Who restoration is for
Plenty of homes in LA have a built-in grill that came with the house. It might be 15 or 20 years old, it hasn't lit properly since the previous owners moved out, and the hood has a brown film that won't come off. The temptation is to assume it's done. Usually it isn't.
Premium grills from brands like Lynx, Viking, DCS and Fire Magic are built around heavy stainless housings. The parts that fail (burners, heat plates, igniters, grates, valves) are the parts designed to be replaced. If the body and firebox are sound, restoration costs far less than a new grill and keeps your island exactly as it is.
Restoration also makes sense for a grill you inherited in a home purchase, a rental you're getting ready for tenants, or a grill that sat through a winter of rain uncovered with a nest of mice in it.
What a restoration typically includes
Every grill is different, so we put together a parts list after we see it. Most restorations include some combination of these.
- Complete teardown and deep cleaning of the firebox, hood and every component
- New burners where the old ones are rusted, split or warped
- New heat plates, flavorizer bars or briquette trays
- New cooking grates if the old ones are flaking, cracked or warped
- Ignition rebuilt: electrodes, wires, igniter module or battery box
- Valves tested, and replaced if they leak or stick
- Regulator and hose replaced on propane grills
- Knobs, bezels, handles and hood hinges or springs replaced as needed
- Exterior stainless cleaned, rust stains removed and the finish polished with the grain
- Rotisserie, lights and sear or infrared burners brought back if the grill has them
- Full leak test and test fire
How a restoration works
- 1
Assessment
We come out (or start from good photos), take the grill apart enough to judge the firebox and body, and record the model and serial number.
- 2
Parts list and quote
You get an itemized list of what needs replacing and what's still good, with a clear quote. We separate what's necessary from what's nice to have.
- 3
Parts ordering
We order manufacturer parts where they exist. For discontinued models we source the closest quality match and tell you which parts are universal.
- 4
The restoration visit
Teardown, deep cleaning, new parts installed, stainless restored. Most restorations are done in one longer visit once parts are in hand.
- 5
Test and walkthrough
Every burner, the igniters and any accessories are tested. We leak test the gas connections and show you how to keep it in shape.
When restoration isn't the right call
We'll tell you if the grill isn't worth restoring. The deal-breakers are usually one of these:
- The firebox or body has rusted through, which happens with lower-grade stainless or grills that sat for years with grease and water in the bottom
- Cracked or badly warped housing from a grease fire
- A discontinued model where key parts like the valve manifold can no longer be found
- A repair list that approaches the cost of a comparable new grill
In those cases, replacement into the same cutout is often the better use of your money. Our guide to repairing vs. replacing lays out how we think about it.
What restoration can't undo
Polishing removes staining and light surface rust. It can't fill deep pitting, and it can't make warped stainless flat again. Pitted areas usually end up much cleaner and less noticeable, but they won't look factory new. We'll be honest about how close we can get before you commit. Island repairs (cracked tile, stucco, countertops) are outside what we do, though we can recommend people.
Restorations
Grills our techs have brought back from years of neglect.
Restoration questions
How do I know if my grill is worth restoring?
Send us photos of the outside, the inside with the grates off, and the model tag. We can usually tell from that whether the body is sound and whether parts are still available.
Can you get parts for an old or discontinued grill?
Often, yes. Many premium brands keep parts available for a long time, and our techs share parts access with Pro Grill. For truly discontinued models, quality universal burners and grates fit a lot of grills.
Will my grill look new?
It will look far better. Staining and light rust come off. Deep pitting gets cleaner but not invisible, and we'll tell you up front what to expect.
How long does a restoration take?
The work itself is usually one longer visit. The wait is mostly for parts, which can be a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the brand.
Do I have to remove the grill from the island?
Almost never. Restoration happens in place. Occasionally a valve manifold replacement requires sliding the grill out, and we handle that carefully.
What does restoration cost?
It depends entirely on what needs replacing, which depends on the brand, size and condition. We give you an itemized quote after the assessment, so there's no guessing.
Related repairs and guides
Repair or Replace Your Grill?
A practical way to decide whether your grill needs a few parts or a replacement, based on what techs actually check first.
Buying adviceHow Long Do Grills Last?
Realistic lifespans for each kind of grill, which parts wear out first, and what actually makes a grill last longer.
Care & how-toSalt Air and Your Grill: Coastal Care
What salt air does to grills near the Los Angeles coast, which parts go first, and a realistic routine that adds years to a coastal grill.
Care & how-toStainless Steel Grill Care
How to keep stainless steel grills and outdoor kitchens looking right: everyday wiping, removing tea staining and rust spots, dealing with hard water, and what to never use.
Care & how-toFinding Parts for Discontinued Grills
A step-by-step approach to tracking down parts for older and discontinued grills, and how to know when a grill can't reasonably be kept running.
Buying adviceBuying a Used Grill: Checklist
A practical inspection checklist for buying a used grill, or a house with a built-in, so you know what you're getting before you commit.
RepairRust & Corrosion Repair
Surface staining, pitting and rusted-out parts treated or replaced, with an honest call on what can be saved.
RepairBurner Replacement
Rusted, cracked or split burners replaced with matched parts, set on their orifices and tested for clean, even flame.
RepairHeat Plate & Flavorizer Replacement
Rusted, warped and burned-through heat plates, flavorizer bars and briquette trays replaced with matched parts.
RepairCooking Grate Replacement
Rusted, warped or chipped cooking grates cleaned or replaced with the right material and fit for your grill.
RepairIgniter Replacement
Electrodes and igniter wires cleaned, regapped or replaced so every burner lights from the button again.
RepairKnob & Bezel Replacement
Cracked, melted, faded or spinning control knobs and bezels replaced, with the valve stems underneath checked.
RepairHood, Hinge & Handle Repair
Heavy hoods that slam, won't stay open or sit crooked, plus loose or broken handles, repaired on site.
See if your grill can be saved
Send a couple of photos of the grill and its model tag. We'll tell you honestly whether restoration makes sense.