You may have seen huge, towering piles of old appliances at a junkyard or municipal dump. Large metal items such as these are costly to dispose of, create a large amount of waste, and in some cases, could have been recycled. While it may be a bit too complex for the average person to repair a microwave or fridge, one household appliance that’s easy to refurbish is an old barbecue grill:

• Step 1: Take the grill apart.

It’s much easier to work on the parts individually. If there is a lot of rust or decaying components, take the grill apart before you begin to repair them. A screwdriver can get the top off the grill and many hoses and valves can be unscrewed by hand. Working on a gas grill? Be sure to remove the tank and close its valve before performing any work.

• Step 2: Remove rust and paint.

Once the components have been disassembled, tackle any rust and blemishes. Steel wool purchased from a hardware store will help sand off the rust, which can be covered by metal-appropriate spray paint. Choose a color to match what’s already on the grill, or sand down the old paint to a rough texture and repaint the whole grill. 

• Step 3: Replace parts as needed.

Remove the interior components of the grill such as the drip pan and grate and replace them with new parts if damaged, or use oven cleaner and steel wool to remove old food and save the parts. Reassemble the grill and then check out the gas system. Gas valves and hoses should always be replaced with new parts and tested for leaks using soapy water. Look for bubbles to indicate a leak at any of the connecting points. 

And voila! You are now ready for barbecue season! Grill on and enjoy your hard work!