Older homes, older grills
Bixby Knolls sits in north-central Long Beach, around Atlantic Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard, with Los Cerritos and Virginia Country Club next door to the west. The homes are mostly from the 1920s through the 1950s: Spanish revivals, Traditionals and ranch houses on generous lots with mature trees. Plenty of these backyards got a built-in island at some point in the last 25 years, and many of those grills are now the original ones.
Being several miles from the beach, grills here don't fight salt the way they do in Belmont Shore. The problems are age and leaves. Valves stiffen, igniter modules give out, burners slowly crack, and the big sycamores and oaks drop debris that ends up inside the grill. Mice and spiders love an island that's been covered and quiet all winter.
Repair, restore or replace
Owners of an older built-in usually want one honest answer: is this worth fixing? Here's roughly how we think about it.
Repair
If the cookbox and housing are solid and parts are still available, repair almost always wins. Burners, igniters, valves and grates are replaceable on most premium grills, and a tired 15-year-old Lynx or DCS can cook like new afterward. See grill repair.
Restore
When several things are worn at once (burners, heat plates, grates, knobs, dull stainless) a restoration does all of it in one visit. It makes sense for a well-made grill that's been neglected.
Replace in the same cutout
Some older brands and models simply don't have parts anymore, or the firebox is cracked. Then we can find a new grill that fits the existing opening so the island, stone and countertop stay untouched. Our guide on replacing a built-in in the same cutout explains how that works.
What we see most in this neighborhood
Electronic ignition failures
Battery or AC spark modules on older built-ins quit after years of use. Often a module and electrode swap.
Learn moreStiff or leaking valves
Knobs that are hard to turn or a gas smell at the control panel. We replace valves and test every fitting.
Learn moreRodents and nests
Chewed wires and nesting material in the cabinet below the grill. We clean it out and repair the damage.
Learn moreDiscontinued models
Tracking down parts for grills whose maker stopped supporting them, or matching universal parts that fit right.
Learn moreOlder grills, brought back
Before and after photos of built-ins our techs have repaired and restored.
Bixby Knolls FAQ
Can you find parts for a grill that's 20 years old?
Often, yes. Many premium brands still support older models, and universal parts fit many others. Send us the model and serial number, or a photo of the tag, and we'll check.
Should I replace the grill if I'm redoing the backyard?
Not necessarily. If the grill is sound, a restoration might be all it needs. If you're rebuilding the island anyway, that's a good time to upgrade.
Do you service outdoor fireplaces?
Yes, gas fireplaces and fire pits both. See fireplace service.
How do you price a repair?
By the grill, the parts and the time it takes. Send photos or call or text, and we'll quote it before starting work.
Get an honest read on your grill
Call or text us, or send a couple of photos and the model tag for a quote.