You can ditch an old grill while protecting the environment and even earning extra cash
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.
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.
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 getting rid of it, 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.
There are several potential ways to dispose of a grill, and understanding your options will help you choose the best one for your purposes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Disposing of a grill is something most homeowners should be able to tackle themselves, provided you can at least carry or roll it to the curb. Just make sure to arrange for special pick up or to have a bulk item recycling company come to get it.
If you’re unable to move your grill yourself, hiring a professional is your best option. They will have pros that will have no issue moving the grill up or down stairs and around your home. If you choose your hauling service carefully, you can still ensure the components are recycled.
If you hire a professional junk hauling service to take your grill, expect to pay at least $80. The average cost of junk removal is about $240, but costs will depend on your location and the trip expense that your professional charges. Prices could go up from there if you have additional junk to haul, which will usually make hiring a pro more worthwhile. Be sure to get quotes from a few companies to ensure you’re getting the best price for the service you want.
Nick P. Cellucci contributed to this piece.
You can’t typically leave your grill on the curb for your regular trash pickup. Most waste removal services will require that you schedule a special bulk pickup or dispose of your grill another way due to its large size and weight. Otherwise, you may receive a fine for leaving your grill out. Scheduling a bulky item pickup helps waste management workers prepare properly for a larger item like a grill.
You can only take your grill to the dump in some circumstances. Some landfills won’t accept grills due to their size, electronic parts, fire risk, or other reasons. Those that do may charge a fee. Call ahead for information to find out if your local dump will accept your old grill. They may instruct you to take your grill to a specific bulk drop-off location or event in your community instead.
Most grills will last for between five and 15 years, depending on the quality, how often you use them, how well you clean them in between uses, and the weather they sit through. You can extend the life of your grill by keeping it covered when not in use and regularly degreasing the internal components.
