We have general instructions for how to install your replacement grill parts and get your grill working just like new! Whether you need a new burner or a cooking grid, we can help you replace the old parts quickly and easily.
Fixing up your gas grill is easy, inexpensive (compared to a new grill!), and can make your grill cook as good as when it was new! Gas grills have only three main parts that keep it running, and each part is easy to replace when it wears out. It’s easy to find replacement parts for your grill on our website, order online and install them yourself. High quality grill parts are all you need to keep your grill running for years, save money, and enjoy time with friends and family in the back (or front) yard.
The three main parts that need to be replaced regularly are the cooking grid, the heat plates and the burners. First there is the cooking grid, which looks the same on pretty much every grill. This is what you cook your food on. Down below the the cooking grid is the heat plate, which usually covers the burners and evenly distributes the heat to your cooking grid. Finally there is the burner, which sits below the heat plate. This is where the the flame is produced and maintained. Each of these three parts are constantly in use whenever your grill is on, so they tend to wear out every few years. Unlike a car, it is incredibly easy for you to replace these main parts of your grill and keep it running like new!
Guide To Replacing Your Parts
Here on our site, we’ve tried to make it as easy as possible to find the parts that you need. So there are two ways to find your replacement parts- you can look up the make and model number of your grill and select from the parts that we have and you can measure the part(s) that you need and put the measurements into our Dimensions Calculator. This will pull up any part we have that matched the measurements and could work for your grill. We recommend you try both methods whenever possible, since most distributors sell parts that will work for multiple grills.
One side note on measuring grill parts: in this industry, we like being very, very specific, so measurements are usually taken in inches and will be listed as both fractions and a decimal points. For instance you may see a measurement of 5 and 1/8 inches and 5.125 which are the same.
In addition to checking the the measurements of your part, its also useful to recognize what style it may be. If it is a burner, is it a straight design or an H-shaped burner? If it is a cooking grid, does it come in three sections or two? Is it porcelain-covered or stainless steel? Its important to know that you may only to be able to purchase a cooking grid of a different material than what came with your original grill. If the measurements of your grill parts match with the parts you’re trying to order and they look the same visually, the chances are excellent that the new part will fit into your grill just fine!
When to Order Your Grill Parts
Its good to order any replacement grill parts at least two full weeks before you need to repair your grill. If you are ordering during the busy season- i.e. any time the weather is beautiful or warm, or around a major outdoor holiday like Labor day or the 4th of July- it may take longer to get the parts. That’s because you and thousands of other people have the exact same idea at the same time. Most grill companies get backed up on orders at certain points of the year, despite the hardest working employees putting in long hours. If this happens, take a deep breath and remember- it’s just a grill.
Most grill parts providers have 2 day shipping options if you absolutely have to get your parts quickly, but whenever you can, the best rule is to give yourself as much time as possible!
You know you should order new parts when:
1) You can see visible rust on that part. If you can see any rust, the odds are that the strength of that part is not at it’s peak, or it may not be operating as well as it could. Or the rust could get into your food- and who requests extra rust-flavor on their steak?
2) It seems to take an unusually long time for your food to cook. Wasted time is the number one casualty of an inefficient burner. If you think your burner or heat plate is not doing it’s job, then it’s time for some new parts.
3) The grill stops working. Make sure you check and see what part is the cause. Usually it’s the burner, but not always.
4) A part just outright breaks.
Sure, there may be a few other signs that you need to replace parts, but these are the main ones. Generally, if you’re in doubt, it’s a good idea to replace the part. A grill never cooks worse with shiny, efficient new parts.
Installing
When you get down to installing your replacement parts, the heat plates and the cooking grids should be pretty self explanatory. They just slide into the spot where the old part went. If you need to install a new burner, you will likely need tools to complete that process. Burners use different types of connectors, such as pins and screws, depending on what model you have. It’s good to know if you need an allen wrench or an screw driver before you start installing your new burner. Also, before you remove the old burner, take a careful look at the orientation of the burner, so that you don’t accidentally install the new one upside down.
Maintenance
In order to keep your grill in prime condition, it’s important to take care of it when you are finished cooking on it, each and every time. Make sure you clean the cooking grid thoroughly each time, and cover your grill from rain and snow, whenever possible. Its a good idea to use a cover for your grill when its not in use. You can also use a cooking oil spray after each use to help prevent rusting of the cooking grid. If you have stainless steel parts, remember that even stainless steel can rust, given the right conditions. So make sure you clean up after each use, use cooking spray, and cover your grill when it’s not being used. Yes, it’s a tough grill, but taking good care of something never made it less efficient or shortened it’s lifespan.
______________________________________________________________________________
Winterize your Grill
Tis the season...to make sure that you've winterized your backyard grill. Everything that you do to protect and take care of your grill will prolong the life of the grill and all its parts. And that never hurt anybody. Your grill parts are designed to last for several years, with proper care and maintenance. But most people skip the whole 'taking care of it' part, just because they don't know what to do. Do you?Do you know what it takes to keep your grill in peak condition? There are several simple, basic things you can do to take care of it that are completely inexpensive and quick. First of all, cover the grill when you're not using it. It may look all tough, with it's stainless steel exterior, but prolonged exposure to the elements has an effect on everything, including the inner workings of your grill. So a good cover is the first, most basic step.
Secondly, make sure you clean off the cooking grid after each use. It would seem like common sense, but so many people just close the lid and don't do the basic cleaning that you would typically do with plates and cups without thinking. Do you really want to taste fish on your chicken? Or veggies on your steak? Only if it's on purpose- if it's left over from the last cookout, that's just disgusting.
Finally, spray a life water/lemon mist onto the cooking grid when you are done with each cookout. The citrus will help to clean and disinfect the area, so that you're always ready for the next good time.
_____________________________________________________________________________
In the Market for a New Grill?
If it's time to invest in a new grill, you've got several things you could focus on: the extras (Does it have a rotisserie? A shiny side burner? A warmer?), on the fundamentals (Is it well made? Stainless steel? Cast iron?) or the economics (Do I go cheap? Invest in a nice one? What is a 'nice one?'). And you've got no shortage of options, from stores that specialize in grills to your local Home Depot. It's enough to make your head spin. And that's if you already sort of know what you want.
If you don't know what you want or need, I'd advise reading reviews...and then have a drink before you go shopping. It will ease the process.
The truth is, unless you have cash to blow, intend to keep your grill for a ridiculously long time, or are a serious grill-master, there is no need to blow a thousand dollars on a grill with all the trimmings. A sturdy, mid-range grill will do just fine. Most of the extras are only handy if you already know (and want) that specific functionality on your grill. Brands like Charbroil, Weber and Ducane make perfectly functional grills that last a long time, are easy to fix up with replacement grill parts (a key to extending the life if your grill by decades...yes, I said it- decades), and are affordable. Win, win, win.
Grills are like cars- you need a sturdy one, but all the extras they try to throw in are where they make their money. So watch out, and have in mind ahead of time what you really want to be able to do with your grill. It will save you from a seriously expensive impulse purchase.