Like any other investment you make in your home, your cooking appliances should be durable and reliable.
Outdoor cooking appliances are expected to be hard-wearing and able to resist the elements.
Sadly, not all grills are created equal.
If you’re in the market for a new grill, you’ve probably asked the question: how long do gas grills usually last?
It’s an important question, especially when you consider that you could be spending anything from $200 to over $2000 on your next grill.
Take a look at the average lifetime of a grill, and then see our tips to choose the best model for your money.
The Lifetime of a Quality Grill – Component Breakdown
Determining how long a grill usually lasts is a difficult exercise.
After all, there are countless grill manufacturers, and all of them use different materials and manufacturing methods.
We’ve taken a look at some of the best mid-range grills and the warranties that manufacturers provide on individual components.
You can take these as an average expected lifetime for the various parts.
- Exterior housing should last for up to 10 years on a mid-range grill.
- Cooking grids typically last between 5 and 10 years.
- Solid burners last up to 5 years.
- Flame tamers last around 3 years.
- Gas valves last around 2 years with regular use.
- Ignitions usually last around 2 years.
- Painted exteriors can last between 1 and 10 years, depending on the quality of the paint and the skill of the manufacturer.
You can see that the lifetime of individual components can vary significantly.
Burners are working every time a grill is used, as are valves, so they won’t last as long as the exterior housing.
Cooking grids have a wide range of lifetime between 5 and 10 years because manufacturers use materials that range from low-grade chrome wire, right up to solid stainless steel.
There are always variables when it comes to buying a grill.
You can take a look at the next section to choose the right grill for your money.
Buying a Grill That Lasts Longer
You will always be limited by your budget, so you won’t always be able to choose a top-of-the-range grill with high-end components.
However, you can focus on some important features to ensure you get a long-lasting gas grill.
- Stainless steel lasts longer than any other material. Choose a grill that uses as much stainless steel as possible. Burners, cooking grates, and housing will all last longer when made from stainless steel.
- If you choose a grill with iron grates, pick a model that uses porcelain-enamel cast iron. This is non-stick and longer-lasting.
- Commercial burners last longer than consumer types. If you have it in your budget, choose a grill with commercial components.
- A stainless steel exterior will last up to ten years or even more in most cases. If you need to buy something more affordable, look for enamel surfaces for durability. Powder-coated surfaces typically only last 1 or 2 years before starting to chip and rust.
Most importantly, choose a brand that you can trust.
The brand will be an important factor if you’re asking how long do gas grills usually last.
Well-known brands like Weber, Dyna-Glo, and Char-Broil are well known for their quality.
These manufacturers put time into research and development to produce long-lasting and reliable appliances.
If a purchase decision comes down to the manufacturer, choose the most well-known brand within a price range that you’re comfortable with.
Carefully compare warranty periods to determine which grill is likely to last the longest.
A company that offers an extensive warranty typically has confidence in its workmanship and materials.
Even an affordable grill will last you at least two years when used regularly.
Maximize your budget by choosing a grill that has the best possible materials, and check the warranty before you buy.
It features stainless steel for increased style and durability, and it has two large side shelves to make prep and storage easy.
Quality is impressive, especially considering the affordable price.
This grill looks and performs great, and with porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates, it is ready to provide years of trouble-free use, even for the most demanding home cooks.
How Long Do Gas Grills Last?
There’s no straightforward answer to the question of how long gas grills last…
However, you can ensure the longest possible life for your new grill by choosing the right materials.
Storing the grill or investing in a cover will provide an even longer return on your investment, giving you a reliable outdoor cooking appliance for every party, family meal, or whenever culinary inspiration strikes.