A good gas grill is a major investment, and like all big purchases it’s a good idea to think careful about what you want. When you get a grill you are likely to expect it to be the centerpiece of backyard parties and family dinners for years to come. But first you need to know – how long do gas grills last?
Most gas grills come with a 10-year warranty, so they should last at least that long. With regular care and the occasional part replacement, however, a good gas grill may last much longer than that, as long as 20 years even.
Not all grills are created equal, of course, so grills at the cheaper end of the price spectrum probably have a lower quality construction and components, and are not going to last you 20 years. But a higher quality gas grill is built to reward that investment.
If you are interested in making your investment last, keep reading. We are going to take a look at the factors that affect grill life, and things you can do to extend that life, including repairs and maintenance, so that you can make memories around that grill for several years.
Are Gas Grills Built to Last
One of the first things to look at when considering the question of how long do gas grills last is the warranty. The length of time the company is willing to ensure there are no problems, and fix them if there are, is a good indicator of how long a particular model will last. It’s fair to make the correlation of the longer the warranty, the longer it’s likely to last.
How well made your grill is also a factor in how long it will last. The sturdier it is, the better it will stand up to the wear and tear that comes with ordinary use. Several consumer groups like Consumer Reports have tested and rated different brands and models with a variety of criteria including sturdiness, and their findings can help you determine which brands live up to the hype of their marketing.
Regardless of the model, one of the biggest enemies of your grill’s longevity is the elements. Temperature changes and moisture erode the grill’s materials and components. It’s critical to cover your grill and store it in a garage or shed where it’s protected when it’s not in regular use. Anything you can do to protect it from the weather will make your gas grill last longer.
How to Take Care of a Gas Grill
In addition to getting a model that is built to last, there are several ways that you can extend the life of your gas grill. Regular care and maintenance is one of the key things that will do this.
As mentioned above, keeping it covered and out of the elements is the number one step to take in terms of maintaining your grill. Make sure that if you live in a humid climate or near the ocean that your cover isn’t trapping moisture inside with the grill – extra wipe downs are also a good idea to prevent salt or moisture from building up and rusting your grill if you live in these areas.
Cleaning can also extend the lifespan of your grill. In addition to regularly cleaning your grill before and after each use, a deep cleaning at the beginning and end of the grilling season, or at least once a year if you use the grill year round, is also a good idea. Keeping your grill clean prevents fat and other food build up from destroying finishes and components on your grill.
When it comes to cleaning, it’s a good idea to wipe down and keep the exterior free of dust and other build up like soot and smoke before and after each use. Use grill-safe cleansers to keep from damaging the surface of your grill.
Keeping the interior of the cook box clean is also critical. Make sure you brush out the underside of the lid and interior sides as well as cleaning the grates and burners after each use. Brush accumulated build-up, food trash, and debris in to the grease tray and drip pan and empty them both regularly.
Once you’ve brushed everything off, it’s a good idea to burn off any remaining residue or particles. Fire it up and let the grill heat things up for 15 to 20 minutes before turning it off and letting it cool again. That way it’ll be ready to go the next time you’re ready to grill.
Regularly checking all the hosing and gas lines, and replacing tubing that gets worn or has cracks or holes is another critical piece of grill maintenance. You can check them for leaks by turning everything off and dabbing the line with a solution of soapy water – if bubbles form there’s a leak and you should get it taken care of before you grill.
When to Repair or Replace Your Gas Grill
Despite the best care possible, sometimes things will still go wrong. Like a car, gas grills may last a long time, but you will still need to repair or replace some of the components to keep your backyard cooking running smoothly.
Cooking grates can last a long time when properly cleaned and cared for, but generally they are not going to last as long as a high-quality gas grill. When brushing and oiling is no longer enough, these are a component that is easy and inexpensive to replace. That’s also true for the heat tents that protect the burners.
Clogged or damaged burner tubes are another issue that many people have reported. Keeping them clean and in good working order is easy, and replacing them when they do get worn is not expensive. Keeping them in good working order is worth it for the safety of your family and friends.
Gas regulators are another part of your grill that it’s important to be working correctly for safe grilling. These keep the pressure of the gas flowing to your burners safe and consistent. Regulators should last a long time, but if you notice problems it’s better to replace it than risk an accident.
Burners are going to be one of the more expensive replacements, but they another one of the repairs that are worth it. Weber, one of the foremost makers of grills, recommends replacing burners at least once rather than purchasing a new grill. Burner life is generally 5 to 10 years, so if you’re replacing a burner after 10 years it’s possible that you are doubling the lifespan of your grill with this repair.
Rust is the enemy of longevity, and a grill body that has rusted through is not something that you are going to be able to replace. Regular cleaning and covering should keep that from happening, but if it does then unfortunately it’s time to replace the whole grill.
Conclusion
As we’ve worked through the ways to take care of your gas grill, we’ve seen the different things that can affect it’s lifespan. Now you should have a better idea of the answer to the question how long do gas grills last.
With a good initial investment and proper care and maintenance, you could be enjoying good times centered around your gas grill for as long as 20 years!
