How to Move a Grill: 9 Tips to Protect and Relocate Your Barbecue
Don’t get fired up when moving a grill
Moving can be stressful—especially if you have large or dangerous items to move. A grill falls into both categories; many are big and bulky, and gas grills can be fire hazards if not handled correctly during transportation. Here, we’ll explain how to move a grill safely by taking several crucial precautions.
1. Wait Until It’s Cool
Before you move the grill, make sure it’s cool. A grill can take longer to cool down after use than you might expect. So, if you grilled dinner the night before your move, check that the grill isn’t still hot to prevent injury.
2. Clean It Out
Whether you use your grill frequently or occasionally, it can get grimy and greasy. Before moving your grill, clean it thoroughly. Failure to do so can cause the grease to leak out during transportation and spread to your other belongings.
To clean a grill, turn it to its highest temperature for about 15 minutes to loosen any stuck food items and grease. Then, don a pair of rubber gloves and grab a grill brush and a bucket of warm, soapy water, scrubbing the grates while they’re still hot. This should remove the bulk of the grease and leftover food from the grill. If there’s any gunk left after the initial cleaning, scrub them again with a grill brush and use a paste made from salt and white vinegar to loosen any stubborn areas of baked-on food.
Once the grates are clean, season them by rubbing them with vegetable oil and turning the grill on high for about 15 minutes. This process will also loosen any remaining dirt from the grates. Wipe down the elements, lid, and outside of the grill and dry it with paper towels or a microfiber cloth.
Make sure you wait for the grill to cool off fully after cleaning before moving it.
3. Remove the Fuel
Whether your grill runs on gas or charcoal, you must remove the fuel before transporting it. For propane or natural gas grills, this means disconnecting the tank from the grill. Before doing so, check that the gas supply is turned off. For charcoal grills, remove any remaining pieces of fuel left in the grill during the cleaning process.
4. Take Out Removable Parts
Grills come with several removable parts. If you leave them inside the grill during the move, they can move around and sustain damage. Before moving the grill, remove the following elements:
Grill grates
Warming racks
Utensils
Shelves
Attachments
Once you’ve removed these parts from the grill, wrap them in packing paper or bubble wrap and put them in a box. Label the box so you know where to find items when you arrive at your destination.
5. Secure the Lid
Some grills have removable lids, but others are not detectable. If yours can’t come off before the move, secure it with packing tape to prevent it from rattling around. Similarly, if your grill has drawers that aren’t detachable, tape them shut as well to prevent them from moving around while they’re being transported.
6. Use Moving Blankets
Wrapping the grill in moving blankets can help protect it from damage during your move. Secure the blanket with packing tape to keep it in place for the entire move. If you skip this step, you may find that your grill arrives at its destination with new dings and dents on its exterior.
7. Enlist Help
Depending on the size, a grill can be incredibly heavy and difficult to move. Some grills have built-in wheels, which makes them easier to move, but if yours doesn’t, you’ll need some muscle to help you lift it into the moving vehicle.
8. Secure It in the Moving Vehicle
Once the grill is inside the moving vehicle, ensure it’s secure and won’t move around during transportation. If you’re moving multiple pieces of furniture, pack them in carefully to prevent other items from moving. If not, using bungee cords can keep your grill secure during the move.
9. Hire a Pro
Several types of pros can help you move your grill. Local moving companies will pack up, transport, and unload your stuff in your new home. These pros have the experience and equipment to move bulky and heavy items like grills easily, so you don’t need to worry about damaging your grill or injuring yourself.
If you’re looking to move an old grill out of your home to make way for a new one, look for an appliance removal pro near you. This type of pro can also dispose of any leftover propane or charcoal, which are both hazardous materials that most moving companies won’t move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving a grill by yourself is possible, as long as you’re careful. If your grill has wheels, you can simply wheel it to your desired location—or to a moving vehicle if you’re transporting it to a new location. Before moving a grill, make sure it’s cool and clean. And, if you need help moving heavy furniture items, a pro can help.
Yes, you can lay a gas grill flat during transportation. Laying it flat can help prevent it from moving around the truck during the journey. It’s still advisable to secure the grill with bungee cords, just in case.
Yes, movers will usually move one item like a gas grill—but your propane tank must be empty if you want them to move it. If you still have propane, you’ll need to either transport it yourself or dispose of it properly and purchase a new one after the move.
