Post-war lots, a lot of remodels
Most of Mar Vista was built out in the 1940s and 1950s as single-family homes on modest lots, with the hill on the north side and flatter streets running toward Venice Boulevard and Culver City. The Mar Vista Tract, designed by Gregory Ain, is a protected pocket of mid-century modern houses. Around it, many of the original bungalows have been expanded, rebuilt or had their yards redone, and an outdoor cooking area is a common part of those projects.
That mix shows up in what we work on. One street might have a brand-new built-in grill, a twenty-year-old freestanding cart and a smoker someone got serious about during the pandemic. We see all of it, and the work changes with each.
Signs your grill is due for a visit
If two or more of these sound familiar, a cleaning or repair will make a noticeable difference.
- Flare-ups every time you cook something fatty
- The igniter clicks but you end up lighting it with a match
- One side of the grill runs much cooler than the other
- Yellow, lazy flames instead of blue ones
- A gas smell near the knobs or the tank
- Grease dripping onto the patio from under the cart
- The hood has stopped staying open, or the handle wobbles
Common jobs on Mar Vista backyards
Deep cleaning
A real teardown: burners, heat shields, grates and firebox cleaned, grease path cleared, everything reassembled and test-fired.
Learn moreSwitching to natural gas
Tired of swapping propane tanks? If a gas line is already run to the patio, we can convert compatible grills with the right orifices and regulator.
Learn moreFixing uneven heat
Usually clogged ports or a damaged burner. We find the cause and fix it so the whole surface cooks evenly.
Learn moreSmokers and griddles
Pellet grills, offset smokers and flat-tops get cleaned and serviced too, not only gas grills.
Learn moreAssembling a new grill
Bought a grill that showed up in a dozen boxes? We'll assemble it and leak-test the gas connections.
Learn moreNatural gas or propane: worth thinking about
A lot of remodels in this area add a gas stub on the patio but leave the old propane grill hooked to a tank. Converting can make sense, but not every grill can be converted safely, and the manufacturer's kit matters. Read our propane vs. natural gas guide first, then send us the model number and we'll tell you whether it's an option. Our note on finding the model and serial tag helps if you're not sure where to look.
Mar Vista is far enough from the beach that salt isn't the main problem it is in Venice, though the marine layer still drifts in. The bigger issues here tend to be age and use: grills that have been cooked on hard for years with little more than a grate brush between sessions.
Before and after
Grills our techs have brought back to working order.
Mar Vista FAQ
Do you only work on built-in grills?
No. Freestanding carts, kettles, pellet grills, smokers and griddles are all fine. We service what you have.
Can you add a gas line for a conversion?
We convert the grill itself. If there's no gas stub on your patio yet, you'll need a plumber to run one first. Once it's there, we handle the rest.
My grill is old. Should I just buy a new one?
Sometimes, but a solid stainless grill with worn burners and igniters is often cheaper to rebuild than replace. We'll give you an honest call after looking at it.
How much will it be?
It depends on the grill's size, brand, condition and what parts it needs. Call or text, or send us a couple of photos, and we'll quote it.
Book a Mar Vista visit
Call or text us, or send a couple of photos and we'll reply with a quote.