The Average Lifespan Of Your Charcoal Grill

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Finding the right grill for the patio or backyard can be kind of a big purchase and a big commitment. First you need to decide whether to go with a gas or charcoal grill. While a charcoal grill may require more maintenance than something like a pellet grill and is a bit more difficult to use — you have to deal with lighting the charcoal and getting the temperature and airflow just right, most chefs agree that charcoal is the best choice for that true smoky flavor that gas just can't get you. Especially when it comes to a perfectly grilled steak, charcoal is the way to go because the dripping fat adds to the flavor of the meat. But when you buy a new charcoal grill, just how long can you expect it to last?

Depending on the quality of the grill and how you take care of it, you can expect the average lifespan of a charcoal grill to be anywhere from 5 to 15 years, and they can even go up to two decades or so, if you're properly caring for them. Other than the flavor, the good news on charcoal grills is that they're usually significantly less expensive than gas grills, but they do need regular maintenance.

The first thing about any charcoal grill's lifespan usually comes down to the quality of metal or mixed materials of the charcoal bowl and the lid. These can range from thin metal to cast iron, to porcelain-coated steel, and beyond. If you're going with a standard charcoal Weber model, for example, it's likely to give you more years than the regular life of a Weber gas grill. Depending on the model, and because there are fewer (or no) electronics on a charcoal grill, it's really the bowl and lid that you're worried about. A Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, which is available online, has the main parts warrantied for 10 years. If there are other plastic components, they may go sooner, but for a super simple set-up, you'll be guaranteed for at least a decade.

To keep your home charcoal grill lasting longer, you're going to need to think about cleanup and storage. When you're not using your grill, you should keep it covered to avoid the detrimental effects of rain, snow, and sun. And after you use your grill, you'll need to empty the ash once it has cooled. If you leave the ash in the catchment area, it might add to corrosion or just become a massive solid mess that's really tough to clean out when left to accumulate. To keep the exterior clean, you can use a paper towel with some regular glass cleaner on porcelain-coated lids. And you'll probably want to heat up the grate for 15 minutes or so before cooking, then give it a good scrub with a metal brush to remove anything leftover from the last cook. But with regular maintenance, your charcoal grill may make it to its 20s before it needs to retire.