Many families would consider a grill a large purchase and expect it to last for many years. A grill is something that we use on a regular basis, and count on being there for a long time. Can you imagine summer time without the family huddled around, while you pull fresh steaks off the grill?
How long should my propane grill last?While it may not have been your experience in the past, it is possible for a gas grill to last up to 20 years, when proper care has been taken of it and appropriate parts have been replaced at the appropriate times.
Of course, the quality of your grill will also have something to do with how long it lasts. You cannot purchase the cheapest grill out there and expect it to last for 20 years.
When it comes to grill repair, most parts and repairs are fairly inexpensive, especially when compared to the price of a brand new grill. You should take pride in your grill, as you would any costly appliance. Some of your greatest family memories will probably be made around the grill in the summertime.
It might help to look at your grill the way you would a vehicle. A grill is not supposed to be thrown away, just because it may need some new parts. There are many articles online that can help you with troubleshooting your grill. In this article, we will highlight how often certain parts of your grill should be changed out. These parts should be changed before problems ever arise.
How Long Should My Propane Grill Last?
A grill itself can last many, many years, so long as it is kept out of the weather. It is worth it to keep your grill on a covered deck or patio. If you do use your grill out in the open, it is a good idea to put it away somewhere like a shed when it is not in use.
There are parts that you will probably need to replace at certain times throughout your grill’s life, but the grill as a whole should last you a long, long time.
Here is a list of grill parts which may need to be replaced:
- Flavorizer bars
- Grates
- Burners
- Gas lines
- Pressure regulators
Flavorizer bars and grates will need to be changed out about once every five years if your grill is used regularly but kept in good condition.
If your grill experiences neglect, it will not last as long on the whole and flavorizer bars and grates will need to be replaced once about every three years.
Burners will need to be replaced every five to ten years. Weber grill maker says that all of these parts are worth replacing at least once.
If we do the math, and say burners could last ten years, and are worth replacing once, then there is the potential for your grill to have double the life of the burner. If you buy a quality grill and take good care of it, you could still have it around 20 years from now.
If you experience a leak, of course it is time to change out your gas line. There is no reason you should have to change out these lines if there is not a leak, unless they are starting to look warn, and you feel they are a danger.
Chances are you are going to need to change out your gas lines once every 2-3 years. They may last longer, but, as stated, go ahead and replace them if you feel like they are a safety concern. Gas lines are inexpensive, and they are not worth compromising your family’s safety.
Pressure regulators are there to decrease the pressure of the gas before it reaches your grill. Without these safeguards, flames or flares would simply shoot out of the burners on your grill.
That would obviously be very dangerous. As with gas lines, if you feel like there is a problem with your regulator, you should go ahead and swap it out. If not, they will last you for several years.
If you notice frosting over of your pressure regulator, do not be alarmed. This is likely due to condensation, where the humid air from outside is coming in contact with the metal piece on the regulator.
This piece is extremely cold, because of the propane inside of it is expanding to decrease in pressure as the time nears for it to reach your grill burners.
You can easily test your regulator to see if it is working properly. If the bypass valve in the propane regulator is stuck, you will probably hear some sputtering, and you will not be getting adequate gas to your grill.
You may see your burners light up for a second, but the fire will quickly die back down. There will not be enough flame to actually cook anything.
If you experience rusting through in the body of the grill itself, it is probably time to go shopping for a new grill. There are steps you can take to keep rusting out from happening in the first place, though.
You should keep your grill under a cover and not out in the elements. It only makes sense that the grill would last longer if it has been up-kept properly and taken care of, instead of left in the rain.
When the time comes to buy new grill parts, you can get them from the manufacturer or you can get them from many camping or outdoor stores. Some parts are brand-specific, and other parts are generic.
Talk to a parts specialist in any of the above mentioned stores about proper care and storage of your grill. They will be able to give you additional tips to keep your grill in great shape even longer.
What’s The Best Gas Grill For The Money?
When it comes to buying a budget-friendly gas grill that still maintains a certain quality standard, it can become a frustrating task if you do not have the correct resources to do so.
As a result, we have compiled a list of the best gas grills under $500 to help you along with your search. Take a look at the items down below to get a better idea of what you should be looking for when your price range is a little smaller but you want to get the most for the money that you do spend.
Here are the best grills for the money:
- The Char-Broil Classic
- The Dyna Glo Black and Stainless Premium
- The Cuisinart CGG-200 Outdoor Tabletop Grill
- The Char-Broil TRU Infrared Urban Gas Grill
- The Char-Griller 3001 Grillin’ Pro
- The Fuego FELG21C Element
- The Weber Q3200
- The Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 480
The Char-Broil Classic sells for $169. It is one of the largest grills on the list. You can cook up to 14 hamburgers at one time. The grill is known for cooking meat evenly, and it is fairly versatile, especially given the price.
It has a side burner, warming rack, side shelves, and porcelain coated cast iron cooking grates. Char-Broil grills are known for their quality and long lifespan.
The Dyna Glo Black and Stainless Premium Grill has stainless steel grates, which will help keep your grill from rusting. It consumes very little fuel with each use. This grill has only 350 square inches of cooking space, so it is fairly portable.
It still comes with several features, including stainless steel burners, a warming rack, electronic ignition, and foldable side shelves.
The Cuisinart CGG-200 Outdoor Tabletop Grill is made for portability. It sits on top of the table and is can be easily picked up and carried. It gets hot quickly and retains heat well.
This grill still has foldable side shelves and porcelain coated cast iron cooking grates. This grill has interchangeable grates, so that you can determine what you want your own cooking surface to look like.
The Char-Broil TRU Infrared Urban Gas Grill is a smaller model, with side tables that fold down. It is known as the “apartment complex grill”. This grill still has the features of a warming rack and folding side shelves.
Its stainless steel exterior keeps it from rusting and provides for the long life of the grill. The infrared system helps ensure food is cooked evenly and to the right temperature.
The Char-Griller 3001 Grillin’ Pro has already made our list of best grills for 2019. It also comes with one of the best values.
The cost of the grill is only about $185.00, but it is one of the more versatile grills on the list, with the second highest BTU rating. This grill comes with a warming rack, side burner, and smoker attachment, to give you that smoky taste, even with a gas grill.
The Fuego FELG21C Element can heat up to 500 degrees in only five minutes. It has only one burner, which provides for less fuel use. You can get 20 hours of cooking out of just one propane tank.
It still has two cooking areas by using “dual zone” technology. It is one of the smaller grills on the list, so portability is a plus. This grill does not come with many added features.
The Weber Q3200 is a great option for someone who wants the household Weber name but does not want a large grill. This grill also has interchangeable grates you can trade out, based on what you are cooking. One neat thing about this grill is that is has various attachments which are sold separately, like a vegetable basket.
While you may not want the cost of all the extras that come with the Weber Q3200, you have to admit, they make cooking more streamlined. Imagine using only the grill and foregoing the kitchen for your side items!
The Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 480 offers that great, infrared technology that cooks meat so evenly. It is a wonderful grill for people who plan to cook a variety of foods.
It will handle any meat well, and give you a finished product to be proud of. With the Char-Broil name, this grill also comes with a quality design that will not easily rust or come apart. This is a top-notch grill.
What Happens When My Propane Tank Gets Low?
Letting your propane tank get too low can cause serious problems for your grill. This is something you should avoid at all costs. One of the best safety precautions when it comes to grills is making sure you never run out of propane!
Here are some problems that can occur if you let yourself run out of propane:
- Leaks
- Rust
- No gas
If a valve is left open or a knob is left turned on when your run out of propane, a leak can easily pop up when you install a new tank and recharge you line with fresh propane. You do not want to have to replace any lines or nozzles so it is a best practice to keep your propane tank full.
Once your tank or line has a leak, you will have to perform a leak test, to see where it its coming from. First, fill a bottle with soap and water. Then spray it onto the line, and particularly onto the connectors.
If you see bubbling up, then you know where your leak is coming from. Leaks in gas line or connectors are an easy fix. All you need to do is replace the line or the connector.
If a tank is allowed to go empty, air and moisture can get into the tank and cause rust on the inside. Rust lowers the concentration of propane, making it harder to smell. This means, if you have a problem in the future, you might not detect it as soon as you should, because you will not be able to smell any leaking propane.
The obvious problem when your tank gets too low is that you will run out of gas! Then you will have no fuel to cook with. There is no worse feeling than stepping out on your deck with a platter or raw steaks, only to find that you have no propane in the tank, and you are going to have to cook those steaks on the stove top or in the oven.
Make sure your propane tank is full, so that you can cook when you are ready to. You want to be able to enjoy your grill, so keep up with the proper maintenance, which would include filling your propane tanks before they run out of gas.
How Much Does Propane Cost?
An empty 20 pound propane tank can hold about 4.7 gallons of propane. That is $18.47 at $3.93 per gallon. Of course, this math was done with an empty tank, and you really should not let your tank become empty. Propane tank exchange is usually not much more money than simply having a tank refilled.
Here are some options when it comes to buying propane:
- Refills
- Tank exchange
To have a propane tank refilled, you would need to take it to the gas company. On the other hand, a simple tank exchange can be done at most convenience stores. All you have to do is give the store your old, empty tank, and they will give you a new one, full of propane.
Of course, your easiest option is to do a tank exchange. You may save a little money by having tanks refilled instead.
Like any appliance, we hope our grills will last for many years. Suppose you bought a new grill today.
Picture yourself in 20 years, stepping out onto the deck or patio with a platter full of meat to throw on your old, trusty grill. When it will not fire up, or when you notice it has finally rusted through, won’t you be disappointed? I would say that grill has fulfilled its duty to your family at that point.
Think of all the meals that could have been prepared on that grill in the course of 20 years. You will have made memories around it with your family and friends.
You will still be able to taste the scrumptious meats that were prepared on it. And will you really have any reason to be upset if the grill has lasted you 20 years? That is longer than many cars last.
When the time finally comes to purchase a new grill, you will be able to take pride in the fact that you took such great care of your old one and that it lasted you so long.
After reading all of the helpful tips in this article, you should feel much more confident in taking care of your grill, while also knowing that your next grill will most likely last you at least 20 years.
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