BBQ Grill lid support

[Socalx09]

Looking for advice on what to buy for a gas grill. Since moving out of my place back to my dad's full time to take care of my grandma, I noticed this is on my dads home list that he never gets done since he is busy fixing things at work.

It's basically an El Pollo Loco grill with a lid. My dad fixes and maintains about 35 of their stores. It was made by their stainless steel guy for him. The problem is after 7 years, my dad still hasn't got a lid support and "its always I'll do it next week." But, he never has time for his own house. So, since I spend all day there and my grandma takes lots of naps, I thought I would install one on it for his birthday next month. i'm pretty handy after watching my dad all these years so I think I can do it.

I was thinking gas struts, but not sure if it'll handle the temperature? The lid is very heavy and it goes all the way back to the point where you need to stand on a stool to grab it back. My dad uses a fireplace poker to grab the handle back down. Would like it to not fully go all the way back.

Pics below. Just finished grilled so it isn't cleaned up yet. Thanks!

 

[RiverDave]

First you need to make some stops that it can go back and rest on so it doesn’t go that far back.

I’m not sure what you would do to make it lighter or smoother.. i would be doing some googling

 

[boat527]

Your shock idea might work but Stainless is a PITA to drill.. Mounting them in the back would keep them away from the heat..Sorry about the size of the pic...

 

[SoCalDave]

A couple of simple fixes would be to add a stop to the back of the lid that would rest on the concrete wall that is directly behind the lid. Just a bracket bolted to the backside of the lid with a rubber stop to absorb the opening stroke.

Or better yet a couple of SS angle brackets bolted to the outside back corners with a rubber stop or something that would take the heat to absorb the opening stroke.

 

[mobldj]

2 self drilling screws and length of choice of small chain.real small.thats what i did

 

[Socalx09]

Thank you for all your opinions and advice. Def going to add stops to the back. I called grainger and they are going to order high heat brackets for the back to stop it from going all the way back. They also have high heat damper gas shocks. They were pricey, but seems like what is needed. Easy close and open will be ideal since it’s so heavy. I just have to measure the max ideal opening tomorrow to know which size to order.

The chain method sounds great and so much cheaper, if the lid wasn’t so massive and heavy, I would have went that way.

Will update when finished. Hopefully I won’t need to weld the eye socket brackets for the gas shocks. I can’t weld haha.

 

[Carlson-jet]

Come up with some kind of heat shield for the gas shocks.

I would give anything to have this problem. Enjoy your dad while you have him.