BBQ Lifespan?

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: supton
At least one of the heat shields seem to be gone too. I tried to light it manually, but no go--get very weak flame. Was working just fine one day, next day no go.

Will talk to the wife and see what she wants to do. Ours gets used for grilling in the summer, of course, but also to boil water in the summer, so as to keep the heat out of the house, so a side burner is important. I guess at this point I have little to lose by taking it apart and messing with it.
Look for spider webs in the venturi.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: Danh
Originally Posted By: supton
Originally Posted By: Danh
Or buy a Weber charcoal grill: 2 moving parts, lifespan longer than most humans, food tastes better and lots cheaper to boot. It's the manly thing to do.


Perhaps, but how long does it take to make burgers and dogs? I turn on ours, wait 2-3 minutes, toss on stuff. Wait 5, flip; wait 5. Might need one more minute, if making cheeseburgers. Done.


Charcoal grills take 15-20 minutes to get the coals up to temp. Just enough time to have a beer while you wait.
And on a windy day you get plenty of tasty ash in the burger.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: Mr_Incredible
I'd invest in a new one if you can swing it. My last one (Charmglow) is at least ten years old and has zero rust...it's stainless. The grates are stained but as thick and solid as the day I got it. I'll keep those grates for the rest of my life.

But the burners die. I've had to replace all three. The clicky lighter still works.

I clean it out yearly and replace burners as required. I have to get the burners online and they aren't cheap. No hardware store would have them on hand; there are just too many to inventory.

You can buy a new "clicky" on the 'net for less than ten bucks delivered.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

There's nothing like the taste off charcoals, prefer hardwood myself... however the convenience of gas is undeniable and its still tastes better than something's cooked off the stove or microwave.

I usually only fire off the charcoal on weekends... more time, slower pace, few beers, etc..

Our gas Weber Genesis is on the order of 15+ years, which we got second hand to boot. It stays outside all year and thru the winters. The wood (tray and handle) has been replaced and the "flavorizer" bars needed to as well.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Our Genesis is still going strong. Other than periodic cleaning, I've had to do nothing as far as repair or maintenance to it. Our red top is still going strong at the lake house-we were there a couple weeks ago and used it several times.

You can buy a $200 grill and replace it every few years (at least it gives you something to post about) or you can buy a quality grill and use it for decades.

 

[supton]

Well, to be fair:
-grill was a house buying present from my parents. I've bought two regulators for it, nothing else.
-it's been over a decade of use.

I get the idea of buying quality, which is why I placated the wife and put off the purchase.