How to Dispose of a Grill: 5 Options for Safe Disposal

Whether your grill stops working or you upgrade and simply don't have space for both, you'll want to dispose of the old grill properly. Trash collectors likely won't pick up a grill as part of your regular service, and you'll want to avoid having it take up space in a landfill, if possible. In this guide, we’ll explain how to dispose of a grill properly using a few different methods.

Why Dispose of a Grill?

An old grill that's starting to have issues can pose a number of problems. Broken or worn-down parts can make grilling more difficult or even dangerous, especially if there’s an issue with the gas line or propane delivery system. Your grill could become a serious fire hazard if certain parts become damaged or excessively dirty.

You may be able to repair some of these issues, especially if your grill or its parts are still under warranty. However, replacement parts can be expensive and hard to find if your grill is an older or discontinued model. At some point, the cost of repair will exceed the cost of replacement. Look for the following signs that it's time to dispose of your grill and buy a new one.

Prepping to Dispose of a Grill

Depending on how you plan on getting rid of your grill, you might need to do some prep work to make the actual disposal a bit easier.

• Separate the propane tank. First and foremost, shut the supply valves to the propane tank and disconnect it. The tank is under pressure and combustible, so it’s considered hazardous waste. If you’re disposing of the propane tank, you’ll need to take it to a hazardous waste collection facility or have a local junk removal professional who disposes of old gas and other hazardous waste remove it for you.

• Dispose of charcoal separately. Charcoal is not recyclable, so you’ll simply dispose of used charcoal and can give away unused charcoal. Make sure to soak the charcoal thoroughly before trashing it to avoid garbage fires.

• Remove plastic components. If you’re recycling or scrapping the grill, remove any plastic components, like handles, wheels, and door pulls. These are likely not recyclable, so you can place them in your regular garbage.

• Separate metal by type. If you’re scrapping or recycling the grill, disassemble it and separate the metal components by type as best as possible. This will cut down on the time you spend at the scrap yard and make recycling at a recycling facility easier.

• Clean off grease. Finally, if you're recycling or scrapping the metal, use a degreaser to remove caked-on grease from the components.

• Check local regulations. Rules for disposing of hazardous waste (like propane tanks or even metal) can vary by location. Checking your local regulations will help you avoid fines for inappropriate disposal.

How to Dispose of a Grill 5 Ways

There are several potential ways to dispose of a grill, and understanding your options will help you choose the best one for your purposes.

1. Sell or Donate

If you're simply upgrading or downsizing and your old barbecue grill is still functional, consider finding a new owner. You can sell a gently used grill to interested buyers during your own yard sale or via an online marketplace.

If you can't find a buyer or don't have the time, consider giving your grill to a friend or family member. Some community donation centers or thrift stores will accept grills as long as they don't have a propane tank attached. They should also be in reasonably good condition with no rust or malfunctioning parts.

2. Hire a Junk Removal Service

Some companies offer full-service junk removal, meaning they'll send a team of professionals to your home to break down and haul away unwanted items quickly. Many of these companies offer electric and gas grill removal services, saving you the hassle of breaking down the grill alone.

Before hiring a junk hauler near you, ask questions and research the company thoroughly. Ideally, you'll want to hire a service that breaks down items for recycling rather than dumping them into a landfill.

This is the most expensive but also the most convenient option. You can save a bit of money on the trip charge by having your professionals haul away other debris while they’re on-site.

3. Arrange a Special Pickup With Your Local Waste Removal Service

Although a grill likely won't be taken during your regular trash pickup, some waste management services offer recurring or one-time bulk trash pickup. Call or check online to learn about your options.

If there is no scheduled pickup, you may have to schedule it yourself, in which case you might have to pay a fee. The cost depends on your municipality and whether your sanitation department is privatized. The main downside of this approach is that your grill will likely end up in a landfill.

4. Give Up Your Grill During a Bulk Item Disposal Event

Some communities host occasional bulk item pick-up or drop-off events. These events sometimes accept large items like grills, appliances, and furniture and often break them down for proper recycling to keep waste out of landfills. Check with your homeowners association or other local community centers to see if such events are available.

5. Scrap Your Grill

To avoid paying for a junk hauling or waste removal service, you can attempt to recycle an old grill yourself. You may even make some money by scrapping certain recyclable parts if you can transport the metal to a scrapyard.

To scrap a grill, start by disconnecting the fuel supply for safety and thoroughly cleaning it. Then, use a screwdriver to take it apart and sort each component by material, such as plastic, metal, and electrical components. If possible, separate the metal components by type, too. You can often bring the entire grill for easy disposal, but the scrapyard may offer less money for the metal if they have to disassemble and separate the materials themselves.

Metal pieces such as racks, lids, and external shells are the most likely to be accepted by a scrap dealer. They may even take small metal grills in their entirety. You can put out any plastic component with a recycling symbol for regular recycling pickup. You need to take batteries and electrical parts to an electronics recycling center. Throw away any remaining parts.

Tips for Dealing With Grill Disposal

Disposing of an old grill is often a pretty straightforward process, but there are some tips that can make the processes above even simpler and reduce the negative impact on the environment:

• Dispose of the propane tank yourself. Since a partially full propane tank is considered hazardous waste, you can often save money on the disposal by bringing it to a local hazardous waste disposal facility. You can save old aerosol cans, fire extinguishers, and paint cans until you have enough to make a single trip worthwhile.

• See if the manufacturer has a recycling program. Some grill manufacturers have special recycling programs available once their products reach the end of their lives. Check with yours before grill disposal to see if there’s a program available to you.

• If possible, upcycle the grill's components. If you’re crafty, you could repurpose some of the grill's components. For example, the grates could become small garden trellises, and the grill base and wheels could be perfect for converting into a small gardening cart.

• Explore online marketplaces. You might be able to sell your grill via online marketplaces, but if you don’t get any interest, you might be able to arrange a free pickup. List your item for free and local pickup only, and you’re likely to get some bites if it’s in good condition.

How Much Does Junk Removal Cost?

The average cost of junk removal is $240. However, you might find a junk removal company near you that will dispose of your grill (a single, bulky item) for $100 to $200. If you have other clutter to get rid of, it makes sense to pay the pros to remove everything at once rather than shelling out for multiple bulky uplifts.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro for Grill Disposal

Grill disposal is something most physically fit homeowners with space in their vehicles can tackle. You’ll just need to do some research on how and where to dispose of any attached hazardous propane gas tank. You might even only have to roll it out to the curb if your local governing body offers a free (or minimal charge) bulky uplift service. 

However, hiring a junk removal company to do the heavy lifting will save you from back injuries or muscle strain from moving the grill without enough helpers or the proper lifting techniques. Plus, you won’t have to worry about damaging your car or getting fined for inadvertent inappropriate disposal.