| Refurbishing a Grill |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-306 |
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Q: The old gas grill has seen better days, but I don't want to buy a new one. How can I fix it up? A: (from Brad Staggs, Ask DIY Home Repair expert) Before getting started on this project, you'll want to make sure you have all the items you'll need to do a thorough job. And if possible, wait until the weather is good - it makes the job much more enjoyable! Note: Due to the strong cleaning agents used to clean grills, this project is best done outdoors. If you have to do your cleaning indoors, however, be sure to use the grill cleaner only in well-ventilated areas. Materials: Spray-on grill cleaner (sold in home-improvement and hardware stores)
Wire brush
Rag
Sanding pads
Grill primer
High-heat enamel paint
Piece of sheet aluminum (if lower panel of cart has rusted through)
Tin snips (if using sheet aluminum)
- When you open the cover of your grill and look at the underside, you'll most likely see a buildup of grease and grime. This is the best place to start your cleaning. Spray the entire area thoroughly with grill cleaner / degreaser (figure A), then allow it to sit for several minutes so it has time to start working. Then begin scrubbing it with the wire brush, using a firm back-and-forth motion (figure B ).
- Once you've loosened the layer of buildup, wipe the surface thoroughly with a rag (figure C) to remove the dirt and residue. (Depending on the type of grill cleaner you use, you may be able to spray the surface with a hose to remove the remaining film; consult the label for directions.)
Tip: If your grill cover has glass along the front, be sure to spray the inside of this area with cleaner as well, but use just the rag to remove buildup; using the wire brush on glass will scratch it. - Once you've cleaned the inside of the cover, you're ready to move on to the grate. Keep in mind that the work required on this area will be minimized if you scrub the grate with the grill brush (figure D) every time after cooking. This will keep the surface free of most food particles and grease, preventing accelerated deterioration.
If your grate is already past the point of no return, you may want to go ahead and invest in a new one. Many new grates, like the one shown in figure E, feature expandable sides for a one-size-fits-all design. - You'll also want to closely examine the burner on your grill (figure F). If you find that the holes along the edges have rusted through or become worn to the point where they're different sizes, you may also want to consider investing in a new burner. (If some of the holes are larger than others, the result will be irregular flames that may cause foods to cook unevenly.)
Grill burners generally run about $10 to $15, so replacing a worn one is often well worth the investment. Installation is easy: simply remove the existing burner and attach the new one to the same valves. - And don't forget the front of the grill -- to clean this area, you'll need to first remove the knobs; on most models, these will pull off easily. Then just spray the area with grill cleaner, wipe clean (figure G) and snap the knobs back in place.
- If any surfaces of your grill are mottled with rust or scale, you can refresh them with a basic sanding pad (figures H and I) -- and a little elbow grease! Once you've given all affected areas a thorough scrub, be sure to brush them off to make sure they're free of dust.
- The next step is to protect the newly cleaned surfaces with a coat of primer followed by a coat of high-heat enamel paint (figure J). (Make sure you use a rust-inhibiting primer that's specifcally made for use on metal.)
- If the lower panel on the grill cart has become excessively worn or rusted through, you can cover it with a piece of sheet aluminum. You'll need to purchase a piece large enough to cover the area, then cut it to meet the specific dimensions. To fit it around the square legs of the cart, simply clip out the corners of the precut sheet (figure K) using tin snips. (Use caution here; the edges of the sheet aluminum are extremely sharp.) To attach the aluminum sheet to the panel, simply apply a layer of adhesive caulk to the surface and gently press the sheet in place.
- For grills with small wood-slat shelves on one or both sides, these surfaces will also need to be refurbished. You may be able to simply remove the slats, turn them over and reattach to reveal the better wood of the underside. If both sides of the slats show lots of wear, simply sand the wood with a sanding pad (figure L) and apply a coat of polyurethane that's made for outdoor use.
Now the grilling can begin!
RESOURCES :
National Barbecue Association
National Barbecue Association
Douglas , GA 31533
Website: www.rbjb.com/rbjb/nbbq.htm
Barbecue Supplies (Barbeques Galore)
Barbeques Galore
Website: www.bbqgalore.com
The Great Barbecue Companion: Mops, Sops, Sauces, and Rubs
Model: 0895948060
Author: Bruce Bjorkman
(March 1996)
Crossing Press
Memphis Barbecue, Barbeque, Bar-B-Que, Bar-B-Q, B-B-Q
Model: 0925175161
Author: Carolyn S. Wells
Finger Lickin, Rib Stickin, Great Tasting Barbecue
Model: 0894802089
Author: Jane Butel
Workman Publishing Co. Inc.
New York, NY 10003-9555
Phone: 212-254-5900
Fax: 212-254-8098
Jerk: Barbecue from Jamaica
Model: 0895944391
Author: Helen Willinsky
The Cook's Encyclopedia of Barbecues, Grills & Outdoor Eating
Model: 0754808025
Author: Christine France
Barbecues 101
Model: 076790673X
Author: Rick Rodgers
Broadway Books/Random House, Inc.
Website: www.randomhouse.com
The Barbecue Bible
Model: 076113177
Author: Steven Raichlen
(1998)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Workman Publishing Co. Inc.
New York, NY 10003-9555
Phone: 212-254-5900
Fax: 212-254-8098
How To Grill: The Complete Illustrated Book Of Barbecue Techniques
Model: 0761120149
Author: Steven Raichlen
(2001)
Workman Publishing Co. Inc.
New York, NY 10003-9555
Phone: 212-254-5900
Fax: 212-254-8098
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