Depending where you live, grilling out can be the perfect activity year round. It gets you outdoors, gathers people together, and produces some mouth-watering food. Out of the three main types of grills, gas grills are the most popular because they’re efficient and easy. If used frequently enough, a gas grill is a great investment for your home. 

The lifespan of a gas grill is in many ways up to you as the owner. Gas grills can last anywhere from five to 15 years. Many factors play into this time range, like frequency of use, the quality of the brand/manufacturer, how often you clean it, and where you store it. 

Cheaper grills, unsurprisingly, don’t tend to last as long. So if you opt for the cheaper option, just know you’ll likely find yourself replacing it more often, which may cost you more money down the road. However, even the highest quality grills will start to break down after years of wear and tear. There are many good practices to get in the habit of if you want to get the most out of your investment. 

It can be a challenge to find affordable gas grills that also are the longest lasting grills. 

Budget vs Quality Before Buying

Choosing a gas grill that fits your exact needs may sound difficult,  but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re replacing or buying one for the first time, you still want to find the perfect gas grill brand. 

If you’re on the hunt for a long lasting propane grill that won’t rust, there are several excellent brands of gas grills out there—like Twin Eagles and Delta Heat grills. Keep in mind when sorting through types of gas grills, though, that the longest lasting grill is not going to come with a low price tag. 

You don’t always have to sacrifice quality for affordability. Inexpensive gas grills can last you a long time if you take care of them. Usually the gas grill design that is the most durable is one that is made out of stainless steel. A high quality gas stainless steel grill will definitely last you toward the upper portion of that 5 to fifteen year span. 

Gas grill maintenance tips

Say you’ve already purchased your dream gas grill, and now you want to know the habits you should be getting into to keep in tip-top shape. 

One of the main things you should be doing frequently is cleaning. You can use the grill’s heat to aid you in this. But first, make sure you have the proper tools to clean. Steel wool brushes and degreasers (just make sure you’re buying the right kind of degreaser) are both must-have cleaning tools for gas grills. Most brands make an easy to clean grill.

Before and after cooking, turn the heat on the grill high and scrub. This helps get rid of any food debris that may be there from previous grill-outs. To prevent mess, try using aluminum foil on your dish before setting it down. Besides the surface, you also should be cleaning the burners annually, ideally before putting it away for a while.

Always make sure you’re covering the grill after use to protect it from the elements. If you’re putting it away for a long time, store it somewhere snow or harsh temperatures can’t get it (if you live somewhere that gets snow).

Another best practice for gas grill maintenance is replacing/repairing parts as soon as you notice they’re broken or starting to break. This will prevent further damage being done. Burners, grates, igniters, and heatplates are all parts that tend to be easy and affordable to replace. Also be routinely checking your propane gas line for leaks, in case the connection needs to be tightened or the line needs replacing. 

How long does a gas grill typically last?

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a gas grill that lasts forever, no matter how expensive it is or how perfect you maintain it. However, you can increase the lifespan of any quality of gas grill by taking good care of it. To recap, the best outdoor gas grill will be made out of durable, high quality stainless steel. However, these will be more pricey than others. No matter how good of a gas grill deal you get, just make sure you’re in the habit of cleaning it as frequently as you use it after you purchase.