If you are a backyard chef showing off your cooking skills on the BBQ, it is likely that at some point in time you will need to replace one of your Weber propane grill parts. If you assembled your grill when you bought it you probably have a working knowledge of the standard parts for your model. But, if it has been several years since you put it together, or you had someone else do that work for you, then chances are you need to educate yourself a bit before buying new parts.

The purpose of this article is to give you a basic understanding of some of the key components of your grill. Parts for your unit usually fall into one of the following groups: the original parts that came with the grill, replacements for any of those parts, features that are add-ons, and accessories.

The most basic parts needed to be able to cook are the cooking box, the burners, the lid and the control knobs. The cooking box forms the structure of the barbecue, into which the other parts are either attached or inserted. Most grills come with multiple burners, through which the gas flows to heat the unit. Separate burners allow greater temperature control while cooking. The flow of gas to the burners is adjusted using the control knobs, usually one for each burner. The lid, often made of heavy gauge porcelain on steel, closes to seal in the heat for more efficient cooking.

Dynamic Cooking Systems (DCS) started out right, but attracting some of the best engineers and designers of appliances in the country. Back in 1989 when this all started, they weren’t making outdoor grills. They were making things like high performance ranges and cooking appliances for the commercial food services industry. Their line of products quickly became the envy of most commercial establishments.

Once they began making outdoor barbecues, the complemented the line by offering outdoor gas heaters as well…making year round cooking in northern climates more bearable. DCS was eventually purchased by Fisher & Paykel in 2004 because of their innovations and this added worldwide manufacturing capabilities. Fisher & Paykel products are made in over 40 different countries and they have about 2000 retail outlets. Service is available through more than 1000 outlets.

DCS grills are all made with heavy 304-gauge stainless steel, making the line one of the finest crafted in the industry. Also, with stainless steel, you have no worries of rust, and these puppies can last in any type of weather for year round grilling.

Thermal Engineering Corporation (TEC) has been in business over 40 years working in the field of infrared radiant energy. Back in 1961, they came up with a ceramic infrared burner that was highly efficient. This innovation has made them the defacto infrared experts worldwide.

TEC has numerout patents evolving from their continuing efforts to be innovative. They have a number of firsts to their name. Here are a few: first concealed fuel tanks for a gas grill, first infrared grill, first infrared portable grill and the first electric all metal flare-up resistant infrared cooking system.

Radiant energy is the key output of infrared technology. Radiant energy does not transfer through any medium. What it does is excite molecules inside your food which produces heat. This lets you heat food up more quickly, evenly and far more efficiently. It’s kind of like rubbing your hands together and then heat you generate from the friction.

Outdoor cooking is something many people look forward to each summer. But there are always obstacles to a good time with friends and family. For example, you can’t control bad weather but you do have control over the grill you buy; you want one that works. Don’t feel bad if the weather turns on you, just make sure you don’t buy a grill that stops working in the middle of an important occasion.

Having your grill break down is never fun. But if it happens right before your cookout, it’s even worse. The embarrassment is one thing, but the cost to change your venue, or cancel, could be even worse. To prevent this from happening, you need to make sure you purchase the right grill, and that requires research. This might seem like a daunting task, but it will pay off in the end.

Sifting through the various grill manufacturers and their different lines and styles can be a daunting task. You need to find the one that is best for your outdoor cooking needs. Many devoted grillers choose one of the Brinkmann grill styles.

Open brazier grilling can be frustrating when mother nature doesn’t cooperate. George Stephen Sr. found this to be true and was instrumental in Weber grills leading the outdoor grilling revolution just after World War II.

Solving this problem became a mission for home and the rest is history….

His first solution was quite easily accomplished due to the fact that he was employed by Weber Brothers Metal Works, which was a metal fabricating company. He made a round hood by cutting a buoy into halves that was made of metal, and viola he actually invented his first version of the kettle grill.

After that was done, all it took was some marketing for this different type of grill,which quickly became popular. It was so popular that the company’s name became the Weber-Stephens Products Company. Then in just a matter of years, George Stephens bought the company to become the only owner.