There’s probably two main reasons why you need to dispose of your grill. The first is that your old one just doesn’t work any more. The other is that you want to upgrade to a bigger and better brand to become that weekend warrior when you cook on the grill in the backyard.
In either case, the question always becomes what do you do with your old grill? We’ll outline that in just a bit because as we all know, most times, you can’t just put it out front with your weekly trash.
So, with that in mind, let us give you some tips on what you should be doing to get rid of it the right way.
When Is It Right Time to Dispose of a Grill?
There are a few things to consider when deciding whether you need to get rid of your grill.
- Repair vs Replace: If your grill has a few years on it and requires frequent repairs, it may be more cost-effective to buy a new one. If that’s the case, Ocean State Job Lot has a variety of grills to choose from including our Grill Boss 4- and 5-Burner gas grills or others.
- Safety Hazards: Could your grill be dangerous to you or anyone who cooks on it? Damaged, broken or excessively rusty parts, especially on a gas grill, could pose a fire hazard.
- Functionality: Does the grill still heat evenly? Are the burners difficult to light? If the grill no longer functions easily, it’s probably a good sign that it’s time to move on to a new one.
Preparing Your Grill for Disposal
If you’ve made the decision to move on, what’s next? After you’ve disconnected your old grill from the gas or propane tank, you’ll want to clean it up. That means removing any food, grease, residue, charcoal, or ash that remains. You may need some brushes or rags to do that.
Secondly, check your city or town’s regulations. You may have to put a sticker on your old grill and pay a fee for bulk pickup, or they may have a drop-off site you can bring it to for recycling and avoid the disposal fee altogether.
Of course, you could always cross your fingers and wait on the luck of someone picking it up for scrap metal in front of your house, but that could turn it into an unwanted eyesore for your neighbors. It’s better if you reach out to someone you know who does pick up scrap metal.
Finally, if you are savvy enough to take it apart to make it easier for pickup, separate the metal parts from any of the plastic and electrical components and see if they are small enough so that they can be taken away in your weekly trash.
Options for Eco-Friendly Disposal
If you want to be sustainable and a little more earth-friendly when disposing of your grill, there are a few options for you to consider:
Recycling
Take it to a nearby recycling center. This is the most eco-friendly option, since it keeps waste out of landfills and reduces the need to mine new materials.
Donating for Reuse
Some charities are in need of grills for summer use so you may want to check with local organizations to see if there’s any interest. You’re going to want to make sure everything still works before you donate it as you don’t want the charity to be stuck with having to do any costly repairs.
Propane Tank Safe Disposal Practices
In order to be absolutely safe, make sure you follow along with these tips about your propane tank. Remember, they can’t be thrown away with the trash!
- Empty the Tank: Turn the grill on high and let it run until the flame goes out. If it doesn’t light, there may still be gas. Do not keep trying to light it.
- Disconnect and Remove: Turn off the valve on the tank and disconnect the hose following the manufacturer’s instructions. Most are just easy twist off disconnects that can be done using your hand or pliers.
- Recycle or Refill: If you are concerned that there is still gas in the tank and you don’t want to hang on to it, many hardware stores will recycle propane tanks.
No matter what your decision is, you can refill your propane tank or get a new one at your local Ocean State Job Lot at amazing prices that can’t be beat! It’s also a great place to take a look at upgrading your outdoor furniture for when you use your new grill.
Keep your grill safe from the winter weather by following tips from our blog post on the best ways to winterize your grill. These tips will add years to the life of your grill.