INSIDE & OUT : No Need to Fire Up the Lava Rocks; Porcelain Briquettes Burn Better in Barbecue

Q. I was recently given a used propane barbecue that’s in fairly good condition, except that the lava rocks underneath are full of grease and are all over the place. Should they be stacked in some way to make the barbecue work right, and how do I clean them?

N.D. Tustin

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A. You really don’t need to use lava rocks, says Tom Olsen of Yorba Linda Patio & Hearth. They tend to collect grease and cause a lot of flare-ups, which can ruin the food you’re trying to cook. Their main purpose is to create a barrier between the food and the flame.

A better solution is to spend a little more and get porcelain briquettes. They won’t break apart over time, and they get extremely hot and burn grease very quickly, which keeps them a little cleaner and allows some of the smoke flavor to rise back into the meat. With either type of rocks, you should just set one layer above the flame.

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Q. One corner of our concrete patio has broken off into three big chunks. Is there a way to “glue” them back into place without having to mix up some new cement?

W.E.

Placentia

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A. You can try one of two things, says Pete Gorman of Rancho Lumber in Westminster. A concrete adhesive can be applied to the broken pieces and they can be set in place, or an exterior caulk can be used. The adhesive is best used with a sand and plastic cement combination, but if the area you’re patching is under two inches, it may be too shallow and you’re not likely to get a good bond.

The caulk has a good feel and makes it easy to set broken pieces together, but remember that it has some body to it, so you may find it changes the contour of the concrete, making one area higher than the other. Also, be sure to have a heavy object ready to place on the patched area until it’s dry.

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Q. I’ve been told that glass and mirror shops will buy used mirrors but haven’t been able to find any that do. Where are they?

G.H.

La Palma

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A. If you’re interested in selling an old mirror, you may want to place a classified ad, says Tammy Griffith of B & D Glass in Orange. Your mirror may look like it’s in perfect shape to you, but over time, after thousands of cleanings and scratches, it loses some of its sparkle and it doesn’t look as sharp as a new mirror. Many glass shops will pick up large pieces of glass or mirror and dispose of them for you as a courtesy.

You could also call some local charities to see if they would have any interest in them.

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Q. We just bought a house that’s half a mile from the beach, and we’re looking at patio furniture. The set we want is wrought-iron, but is that wise, considering the salt air?

S.S.

Laguna Beach

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A. If it’s a good quality, baked-on finish, you shouldn’t have a problem, says Gary Lillge of Crown Hardware in Corona del Mar. If the set you’re looking at has a flat finish, you may want to spray it with a clean lacquer (the same kind used for brass fixtures near the beach) to help protect it. Keep it clean, of course, and examine it periodically for any signs of rust so that it can be taken care of before any significant damage sets in.

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Q. My kitchen cabinets were painted two years ago with a latex semi-gloss. I’d like to paint over some of the doors that have become nicked and marred. But will that make the rest of the cabinets look bad?

S.O.

Laguna Hills

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A. The key to doing a good job will be in preparation, says Barbara Brobst of Hal’s Paint & Decorating in Fullerton. Kitchen cabinets are always tough because of the amount of traffic and smoke, which will discolor lighter shades. With a good household cleaner, wash all of the cabinets and try to remove any grease buildup. Use a soft sponge and try not to scrape the finish. When you’re doing the doors that will be painted, you can clean a little more vigorously, then let them dry completely before painting.