Essential Tips on How to Transport a Grill Safely

Updated on May 6, 2025

Some of your belongings are harder to pack and move than others. One item that can pose some difficulty is a propane grill, a charcoal grill, or a smoker with various removable parts. This is not something that you can easily put in a box and stick in a mobile storage unit for transport, as there are several considerations you have to make, ensuring it is completely safe and won't cause damage to your stuff or the moving solution. We here at 1-800-PACK-RAT have some tips you can use to ensure your charcoal grill, gas grill, or smoker is packed and transferred safely and securely.

Take a look at some of our tips for properly preparing your grill for a move to your new home so you can christen your new home with some grilled deliciousness!

Move Your Grill While It Is Cool

This may sound obvious, but don't move your grill if you have just used it. Let it cool off completely before moving it anywhere to avoid injuries to yourself or damage to your belongings, moving solution, or portable storage container. This can also be applied to your grill if it has been sitting out in the sun all day as you make your move.

If your grill is hot to the touch from sitting in the sun, it is best to wait for it to cool off in the shade or cover it so the direct sunlight is off of it, and move it when it is easier and cooler to handle. Grills are made to retain heat, and you do not want that heat to diffuse inside your portable storage container. This can damage other belongings inside and cause a potential hazard with extreme heat. If needed, try moving it the night before, either into a garage or a shady spot around your home, so it is easy to handle and cool.

Remove Your Propane Tank or Charcoal Briquettes

We want to be clear here by saying that propane tanks and charcoal briquettes are not allowed to be stored or transported inside a 1-800-PACK-RAT portable storage container. This is also true of any traditional moving trucks if you decide to go down that route, and even more traditional storage areas have rules prohibiting the storage of such items in their storage lockers. Propane tanks can be hazardous if they are not stored properly, if they are damaged, or if they are leaking propane. Charcoal briquettes, on the other hand, are highly flammable and can cause a fire in the case of an accidental spark.

You must remove these items from your grills or belongings and ensure your charcoal grill is free of any charcoal or charcoal debris. You can either move these items personally or purchase a new tank and briquettes at your new home location.

Take Out Removable Parts, Clean, and Pack

Some shifting can and will occur when you move, no matter what moving solution you use. That is why it is recommended that you remove any loose accessories, grilling utensils, or grill parts from your grill prior to packing your stuff. This includes any accessories such as tongs, spatulas, or other items you might have stored on or in your grill. It can also include your grill plate(s), flavorizer bars, or anything similar. You don't need to disassemble your entire grill, but if it isn't firmly attached to the grill, remove and pack those items separately.

The next task to complete is cleaning your grill well prior to packing, including the inside of the cooking chamber, as there are two good reasons for this. One is that any food stuff or grease stuck to the grill might cause a smell or leak into or onto your stuff, especially if your moving solution gets warm in the sun. This can lead to an unpleasant odor in your moving solution that might affect your other belongings. Another reason is to avoid any dangerous combustion of burnt food bits if your moving solution gets hot.

It would also be nice not to have to do an intense clean on your grill when you get to your new home. Clean it now with warm, soapy water and dry it completely to save yourself some time later and make it easier and safer to move!

Strap Down the Lid or Other Moving Parts

While your grill top might not come off if it is a gas grill, or is technically a part of your grill if it is completely removable, it is a good idea to strap the lid down to avoid it clanging open or falling off while stored and in transport. Grab some bungee cords, zip or twist ties, or rope, and ensure your grill top won't come open during your moving or storage event. If your grill has a sear station with a lid that opens, try to secure the opening to keep the lid or the burner inside from getting damaged. Any moving part that might get damaged or cause a problem should be secured.

Use Moving Blankets to Wrap and Secure Your Grill

You don’t have to wrap your grill completely, but if you have a stainless steel or new grill and want to protect the exterior finish from scratches, you can use moving blankets to wrap around the grill. Just be sure to leave the handles and the wheels exposed so that it is still easy to move. Additionally, using packing tape to secure the moving blankets can help keep everything in place. And be sure the grill is completely cooled before wrapping it in anything to avoid damage or a fire.

Determine the Easiest Way to Move the Grill

Most barbecue grills have at least two wheels, which will make moving the grill from your patio to the mobile storage unit much easier. If you don’t have wheels on your barbecue grill, ask someone to help you carefully lift the grill by the handles or side panels. Take breaks as needed to ensure you and the person helping you avoid injury or damage to the grill.

If you have a charcoal grill, it should be easier to move by yourself or with another person, depending on how large it is.

Secure It in Your Portable Storage Container or Moving Solution

Once the prep is done, you have ensured all propane tanks or charcoal briquettes have been removed and the grill is ready, you are ready to move it into your portable storage container - keep in mind that a propane tank is considered a hazardous material, so plan accordingly for its transport in your personal vehicle. The type of grill you have will determine how you store it for the journey ahead. If you have a charcoal grill, chances are it won't be overly heavy, meaning you can place it almost anywhere it fits best in your container for storage and transport.

First thing to consider is that if you have a large gas grill or smoker, you must be very deliberate with where you place it. This is true for all moving solutions, but especially so if you use a 1-800-PACK-RAT portable storage container for your move, you will need to ensure all of your heavy belongings are spread evenly throughout. Your container's weight will be unevenly distributed if you store your heavy gas grill or smoker alongside heavy furniture or boxes in one spot in your container. This can cause your container to sway during pick-up and transit, causing damage to the contents inside. Be sure to space out your heavy items across the entire container, evenly distributing the weight.

If you need help envisioning how much space you will need in your container, be sure to use our handy space calculator tool. Additionally, if you are worried about the weight of your stuff hitting the limit of our containers, you can download our weight estimator worksheet to help avoid surprises.

Once placed, you can tie it down or pack items and boxes around it to keep it steady. If it has wheels, lock them in place when you are done.

How do I secure a grill while transporting it?

To secure a grill during transport, ensure it's cleaned and empty. Use straps or bungee cords to fasten it tightly in your vehicle, preventing movement. Additionally, padding should be placed around sharp edges to avoid damage, and the grill should always be transported upright for safety and stability.

What tools do I need to transport a grill?

To safely transport a grill, you'll need a few essential tools: a sturdy dolly or hand truck for easy maneuvering, ratchet straps or bungee cords to secure the grill, and gloves for protection during handling. These will ensure your grill is moved safely and without damage.

How can I protect my grill from damage during transportation?

To protect your grill during transportation, disassemble removable parts and wrap them separately in bubble wrap or blankets. Secure the grill with straps in a sturdy vehicle, ensuring it's upright. Cover it with a tarp to shield against dirt or rain, preventing any potential damage while moving or loading and unloading.

Use 1-800-PACK-RAT for Your Next Move

We hope these tips will be helpful to you as you prepare your grill for your move. Let us know here at 1-800-PACK-RAT if we can help you with your local or long-distance move. Our portable storage containers are perfect for any size move or temporary and long-term storage needs.

Here is how moving works with 1-800-PACK-RAT: Pick your preferred date, and we will deliver a portable storage unit to your home. You can then take as long as you need to pack at your own pace. When done, we will pick up your container and deliver it to your new home or store it at one of our local and secure nationwide facilities in the continental United States for as long as you need. No driving, no hassles, no stress. It is really that simple.

Call us or go online for a free quote to get started and see how we can make moving and storage simple for you today!