How to Move a Grill

Learning how to transport a grill isn’t as difficult as you might think, despite the bulky weight and size. But there are some specific steps to make sure your grill arrives safely — and you don’t miss grilling season. For example, can you transport a propane tank on its side? (Spoiler alert: not unless it’s empty!)

Before understanding how to transport a grill, you need to know how to prepare it and its accompanying gear for a safe relocation. We’ve put together some helpful steps and pro-tips to help you move your grill, prevent damage, and avoid injuries.

How to move a grill in four simple steps:

• Decide how you’ll transport your grill.
• Clean and disassemble the grill.
• Pack utensils and all small parts.
• Wrap the grill.

Step 1: Decide how you’ll transport your grill

Some grills will fit in just about any vehicle, but for others, you may need to plan ahead for transportation. The bed of a pickup truck is a tried and true option if you have one available. Some bigger grills may even fit in an SUV, but you may have a potential mess on your hands with an especially greasy grill. If your car has a hitch, you can also rent a utility trailer. As a last resort, you may need to rent a van or truck for your move. 

Step 2: Clean and disassemble the grill

Because grills are messy, it’s a good idea to clean them before moving. This helps you prevent any debris from spilling out and ensure that no pests are hitching a ride. Remove all ash, coal, food grease, and wood pellets. Remove the grill’s propane tank and set it aside until you’re ready to empty it. Give the entire grill a thorough scrub to prevent food particles or grease from getting onto other items in the moving truck.

What you’ll need for this step:

• Fireplace shovel
• Grill degreased
• Grill brush
• Scrub sponges

Step 3: Pack utensils and all small parts

Remove all of the grill’s racks, utensils, and other parts. Pack them separately to help lighten the grill’s weight when moving. Removing these loose parts also prevents them from rattling around and causing scratches.

What you’ll need for this step:

• Bubble wrap
• Moving boxes
• Packing tape

Step 4: Wrap the grill

Knowing how to transport a grill means wrapping it properly. The easiest way to wrap is with a moving blanket. After wrapping the grill, secure the moving blanket to the grill using straps or rope. If the grill has wheels, lay it down flat on the moving truck’s floor or bed, so it isn’t rolling around and causing damage during transport.

What you’ll need for this step:

• Moving blanket
• Rope
• Straps

Grill moving pro tips:

Pro-tip #1: You cannot transport flammable items like a propane tank in a moving truck, so make sure to empty your grill’s propane tank properly

A critical part of learning how to transport a grill is safety. Safely and adequately emptying a propane tank involves positioning the tank, so the valves are pointing sideways. Then, open up the valve until the knob can’t turn anymore. Stand back until you can no longer hear or see propane coming out of the tank. Once the tank is empty, close its valve.

Pro-tip #2: Allow your grill to cool before you attempt to move it

Make sure you haven’t used the grill on the day of the move. It’s dangerous to move a grill when it’s still hot. Be sure to leave your grill unused for at least one to two days to ensure it’s completely cool. Even though many grills have heat-resistant handles, the base, elements, and lid are still too hot to move.

Pro-tip #3: Put the grill on the moving truck last

Although grills with wheels are easy to transport, they still have some weight. For example, you might have a grill with two wheels on one side and stabilizing legs on the other. Picking up the grill and lifting it onto the truck is more comfortable when it’s one of the last things going on.

Pro-tip #4: Lock the wheels and strap the grill down

If your grill has wheel locks, make sure you engage them after putting the grill on the truck if you’re uncomfortable with laying it flat. Then, using utility straps, tie the grill down to the bed or side of the truck. Even though you’re using rope or utility straps to keep the blanket on the grill, that won’t prevent it from moving around.

The bottom line

Before moving day rolls around, you must first learn how to transport a grill. By taking these steps, you’re preventing damage to the grill and ensuring a safe move. Gather your packing materials in advance and make sure the grill is clean and cool. Remember that it is never safe to move a propane tank unless it’s empty.