Firing up the grill and throwing on some burgers or steaks is one of the best ways I can think of to spend time enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends. That is, if your grill is ready for the occasion. If your gas grill has seen better days, then maybe it’s time to think about investing a little time, and a little elbow grease, into fixing it up. You’ll be glad you did when you sink your teeth into that juicy steak that’s perfectly cooked, just the way you like it.

Today, we’ll show you how to take your aging gas grill from its current state of disrepair and restore it to almost-like-new condition. First we will give it a good cleaning and then we’ll replace some worn-out parts with new ones that will restore its original flair and sizzle.

So let’s get started.

Any time you’re performing any work or maintenance on a gas grill, even just cleaning it, the first thing you need to do is disconnect the propane tank and remove it as a safety precaution. Double check to make sure the gas is turned off at the tank before doing this.

Next, open the lid and remove the old cooking grates and burner cover bars. If they just need a good cleaning, first soak them in warm soapy water before cleaning them with dishwashing detergent and a scouring pad. However, if you see extensive rust and deep pitting, like you see here, it’s time replace these components for new ones. Since our grill came with porcelain enameled cast iron grates, we’re going to replace them with the same type, along with the burner covers. However, you can also upgrade to stainless steel as an option. Also, take out the warming rack that hangs from the hood of the grill and clean it if possible. Again, if it’s too pitted with rust, don’t bother. Just replace it, as we’re going to do.

Now that the burners are exposed, inspect them closely. If they have been protected by grill cover bars, they are probably still in pretty good shape. Give them a good scouring with steel wool or a wire brush, followed by a scrubbing with an all-purpose cleaner degreaser and brush. If you notice some of the small holes in the burners are clogged, poke them through with a paper clip or a finish nail to open them up. However if they are cracked or rusted through, definitely replace them for new ones as a safety precaution following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Now, scrape the inside of the grill and the hood with a putty knife to remove as much residue away as possible. Then spray it with an all-purpose cleaner and degreaser and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with a hose.

If you have a pressure washer, now is a good time to give the entire grill a good washing inside and out. If not, a garden hose with a soft bristle brush will also work.

Make sure you do this out in the yard to avoid staining your driveway or any other concrete surface. After washing, scrub away any additional grease and grime and repeat. Let it dry thoroughly.

The push button igniter switch quit working last season, so we’re going to replace it as well according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This will make our grill safer to use and a lot more convenient as we won’t have to light it manually any longer. If it’s not working, you might also want to replace the thermometer. Ours still works fine, so we don’t have to worry about that for now.

Now, we’ll install all our new replacement parts and re-install the propane tank.

Turn it on, fire it up, and there you have it. This should give us several more years of good service. And I can already taste those steaks sizzling right now.

If you have questions about this or any other home improvement project, be sure to read our list of Frequently Asked Questions for this video. And be sure to print out our Project Instructions, which includes a Tools and Materials checklist, before visiting your local independent home improvement retailer. That’s where you’ll find all the products and helpful advice to complete your project. If you’re not sure where to find your local store, check out our Store Locator.

Good luck with your project and thanks for watching.

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