The lifespan of a grill depends on its maintenance and level of care but, usually, a grill lasts from 5 to 15 years depending on multiple factors. Despite the average span, you would like to know that how long a gas grill should last, especially the one at your home. Most of you have a perception that by covering the grill, you are ensuring its safety but that is not enough. The most a cover can do is to prevent grills from dust. A very easy tip to enhance the longevity of the grill is to clean it thoroughly before every season and at the end of the season as well. All the parts of a grill including burners, panels, or even grates, everything should be cleaned efficiently. Not only the maintenance will increase the lifespan of the grill, but also it will save you a lot of money. Buying a new grill every season is not cost-effective so, try to clean all the parts of the grill regularly. Another cost-friendly option is that you can buy a new specific part of the grill that is more likely to wear and tear, other than the whole grill.
Nowadays, there is a wide range of grill available in the market with variable quality, cost, and features. Some people think that those grills which are expensive last longer than those which are low in cost. It is not true because even if you take regular care of a cheap grill, it will last longer. On the other hand, if you leave the top-notch quality expensive grills without cleaning, then even these grills can lose their quality in no time. Who doesn’t like outdoor grilling in spring, summers, and autumn with a nice gathering of family and friends? But, when cooking outdoors, there are many things due to which the quality of the grill can be compromised. So, it’s good to know the function and requirement of the grill before doing a purchase as it will also tell you about the lifespan of the grill.
Unlike indoor appliances and cooking materials, gas grills are not easy to maintain. They get dirtier and wreck in less time than indoor ones. No matter how much sturdy or heavy-duty material is used in it, but exposure to the climate can easily compromise the quality of grills. If you really want to make the best cooked food then getting pit boss 700fb pellet grill is recommended.
Does the strength of grills depend on the material?
The lifespan of a grill depends on multiple factors, but the most important and obvious one is to know that how it was built, and what materials have been used in its production. Every material requires different methods of maintenance also, each has a variable lifespan. Let us have a look at some of the common materials and their role in the lifespan of the grill.
- Stainless-steel:
Stainless steel grills are considered durable hence, this grill will last more than 10 years on average. Although the grill is a bit expensive than other materials, its features are worth the price. The most common and destructive thing that suppresses the quality of grills is rust or corrosion. Stainless steel not only keeps the grill scratch-free and dent-resistant, but also it makes the grill corrosion-resistant. In addition to it, a shiny and lustrous touch is also added to the grill that enhances its look for so long. While if along with the grill, the other parts are also made of stainless steel, then it will be a more cost-friendly and quality option for you.
- Cast iron:
Cast iron is a sturdy and heavy-duty material with a wide range of features. The only thing that can compromise the quality of a cast iron grill is that it is not rust-resistant. But you can maintain the quality by regular cleaning of the grills. Well, if the surface is porous, then seasoning it with oil is the best hack. This solution will increase the lifespan of the cast iron grill by keeping corrosion away for some time. In short, if you maintain the cast iron grill well by regular cleaning, then it can last forever providing you the desired taste and performance but usually, a cast iron grill lasts for 5 years. Also, if you are not maintaining the quality, then its lifespan can be less than 5 years.
- Enameled Steel:
You would have seen standard coated steel but, enameled steel is the upgraded version of standard coated steel. The enameling process adds multiple features to the quality of the steel as a heat-resistant and hard surface binds to the material making it durable. On average, an enameled steel grill of good quality lasts for 5 to 7 years yet, it can last even longer. The reason due to which the enameled grills start losing their quality is that they are not scratch-free, so if not handled with care, they will lose their quality before time. When the scratch is exposed to the environment, there are chances that it can get corrode so, try to handle the grill with care to avoid scratches.
- Coated steel and aluminum:
Not everyone can afford the stainless-steel quality grills for their needs hence, for those coated steel and aluminum is the best option. The coating or in other words, the powder coating only forms a layer that prevents the grill from corrosion. Also, the grill becomes heat-resistant with the powder coating. But this coating is not effective for a lifetime. Like every other product, it wears and tears after multiple uses. Rust is something which if started, then is very tough to control hence, maintain your grill from the start. Clean the edges, bolts, and seams at first, because these are the starting points of rust. If used regularly, this grill will last up to 5 years long. But you can have to buy the replacements if the quality has been compromised in any way.
Factors on which the life of grills depends:
Quality isn’t everything that affects the lifespan of a grill but, proper care and maintenance also play a major role in increasing the longevity of the gas grills. Chances of deterioration and corrosion are limited to an extent by regular cleaning of the grill. Not only this, but it will keep your family safe from the harmful side effects of a corroded grill. When not in use, leaving the grills outside uncovered is the most foolish mistake. Always cover it after every use and store it at some right place such as a shed or shelter, especially in winters. With proper care, the grill can last even more than the average lifespan. Let us have a look at some factors, that can help you to maintain your grills.
- Wiping down the exterior:
If you are done with the grill and it is placed outside, then there is a chance that rust may develop on it. To prevent this, keep wiping the grill regularly using a sponge with a little oil. Also, you can use mild dishwashing soap in water to make a solution by which the exterior of the grill can be cleaned. Besides the cleaning methods, cover the grill with something to prevent it from adverse effects on the environment or move it to some safe place. Also, dust and rain will be kept away using this technique. When you want to use the grill again, use a vacuum cleaner to wipe out the dirt and the grill will be ready to use.
- Cleaning the grates:
To cook better food with a delicious and exotic taste, hygiene is the most important thing. Usually, the leftover food and oil stains are present on the grates after cooking on a grill and this can affect your further cooking as well. Cleaning grates will promote better cooking also, it is not a tough task at all. If you clean them thoroughly at least after every season, then the lifespan of your grill will increase for sure. Set the temperature of the gas grills high as this will help in turning the oil stains into ashes. Then use a wire brush along with a solution of soapy water and start removing the stains from the grates of your grills.
- Check the burner tubes:
Ingredients develop taste but the flame brings deliciousness to the food. So, if the burner tubes are not providing the desired flame, the gas grill is of no use. Keep on cleaning the burner tubes so that they may function properly. Also, inspect them time after time that either there is any need to change them or not because the food leftovers or grease might block the tubes and the flame will be not sufficient in this case. So, it is your choice that you can replace the tubes of the grill also, you can do a proper cleaning. For your ease, you can remove the tubes from the grill, clean them, and then attach them back for further use.
- Remove the grease:
Among all these factors, you might have noticed that grease is common among all issues. Not only common, but grease stains decrease the lifespan of the grills by compromising their quality. Also, your health can be affected by cooking food on such greasy grills. The food will either not cook properly or the burning essence of the grease will add to your food. The taste of the food will be altered in this way as a slight touch of bitterness will be added to it. Lastly, the grease can also affect other parts of the grill and hinder their performance.
How long does a propane grill last?
Propane grills last up to 5 to 15 years as well, but talking about a propane tank that usually weighs from 10 to 18 pounds, it will last for 18 to 20 hours. Only 2 pounds of propane fuel is used for one-time cooking on a grill of medium size. That means a single tank of propane can be used 8 times for cooking. To clean a propane grill, you can remove the propane tank, and then clean all the other parts conveniently. Check for leakage, and make it fit for use again. After every use, make sure you have turned off the supply from the propane tank. All of these techniques play a vital role in increasing the lifespan of the grill and improving its quality.
Can gas grills last forever?
It may seem unusual, but there are some people whose grill has last for more than 50 years. This is all about care and maintenance. If exposed to air, the moisture will lead to rust or the rain will make it worse. So, if you want to make your grill last indefinitely, then make sure you are keeping it at a secure place or covering it properly during the off-season. Also, if the body of your grill is all okay, but the interior parts such as regulators or burners are becoming problematic, then just replace the parts and keep the durable body. When you are investing a lot of money on buying gas grills, then to save replacement costs, it is good to buy a matching cover as well because it will prevent your grill from damaging.
Final Verdict:
In summary, one cannot tell by just buying the gas grills of any brand, size, or quality. The actual longevity of the gas grills depends on the level of care you are choosing for their maintenance. There is no doubt that quality makes an impact on the grill as good quality grills last for 10 to 15 years. But it can last more than 15 years if proper cleaning is done after every season and it is kept safe from dirt and rain. Save your money! Do not buy new gas grills with new seasons because you can use the previous one with high performance. All you have to do is lengthen the lifespan of your grills by conserving every part of the grill including regulators, burners, and many more. Choose the right material and do a one-time investment to ignore the expenses of repairing the parts.
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