Common grill parts that need to be replaced

Most homes in the United States own a grill or barbecue. Most of the components of these grills can be replaced with new grill parts, increasing the life and performance of the outdoor appliance. Charcoal grills require the least maintenance and generally require no more than new charcoal grills and cooking grills. Gas grills, on the other hand, are more complex and many components wear out over time. Grill replacement parts for a gas barbecue include burners, valves, and heat shields. Here’s a quick look at the main parts of the grill and when they need to be replaced.

1. Burners

The burner on a gas grill is the source of heat. The burner is hollow with gas inlet and outlet ports, each with a separate control. Some grills have only one burner, while others have dual burners with corresponding controls on the control panel. Most of the burners on a gas grill are H burners or oval burners. High-end grills even have three or four separate burners, called pipe, tube, or rail burners. Some are made of cast iron or aluminized steel, although stainless steel gas burners last longer. If you have a gas grill with cheaper burners and you want to extend its life, try replacing these parts of the gas grill with stainless steel.

2. Cooking grates

The cooking grate, or rack, is the surface that food sits on while cooking. Cheap racks are made of chrome steel, which does not last long. Stainless steel is the most durable, followed by porcelain-coated steel and cast iron. Grates that are not made of stainless steel will eventually begin to rust as the coating wears out, at which point the grill parts need to be replaced.

3. Rock gratings

This grate is located just above the burner. It is used to contain lava rocks or briquettes and prevents the drip from hitting the burner while dispersing the heat. This is one of the cheapest replacement parts for a grill and should be replaced when it cannot contain stones. Most are made of carbon steel, which begins to rust fairly quickly.

4. Heat shields

The heat shield can also be called a heat plate, heat tent, heat angle, or burner shield. This part keeps drips off the burner and distributes the heat throughout the grill. Heat shields are generally preferred over rock screen because they do not retain bacteria and are easier to replace.

5. Valves

Valves need to be replaced when they don’t work properly or start to rust. Unlike burners, the replacement valve for a grill must fit exactly and parts can be harder to find. Defective valves are one of the most common reasons most grills are thrown away, although they can be easily replaced if you find the parts for your grill.

6. Publications

Virtually all grill posts eventually rust and need to be repaired, although it is fairly easy to buy this part that mounts the grill head.

Other parts of the grill include heat gauges, trays, handles, and other small grill accessories. Most of these are available from the original manufacturer or an aftermarket company.