Once again the grilling season has come, and it’s time to dust off the barbecue and enjoy some outdoor cooking. It’s also time to get the grill back in shape. It may have been a few months since its last use and perhaps it’s not as ready as it needs to be. Instead of running to the store for a new setup, consider taking some time to refurbish the old standby. With a little effort, most barbecues can be cleaned and salvaged, and broken BBQ parts can usually be replaced for a fraction of the cost of a new grill.

Grill Parts

The first thing to wear down on a barbecue is usually the grill itself. The cooking grid is designed to take a lot of abuse; the heat from the fire and the constant contact with food and sauces can corrode the surface over time. While proper maintenance and cleaning is important to extend the lifetime of the grid, grill replacement may be necessary after prolonged usage. Most retailers should have a replacement grill that matches your old one, provided they carry the make and model or similar brands. But even if it’s not the exact make, just be sure that the dimensions are correct. Often, a general aftermarket part will be easier to find and will work as well as the original.

Gas Grills

Gas grills and propane barbecues have become more popular lately and can also be refurbished with new parts. On propane barbecues, a problem with the burners doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the grill; replacement burners are sold by most manufacturers and are fairly easy to install. Like cooking grids, if an exact match can’t be found there are often options for aftermarket parts, as long as you have the exact dimensions. The igniters on a gas grill may also fail during the grill’s lifetime and can usually be purchased at the same vendor as the burners. Installation is simple, but care should be taken with these parts to ensure the proper functioning of any gas system.