From the hillside streets in the north part of the city, where homes look out over the valley, to the flatter neighborhoods south of Whittier Boulevard, Montebello has plenty of backyards with a grill built into a brick, block or tile island. A lot of these went in twenty or thirty years ago. The island is fine. The grill inside it has stopped heating evenly, the hood is stained, and one or two burners haven't worked in a while.
That's where restoration comes in. It sits between a regular cleaning and buying a new grill.
How a restoration goes
- 1
Assessment
We take the grill apart and look at everything: firebox, burners, valves, manifold, igniters, hood, hinges and grates. You get a straight account of what's worth saving.
- 2
Deep degrease
Years of buildup come off the firebox, hood interior, heat plates and grates using biodegradable cleaners and steam.
- 3
Parts replacement
Rusted burners, cracked heat plates, worn grates and failed igniters are swapped for matching or compatible parts.
- 4
Stainless refinishing
Exterior stainless is cleaned and polished with the grain to remove staining and dullness. Deep scratches and pitting can be reduced but not erased.
- 5
Testing
Every burner lit and checked for even flame. Gas connections leak-tested. Ignition tested on each knob.
Restore or replace?
A quick comparison of what we look at.
| Condition | Restore | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Firebox solid, burners rusted | Yes | Not needed |
| Hood stained, no pitting | Yes, polish | Not needed |
| Firebox rusted through | No | Usually |
| Parts no longer made | Sometimes, with universal parts | Often |
| Valves leaking or seized | Yes, if valves available | If not |
If replacement wins, we can supply and install a new grill sized to the existing cutout. See repair or replace your grill? and finding parts for discontinued grills for the longer version.
Summer sun on stainless
Montebello summers are hot and the afternoon sun is strong. Stainless steel hoods and doors that face west take on a bronze or straw tint over time where grease has baked on. That's heat discoloration, and it's mostly cosmetic. A careful polish takes much of it out. Rubber and plastic parts suffer more: knobs crack, temperature gauge lenses cloud over, and the grease on the cart dries into a hard varnish.
We cover the care side of this in stainless steel grill care, and our stainless polishing service can be added to any visit.
Restorations and cleanings
Before and after photos from our technicians.
Montebello questions
How long does a restoration take?
Most are done in one visit. If we need to order parts that aren't on the truck, we'll finish the cleaning and come back to install them.
Can you restore a freestanding grill too?
Yes, as long as the firebox and frame are sound. On budget freestanding grills, a new grill is sometimes the better value, and we'll say so.
What will a restoration cost?
It depends on the grill's size, brand, condition and how many parts it needs. Call or text, or send a couple of photos, and we'll give you an estimate.
Montebello's neighbors
Give that old built-in another run
Call or text us, or send a few photos and we'll tell you what's possible.