OEM vs. Universal Grill Parts

OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts are made by or for the grill's manufacturer, to its specs, for specific models. Universal or aftermarket parts are made by third parties to fit a range of grills, usually by size or shape. Some aftermarket parts are model-specific copies of the originals; others are adjustable, like heat plates that extend to different lengths.

Neither is automatically good or bad. Some universal parts are well made and fit perfectly. Some are thinner, poorly sized or simply wrong. The trick is knowing which parts tolerate a little imprecision and which don't.

• On a premium built-in still in production: original burners, igniters and heat plates keep the grill heating evenly and lighting reliably.
• When the grill is under warranty: using non-original parts can complicate a claim. Read what grill warranties actually cover.
• For any part that sets the flame: burners on high-end grills, infrared burners and valves.
• When fit is tight: grills with snug fireboxes leave no room for a universal part that's a quarter inch off.

• The original part is discontinued. A well-made universal part can keep an otherwise sound grill in service. See finding parts for discontinued grills.
• Simple, non-gas parts: grates, heat plates and warming racks with a good measured fit.
• A better material than the original: heavy stainless rod grates to replace thin porcelain ones, for example.

On repair visits we generally use original parts when they're available, because they fit and perform as designed. When they're not, we'll tell you, explain what the alternative is, and only use it if it's safe and will work properly. Our techs carry common parts for many premium brands on the truck, so many repairs like igniter replacement and heat plate replacement happen on the first visit.