dollars. A gas grill is an investment, and it makes no sense to buy an inferior quality product that will give you troubles early on.

Hello! I'm Stacy Smith, and today I'll be discussing at length about how long should a gas grill last.

Without further ado, let's begin.

Fix Or Toss - Is Your Gas Grill Broken?

There are multiple tell-tale signs that indicate that your gas grill is either broken or damaged beyond repair.

Usually, the first thing you'll notice is the change in the performance of the grill. A dip in functionality may indicate problems, so it's best to get your unit checked immediately. For instance, if your grill produced steady and powerful heat earlier, but has suddenly come down to a low flame, it's time to figure out the issue.

The following are some common signs indicating that your grill has to be repaired or replaced.

• Grill won't turn on
• Gas leaks
• Low flame
• Large flame spewing from the burner sides
• Broken controls (regulates gas flow)
• Yellow or orange flame
• Discharges smoke
• Cracked hoses or fuel lines
• Inconsistent heating
• Low cooking temperature
• Dirty or damaged venturi tubes
• Heavy external damage
• Severe debris and grease buildup
• Other issues in the gas burner

If you're experiencing any of these issues while using the grill, stop immediately, and assess the scale of damage. While some minor glitches can be fixed with repairs, part replacement, or servicing, in case of heavy damage, you may have no other choice but to replace the unit.

Also, if it is way past the warranty period, you might as well get a new gas grill. But before you toss it for good, make sure to try every trick in the book to revive it. Most of the time, people ignore the issues until it's too late. Therefore, timely damage control will help you extend the service life.

When to Repair vs. Buy a New Grill

As you might have already figured out, I'm a strong advocate for gas grill maintenance and repair. Having said that, continuous use and wear-and-tear will eventually render your grill out of action. It is at this point that you may either choose to repair or buy a new unit.

While it's tempting to get a brand new appliance, consider the following factors before prematurely discarding the old unit.

1. Calculate The Costs

When opting for repairs, find the charges involved, which should cover the service and the cost of replacement parts, if any. Also, consider the time it'll take to carry out the repairs as you'll need to make alternative arrangements for cooking.

That said, if the cost and inconvenience outweigh the price tag of a new grill, the latter instantly becomes the better of the two options. Plus, not all replacement parts are covered under product warranty.

Nevertheless, a new grill is a significantly big investment, so you should weigh-in all your options before taking the leap. If you think repairs are more affordable, here's the next thing that you should do.

2. Finding Proper Replacement Parts

Right off the top of my head, I can think of some key parts that may need replacing. That includes the ceramic briquettes, the damaged burner or ignition, and the grates. A gas grill consists of several individual parts, but no matter how complicated it all appears, repairs are not that big of a hassle.

The best part is that almost all components of your gas grill can be restored or replaced at an affordable cost. The gas grill manufacturers usually also sell spare parts, and you can find the proper parts by matching the model number.

Common Gas Grill Repairs

1. Ceramic Briquettes

Ceramic briquettes are quite popular among grill gas users as they provide consistent heating across the surface that also lasts longer. Alternatively, you may use lava rocks or ceramic tiles for even heat distribution within the grill.

To cut down costs, you can opt for charcoal briquettes. These are relatively cheaper and add a smoky taste to your food. Long story short, you may use any of the above options and replace one with the other while carrying out repairs.

2. Burners and Ignitor

The burner and the ignitor essentially turn on the flame. While repairing the ignitor does not cost a lot, the same cannot be said about the burners. Repairing or replacing the latter is more expensive, and it's best not to skimp on the quality of the replacement part.

3. Grill Grates

Grill grates form the cooking surface where you sear your food items. You can choose among cast iron, stainless steel, and porcelain options, depending on your budget. It is safer and more hygienic to cook on new grates rather than using rusty, oil-choked ones.

Final Words

You'll be surprised to know that, on average, Americans discard their gas grills only after three years of use. However, I can assure you that your unit can last way longer than that. A good quality unit from a known brand has a service life of about 5 to 15 years.

To make the most out of your grill, get it serviced after every few months. This removes any oil and grease buildup and keeps it in top-notch condition. Also, to minimize damages, clean your unit before and after each cooking session.

On that note, I'll be taking your leave.

Till next time, happy cooking!