Old islands, new houses
Drive down almost any residential street in Temple City and you'll pass a modest single-story home, then a newly built two-story house, then another original. The backyards follow the same pattern. Older homes often have a built-in grill that went into a tile or block island twenty or more years ago. Newer homes tend to come with a full outdoor kitchen: a large grill, side burner, sink and refrigerator under one counter.
Both need care, but for different reasons. The older grills usually have burners that have rusted thin, valves that stick, and an ignition system nobody has touched since it was installed. The new ones are in good mechanical shape but get used hard, and their grease trays and fireboxes fill up quickly.
When an old built-in is worth replacing
We'd rather fix a grill than sell you one. Here's how we decide what to recommend.
- 1
Check the firebox
If the bottom of the firebox has rusted through, or the side walls are flaking, the grill is near the end no matter how good the burners are.
- 2
Look at the parts situation
Some older brands are long gone, or their parts are scarce. If we can't get burners, valves or a manifold, repair stops being realistic.
- 3
Weigh the repair list
A new igniter and a cleaning is easy. Burners, valves, heat plates and grates all at once on a tired grill often costs close to a new one.
- 4
Measure the cutout
If replacement makes sense, we measure the island opening and find grills that fit it, so the island doesn't have to be rebuilt.
If you're curious, our guide to replacing a built-in grill in the same cutout explains why a few inches matter, and how to measure a grill cutout shows how to take the numbers yourself. When you're ready, our grill sales and replacement service covers supplying the new grill, removing the old one and installing it.
Other work we do in Temple City
Deep cleaning for busy grills
Teardown, degrease and reassembly. Good for new outdoor kitchens that get cooked on several times a week.
Learn moreBurner and valve repair
Rusted burners swapped, sticky valves replaced, gas flow tested on every burner.
Learn moreStainless polishing
Brings back the finish on hoods and doors that have gone dull or streaky in the sun.
Learn morePropane to natural gas
If your new kitchen has a gas line but the grill was set up for propane, we can convert compatible models.
Learn moreWhere the water goes
Temple City yards are mostly small to medium, with a lot of hardscape. Hose a grill off on a paved patio and the greasy water ends up in the street. We don't do that. Our cleaners are biodegradable and non-toxic, the work area gets covered, and we collect what comes off the grill and haul it away.
Before and after
Grills our technicians have cleaned, repaired and replaced.
Temple City questions
Our new house came with an outdoor kitchen. How often should we have it cleaned?
If you cook outside more than once a week, twice a year is a good starting point. Lighter use can go once a year. See our guide on how often to clean a grill for more detail.
Can you replace just the grill without touching the island?
Usually, yes. We measure the cutout and recommend models that fit. Sometimes a small trim kit or minor adjustment is needed, and we'll tell you that up front.
Do you work on brick or masonry barbecues?
We service the gas components and grill inserts in masonry barbecues. Structural brick or tile repair is a job for a mason.
How much is a replacement?
It depends on the grill you choose, the size of the cutout and the installation. Call or text us with a photo and your cutout measurements and we'll put together options.
Repair it or replace it, we'll tell you straight
Send a couple of photos of the grill and the island, or call or text us.