How a visit works in a town this tight
Most Hermosa jobs look about the same from the curb: a narrow street, a two- or three-story house, and a grill on a deck or a small side patio.
- 1
You send a photo or two
A shot of the grill and one of how you get to it tells us what to bring and how long to plan. Stairs, side gates and shared walkways all matter here.
- 2
We plan the parking
Street parking near the Strand and Pier Plaza fills up fast, especially on weekends. We'll aim for an alley or a nearby side street and carry the gear in.
- 3
The area gets covered
Drop cloths go over decking, railings and anything nearby. On a small balcony that can mean moving a chair or two, which we'll put back.
- 4
We clean and inspect
Grates, burners and heat plates come out. The firebox, grease path and tray get cleaned, and we check ignition, gas connections and burner flame.
- 5
Everything leaves with us
Grease, carbon and rinse water go into sealed containers. You get a grill that lights and a deck without a ring of grease on it.
Sand is the part people forget
Salt gets the attention, but sand does its own damage. On windy afternoons it blows over balconies and settles into the grill's lower cavity, the grease tray and the venturi openings on the burners. Mixed with grease it turns into a gritty paste that holds moisture, and burner tubes rust from the inside out faster than you'd expect.
Fine sand in the air shutter can also throw off the gas and air mix, which shows up as lazy, yellow flames and sooty grates. If that's what you're seeing, our write-up on yellow flames on a gas grill walks through the usual causes. In Hermosa, sand and spider webs are near the top of the list.
Signs the ocean is getting to your grill
None of these mean the grill is finished. They mean it's time for a proper cleaning and a look underneath.
- Brown or orange freckling on the hood and control panel
- Knobs that stick or turn stiffly
- An igniter that clicks but sparks weakly, or not at all
- Flakes of metal in the bottom of the firebox
- Heat plates or flavorizer bars with holes rusted through
- Gritty buildup in the grease tray
- One burner noticeably weaker than the others
What we can do for your Hermosa grill
Cleaning
A full teardown cleaning, not a quick brush. Recommended once or twice a year this close to the water.
Learn moreRepair
Igniters, burners, valves, regulators and hoses. Common parts for most brands are on the truck.
Learn moreRust and corrosion work
Surface rust removed, rotted parts replaced, and stainless brought back where it can be.
Learn moreFire pits
Gas fire tables on decks and patios get cleaned, relit and checked for corroded burners.
Learn moreHermosa Beach grill questions
Is a cheaper grill worth repairing here, or should I just replace it?
It depends on the frame and firebox. If those are solid, replacing burners and igniters is often worth it. If the body itself is rusting through, we'll tell you plainly. Our guide on whether to repair or replace a grill lays out how we think about it.
Should I keep a cover on my grill?
Yes, but put it on after the grill has cooled and dried, and take it off now and then to let things air out. A cover over a damp grill can make salt damage worse.
Do you work on weekends?
We work seven days a week. Weekend slots go first in summer, so book a little ahead if you have a gathering coming up.
How do I get a price?
Call or text us, or send a few photos. Pricing depends on the grill's size, brand and condition and whether it needs parts.
Get the salt and sand out
Call or text us, or send a photo of your grill and how to reach it, and we'll set up a time.