It was exactly 8 years ago this August that Erin bought me a charcoal grill for my 27th birthday. Since that time, our grill has been moved to four houses, withstood hurricanes, winter ice, and has been used to grill everything from pineapple to salmon -and everything in between. The grill has served us well. Except for the outside paint looking worn and dull, and the inside grate corroding, the grill is still in good shape.
Above: Me grilling at our Florida home a last summer – I prefer the taste of charcoal grilling as opposed to gas grilling.
So, I decided that I would simply replace the grate and try to keep it another 8 years. I called several local home stores to try to find a replacement. Here were my results:
Call #1: Wal-Mart -
The number I found online was to the Wal-Mart bakery (though listed as the main #) and the baker was unable to transfer me to Garden department. She gave me the number and I had to call again. Finally I was connected to the Garden Center where I was put on hold for about 7 minutes. During the wait, I could hear the beep of the scanner and the cashiers taking and answering customer questions. Finally the lady picked up the phone again to ask what my question was. I told her what I was looking for and was promptly put on hold again. She came back to the phone after a couple of minutes and reported that they did not have the grill grate replacement I needed.
Call #2: Ace Hardware -
I was immediately connected to a live person who promptly told me they did not have the replacement grate.
Call #3: Lowe’s -
after several moments of hitting the correct button for the correct department I needed, the man who answered the call was very helpful. He told me what they did have in stock, but it was not what I needed.
Call #4: Home Depot -
The phone was answered shortly after I dialed, but I was quickly transfered to the garden department. While on hold, I was treated to the Home Depot Jingle over and over and over. After about 12 minutes, I finally hung up – assuming my call would never be answered.
My last option was to go online. I quickly found exactly what I needed online, and had numerous options of where to purchase the replacement. Within about 5 minutes of online shopping, I placed my order and will hopefully be receiving the new grate at my front door in a few days. By the way, I ordered the grate from Charcoal Grill Depot.com
As soon as it arrives – we shall grill!
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Amen to charcoal-grilling, Clay. And Florida haha. I really can’t wait to get back to my grill by our pool.
Wow, quite the tale, I can proudly say I have enjoyed a burger and a hot dog cooked on that grill, it was just last May. May you enjoy many a good burger on your new grate
Man, we are so much alike. I had a charcoal grill just like that from our first year of marriage. I finally dumped it last year though because of the grate wearing out. I was not as tenacious as you to track down the grate I needed.
I replaced it, though, with an even cheaper grill from walmart ($25). It’s not as nice as my original, which cost closer to $40-50. I find it fun to try and cook on as cheap a grill as possible. Charcoal rules!!!