How To Get Rid Of An Old Gas Grill (Here's What You Can Do)
Gas grills are popular, even if you’re not Hank Hill. Using gas is a smart way to get a clean burn that lets you taste the meat’s full flavor. However, grills are just like any other type of appliance. They have a lifespan. Unfortunately, grills are not like bottles. When their time of use is up, you need to make sure that you dispose of them correctly.
Gas grills that are broken need to be recycled or picked up by a junk hauling company. If your grill still can be used without a risk to peoples’ health or safety, then you have the options of selling it or donating it to a good cause.
Because a bad grill can have explosive results, it’s important to know how to properly get rid of it. If you don’t, then you’re going to end up hurting someone…or worse.
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Why Is It Dangerous To Improperly Get Rid Of A Gas Grill?
A broken gas grill is dangerous to get rid of improperly, simply because of the risk that someone else may pick it up, use it, and have an explosion occur as a result of a gas leak. Moreover, if you get rid of a bad propane tank, you also might end up having similar results.
Can You Get Fined For Improper Gas Grill Disposal?
Yes, and it happens all the time. In many jurisdictions, disposing of your gas grill the wrong way can lead to fines. This is particularly common in areas where HOAs have a lot of power or where communities have green laws.
Can You Be Held Liable For Selling Or Donating A Bad Gas Grill?
As long as you give people a heads up that it’s used and will need repairs, you cannot really be held liable for this. They are the ones who are deciding to give the grill use, knowing that it could use repairs or inspection.
How Can You Dispose Of A Gas Grill?
So, there is a short-term answer that we can all agree on: carefully. Here’s the scoop on the three most common ways to get rid of a gas grill.
1. Recycle It
Recycling your gas grill is the smartest move if you are not sure whether or not it can work. It also is the go-to for people who want to help the environment, avoid getting fined, and keep people safe. Here’s what you need to do:
- Safely remove the propane tank from the gas grill. It’s best to assume that the tank is full. If you need help removing the tank or want to dispose of the tank, call your local propane service to get rid of the tank. They will usually come and remove the tank for free. (Don’t worry, they recycle!) If you don’t have a pickup service, remove the tank with a wrench, tie a garbage bag around it, and drop it off at your local service.
- Remove the rubber hose and throw it away. You cannot really recycle rubber, so it goes in the trash unless you can upcycle it.
- Check plastic knobs, shelves, and similar parts for a recycling symbol. If you see a recycling symbol on them, then you can place them in the recycling bin.
- Dispose of batteries and other electronics per local guidelines. You can usually drop them off at the grocery story battery recycling area.
- Throw out the casters. Casters, for some reason, can’t be recycled. Wheels, however, usually can be. You can add them to your regular recycling bin.
- Call up your local scrap pickup service and ask them to dispose of the rest of the gas grill. You can choose to call a local “junk lugging service,” but you also can sometimes request your local recycling service to do a special pickup. Check with your local municipal office to find out if this is the case. If you can’t do a pickup, bring the grill to a specialty recycling center that works with grills and scrap metal.
2. Donate It
Believe it or not, many nonprofits would love to have a gas grill—provided that the one that’s being donated works. Places like Habitat for Humanity will accept grills for homes that are meant for underprivileged individuals. While you may need to call other places (like Goodwill) ahead of time to see their policies, it’s still worth a shot.
If you choose to donate your grill to a charity, it’s a good idea to ask for a receipt as a write-off. You never know what you can get for it, if you choose to file it on your taxes.
3. Sell It
While you will have to make a note that the gas grill is being sold “AS-IS,” it’s also possible that you could sell an older (yet still usable) grill. There are two main ways to sell an old grill that I’ve seen work: eBay and Craigslist. With both options, it’s best to do the transaction in a safe, neutral place.
Most of the time, you can sell a gas grill for 30 to 50 percent of its initial sale price if it is in workable, non-broken order. Make sure you know what seller scams are before you go this route.
Can You Throw Away A Gas Grill?
You can, but it’s not advisable or legal in certain areas. Check to see if it’s okay in your area. If it is, then here’s how you can do it safely and properly:
- Remove the propane tank and propane hose per the instructions in the recycling blurb. You need to make sure that the propane tank does not end up in the garbage. The hose, though, should. This prevents people from using a broken gas grill.
- Call up your local trash pickup service and request a special pickup. Most areas will fine you if you don’t do this. If you can, give your HOA a heads up. Some of the local associations in cities will ask you to do that, just to make sure you’re not trying to trash your front lawn.
- When trash day arrives, place the grill on the curb. Attach a paper sign saying “BROKEN” so that people don’t try to grab it. After all, their safety still matters and people might be tempted to “dumpster dive” your old grill.
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Related Questions
How long does a gas grill last?
Believe it or not, gas grills do not last as long as you would expect them to. Most of them will last five to 10 years, as long as you maintain them well. If you get a top-shelf gas grill with a longer warranty, you might be able to get as much as 15 years out of them. Maintenance, of course, is key to getting a long shelf life.
How can you make your gas grill last longer?
Gas grills require lots of cleaning after every use. The cleaner your grill is, the better it will perform. Of course, there is more to your grill’s life than regular cleaning. It’s best to keep your grill covered when it’s not in use. If you have the ability to do so, wheel your grill into your garage during the wintertime. This prevents snow from rusting the main parts.Maintain your parts, too! To extend the life of your grill grates, use foil on your cooking. Oh, and don’t forget to fix any issues that you see.
Is it okay to try to fix your gas grill on your own?
It depends on the problem as well as the level of expertise that you have in repairs. Simple repairs can be doable, but it’s important to remember that you are dealing with flammable stuff. You need to make sure that the repair that you want to do is something you can do well, and that it won’t be a fire risk if you mess up.
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Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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