So you’re about to buy your dream gas grill. But before you shell out all your hard-earned money, you want to know how long you can expect your gas grill to last. You’ve come to the right place!
In this TheGrillingDad.com guide, you will learn:
- How long gas grills last
- How to prolong the life of your gas grill
- And much more!
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How Long Do Gas Grills Last?
Gas grills aren’t cheap, and if you are getting one with all the bells and whistles that you have fallen in love with, it can be helpful to know when you should expect to be parted from your gas grill.
If cared for properly and used semi-regularly, the average gas grill will last for 5-15 years. But for those who are rougher on their gas grill or use it every day, you may only get 3-5 years out of your gas grill, depending on how you treat it.
Either way, don’t be disheartened, as there are some easy ways to prolong the life of your favorite grill. Read on to learn more about them so you can enjoy your new favorite grill for as long as possible.
What Affects How Long Your Gas Grill Lasts?
As you can see, 5-15 years is a long range of time you can expect to get out of your gas grill. But how do you know how long your specific grill should last?
The Price You Paid
Well, generally, the more you pay upfront, the higher the quality grill you will be buying. If you are buying an expensive grill for around $2000, you should definitely expect this grill to be at the higher end of the 5-15 year range.
If you are going cheap, however, and looking for a gas grill under $200, we highly expect you will be looking for another gas in 5-7 years. You get what you pay for, it’s as simple as that.
What Temp You Cook At
But there is one other factor that affects how long your grill will last, and this is the temperatures you regularly use to grill. Grills that are used on high temps regularly will naturally burn out before those used for lower temperatures.
So if you know in advance you want to use your gas grill to cook at high temperatures, then you are better off purchasing a higher-quality grill as it will last you longer.
The Amount of Fatty Meats You Cook
Everyone loves a good, fatty cut of brisket. But did you know cooking these cuts of meat regularly can put more wear and tear on your grill?
This is because the more fatty meat you cook, the more grease drips down, and the higher chance you have of grease fires in your grill. While not every grease fire may be large enough to note, the more frequently they occur (even if small), the more this degrades your grill and will result in parts needing to be replaced.
Obviously, we aren’t suggesting you never cook anything fatty on your grill, we are just letting you know that you can’t expect a cheap grill to last 15 years when you are making a brisket every weekend!
Average Gas Grill Lifespan
The average lifespan of a gas grill is about 5-15 years. Most gas grills come with a warranty of at least 3 years, though some brands offer them for longer.
How to Make Your Gas Grill Last Longer
Unless you are looking for an excuse to purchase a new grill every 3 years, below are some tips to help your gas grill to last as long as possible.
Store Your Grill In the Garage
While it might seem easy to set up your gas grill on the back porch and leave it there for all eternity, this really isn’t that great for your grill. Some grills are built to survive some adverse weather, but the average gas grill is not built to withstand rain every day or massive snowstorms.
If possible, store your grill in the garage when not in use. If you use it every day during the summer (and summer is mild where you live), then leaving it outside during the summer season is probably okay as long as you wheel it in when it begins to rain.
For those who absolutely don’t have a choice, such as those with a gas grill on their balcony, purchasing a cover for your gas grill can go a long way towards helping your grill last for years to come.
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Clean Your Grill
If you want your grill to last a long time, you absolutely must clean it. Otherwise, you may notice that food begins to build up and break down the materials on the grill.
The best practice is to clean your grill after every use with a grill brush and scraper to get any of the food left off the grill. Besides just cleaning after every use, your grill should be deep cleaned regularly. For people who use the grill once per week, a deep cleaning once at the beginning and end of the summer season is sufficient.
If you are an avid griller using your gas grill every day, then we recommend performing a deep cleaning at least once a month. Beyond just prolonging the life of your grill, this will also ensure you are operating it safely.
Something unique to gas grill owners is that you should also frequently check your grill for gas leaks. A gas leak can both damage your grill and cause danger to the person who operates it, so checking for this as you clean your grill each season can help you stop a disaster before it happens.
Upgrade/Replace Parts
Unfortunately, sometimes certain parts of the grill die before others. For example, on a gas grill, your ignition switch could die far before the grill becomes unusable.
When this happens, replace the faulty parts as soon as possible and don’t use the grill with the faulty part as this could cause damage to the grill. Chances are if you replace a part or two, you can keep your favorite grill going for at least a few extra years!
One mistake many people make is when the grate starts to rust, they toss out the grill. In most grills, the grate is replaceable. Not only is it replaceable, but this is a great time to upgrade and get a porcelain-finished grate that won’t rust.
Upgrading parts of your grill like the grate are acceptable at any time, and if you purchase a quality part will always extend the life of your grill.
Signs Your Gas Grill Needs Replacing
Do you think it might be time for you to get a new gas grill? Here are some signs that your grill is on its last legs:
- Parts that are rusty
- Parts of the grill don’t work properly
- The grill cooks food unevenly
- The gas hoses are cracked or leaking
- Your grill doesn’t ignite every time you try
- You’ve received a repair estimate that is higher than the price of the grill
Repairing Your Gas Grill
Besides cleaning your grill with some regularity, it is not recommended to attempt repairing your gas grill on your own. You should contact the maker of the grill or hire a professional because of the danger associated with gas grills.
It is typically very expensive to repair a gas grill, so if your grill is already older than 5 years when it breaks, you are likely better off purchasing a new grill.
When to Replace Grill Parts
If a single part of your grill breaks, then it may be worth replacing in order to continue using your grill. Generally, the only parts it is recommended to replace are as follows:
- Burners
- Grates
- Igniter
- Heat plates
If the piece broken on your grill is not one of the above pieces, you are better off replacing your grill entirely.
Can You Make a Gas Grill Last Indefinitely?
Unfortunately, no matter how well you care for your gas grill, it will eventually be time to put it out to pasture. Gas grills aren’t perfect, and eventually, the gas lines will wear down, or the unit will rust beyond return.
You can only replace parts as long as the manufacturer is still making them, and at some point, they will stop. In these cases, you’ll need to buy a new grill.
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Final Thoughts on How Long Do Gas Grills Last?
Overall, you can expect any decent, quality gas grill to last 5-15 years when you care for it properly. Caring for a gas grill properly includes cleaning it, storing it inside, and upgrading and replacing parts when they break.
Of course, even if you try your best, you may find that your gas grill breaks right at the 5-year mark. Don’t despair, as now this just means you have a great opportunity to purchase a new gas grill with cool new features!
