I HAD NO IDEA HOW BAD IT WAS! My burners had rusted out and since they sit below a set of plates that sit below the grill surface, I never bothered to look. You could definitely tell that there was something wrong when cooking, since I had major hot spots and I couldn't reliably figure out cook times. Each burner had rusted through, some were holding together just enough to cook by, one was a flame thrower. |
Identifying your grill is much easier if you can find the Model# or even the brand name via a sticker on the underside somewhere. Mine was in back near the gas cylinder. The internet makes all of the difference here when looking for replacements. No need to visit a BBQ store, but you can if you prefer to patronize a brick-and-mortar businesses. You may have to search a couple of different word combinations. |
I was able to find my brand-new stainless steel burner set for less than $20 shipped from Amazon (or a retailer via Amazon). I couldn't be 100% sure they would work, but it turns out that there aren't that many different grills or different burners out there. So just by identifying the size and shape via my original parts and their website pictures, I felt comfortable I had the right set. When it arrived I was happy to see that I chose wisely. If you are really unsure of the parts, make sure you have an easy return option. Paying a little more at a brick-and-mortar businesses may be the better choice in this case. |
I took the opportunity once everything was removed, to power-wash my BBQ inside and out. I didn't use any soap or chemicals since this cooks food, but the pressure of my cheap power-washer was enough to get it this clean. If you want to clean deeper, now is the time, but keep in mind that it is just going to build-up "flavor" again. The grills themselves got a little more cleaning via a wire brush since I wanted them to be clean and ready to grill. |
There was a little rust on the heat plates, but I wasn't worried about that since it never touches the food. Anything that was stainless steel, like the grills came clean with a little elbow grease. I don't think the grills ever looked this good (I never saw them new since this BBQ was a hand-me-down from a family member). |
I had some really rusty original screws and I don't remember the new burner set coming with any new screws. I had a couple screws break off in the hole when trying to remove them, so I knew I was going to be short on screws.
The good news is that there are common sized screws elsewhere on the BBQ, as long as you "borrow" one from a non-structural location it should be fine. Or you can head to the hardware store and look for matched replacements.
I only needed one screw per burner since they wouldn't want to twist anyway due to the way they rest on the edge of the sheet metal. Notice my nice shiny new screw "borrowed" from underneath somewhere.
The good news is that there are common sized screws elsewhere on the BBQ, as long as you "borrow" one from a non-structural location it should be fine. Or you can head to the hardware store and look for matched replacements.
I only needed one screw per burner since they wouldn't want to twist anyway due to the way they rest on the edge of the sheet metal. Notice my nice shiny new screw "borrowed" from underneath somewhere.
Taking the bottom panel apart was a little difficult, but mostly it was figuring out how it was constructed and where screws were placed. Be careful not to strip out any screws.
I needed access to the front panel so I could loosen it a bit. Just enough so I could pull on it to gain a little room to slide the new burners over each gas valve. Then the burners just screw their floating end to the back wall of the BBQ.
I needed access to the front panel so I could loosen it a bit. Just enough so I could pull on it to gain a little room to slide the new burners over each gas valve. Then the burners just screw their floating end to the back wall of the BBQ.
You can see on the two right pictures, that the burner end, the one with the adjustable slot and screw (seen in middle and far right pic) just slides over the gas valve. After loosing panel screws, I just had to pull on the front panel enough to give it the room to slide in.
Just reassemble what is left and reconnect the gas and check for leaks with soapy water at each joint.
Just reassemble what is left and reconnect the gas and check for leaks with soapy water at each joint.
Cooking with gasIn no time at all, you'll be cooking with gas (I couldn't resist the joke). There is another step where you inspect the flame and adjust the adjust able slot on each burner in order to get the best flame. With all of my adjustments, I couldn't see a difference so I left them in the middle. Maybe its my altitude or lack there of. I can now happily grill Tri-Tip or anything that needs to sit with the lid closed at an even temperature. |