You bought a barbecue, assembled it or paid someone to do that for you, and now you enjoy the experience of grilling for your friends and family. If you keep your grill long enough, it is likely that you will have a need for Weber propane grill parts in order to keep it functioning properly. It pays to know some of the basics of your grill before you buy any parts.

The purpose of this article is to give you a basic understanding of some of the key components of your grill. Parts for your unit usually fall into one of the following groups the original parts that came with the grill, replacements for any of those parts, features that are add-ons, and accessories.

The base of the grill, also known as the cooking box, can be thought of as the foundation. To it you add on until you have a working product. The lid, normally made of heavy duty porcelain on steel, attaches to the cooking box to complete the basic shell of your grill. But without burners and the knobs to control them, you have an empty shell. Multiple burners are a common feature on most grills today. Each burner has its own control knob, allowing you to have very accurate control of the heat source and temperature while cooking.

Above the burners are the cooking grates, which are sometimes called cooking grids. The cooking grates form the surface upon which you place the items to be cooked. They might be made of stainless steel, porcelain enameled steel, or cast iron. If your cooking grates are made of cast iron, you will need to season them according to the manufacturer's instructions prior to the first use. A key part of the cooking process is performed by the flavorizer bars, which are designed to catch some of the drippings in order to "smoke" enough to enhance the flavor of what you are cooking. The excess drippings and grease will accumulate in the drip pan below the cooking box.

Over time, and with lots of use, it is likely that you will need to replace a part or two on your grill. Almost every part is replaceable, except for the lid and the cooking box. From the smallest hose or nozzle to the burners, cooking grates, and even the control knobs, you can find replacement parts from many sellers, as long as you know the model number of your grill.

Beyond the standard features that come with your grill, there are optional features available that might be of interest. One that is commonly selected is the rotisserie, which comes in several variations. You might like the standard spit for roasting large items of meat. Or, if you prefer, there is a basket option that allows placement of small items for cooking, or the prongs that insert on two ends of an item to be cooked; possibly a whole chicken. No matter which rotisserie option you select, you must have a motor to allow it so spin over the burners while cooking.

There are many types of accessories available. Some make cooking easier, like baskets for small items like vegetables, or cooking plates for delicate items like fish, or cooking utensils made specifically for cooking on the grill, with long handles and larger surfaces. There are also accessories for cleaning and protecting your grill. This includes a variety of brushes and scrubbers to keep the cooking grates clean, as well as heavy duty covers to protect your grill when it is not being used.

As you can see, there are many Weber propane grill parts available for your barbecuing enjoyment. Some are essential to make your grill work at all, some make it work better, others help you maintain your grill, and some give you more options to aid in showing off your cooking talent.