National BBQ Month – Is Your Old BBQ Grill Prepared to Take the Heat?
The warmer weather is finally here and just in time for National BBQ Month. If you haven’t done it already, it’s time to break out the BBQ grill. What better way to kick off another grilling season than firing up the BBQ and inviting friends and family over for a charbroiled feast? Before sending out the invites, you might want to take a good look at your BBQ grill. Is it ready for the big cookout or is it looking like it time to retire it? Here are some of the signs that it might be time to invest in a new BBQ grill.
How to Know When It’s Time for a New BBQ Grill
Not only does cooking on an old, decrepit BBQ grill make it difficult to show off your culinary skills but it can be dangerous. If your grill is showing any of these signs, it’s probably time to replace it. While some minor issues may just require repair, others will signify the end of the road for your old grill.
Damaged Firebox – After its first season, depending on how it was stored, it’s not uncommon for your grill to be sporting a little rust. This can easily be taken care of with a stainless steel brush. However, if brushing away the rust reveals that the firebox is cracked or has rusted through, you definitely need a new grill. Grilling with damaged firebox can lead to personal injury.
Cracked, Rusted or Warped Grill Grates – The condition of your grill’s grate can affect the grilling experience in a couple of ways. Cracked or warped grates can create an uneven or compromised cooking surface and could affect how thoroughly the food is cooked. If your grill has rusty metal or flaking cast iron grates, your food could become contaminated. You may be able to replace damaged grates if the rest of your grill is in good shape.
Uneven Heat & Yellow Flames – if you notice this issue with your gas grill there are a couple of things you can do. Start by cleaning the burner ports or tubes with a toothpick or paper clip. If this doesn’t fix the issue, you can look into replacing the burner. Depending on the age of your grill, the part may be covered under the warranty.
Hose or Connector Leaks – The best way to find leaks is to do a “bubble test”. To do this, spray the hoses and connectors with soapy water and turn on the gas. If there are any leaks, bubbles will appear in the area where the leak is located. You may be able to replace any defective hoses or connectors. If not, you will need to replace our grill.
Grease Buildup – Your grill should be cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of grease which could result in a fire or personal injury. If you’ve allowed the grease to accumulate to over a long period of time, clean your grill thoroughly before using it. If the grease has bonded to your grill and you can’t get it completely clean, it’s time to invest in a new one.
Air Vents – In order to control the air intake and cooking temperature on a charcoal grill, the air vents on your grill need to be working properly. If the vents are blocked and can’t be repaired, you’ll need to go shopping for a new grill.
Ready to Retire Your Old BBQ Grill?
An old, worn out or broken grill is just an accident waiting to happen. If your grill has seen better days, it’s time to replace it. Jersey Coast Appliance is your BBQ grill headquarters here at the Jersey Shore. Whether you prefer gas or charcoal, our expert staff can help you choose the perfect BBQ grill. We proudly carry quality grills manufactured by Weber, DCS, and Lynx and are an authorized parts depot for Weber. Contact us or stop into one of our two locations for all your BBQ repair and replacement needs.
