Independence Day without the usual “flare” or fare

Ready to fire up the grill this Fourth of July? Like the other 47 million gas-grill owners in this country, I'd really been looking forward to the day.

But I recently came face to face with an inconvenient statistic: Burners are the parts that fail most often on a grill, according to our Annual Product Reliability Survey of subscribers by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Simply put, own a gas grill long enough, and a burner will likely die on you.

My five-year-old Coleman grill started flaring up wildly a few weeks ago. Once it had melted two burner knobs, I realized what was happening—this problem was more than the work of spiders nesting in the burner tubes. The single burner that powers both sides of the grill had died. (Read more about safe grilling on the Consumer Reports On Safety blog.)

I ordered a new burner, but it won't arrive until long after the grand finale of the local fireworks display. So while I'll be celebrating our independence with the rest of you, I won't be slapping hot dogs, burger patties, and chicken-and-veggie kebabs onto the cooking grates. We'll have to make do with cold cuts . . . unless the neighbors invite us over.

The good news? Burner demise isn't reason alone to replace a grill. A new one costs only about $30, and with a few tools, I can do the job myself in time for a midmonth barbecue the weekend of the 14th.

Still, Bastille Day just doesn’t have the same ring to it as the Fourth.—Ed Perratore

Essential information: If you’re going to throw a holiday party, check out our easy-to-prepare recipes for the grill. When it comes time to shop for a new gas grill, read our latest report and refer to the Ratings (available to subscribers) of 30 models in a number of size and price points. You’ll also find expert care and cooking tips.