None wrote:
Mine only last 2 year at best. What about putting a think steel or
aluminium plate on top of the burner to protect from the drippings. It
would be a hair smaller shape then the burner, in order not to block the
flame. Any ideas? Thanks

Weber has em, they are called flavorizer bars.

Problem is, the flavorizer bars burn up instead of the burner. But,
mine lasted 5 years, and I grill quite a bit. I'm about to buy some new
bars.... havn't checked yet, but I'm pretty sure they are a lot cheaper
then a new burner or grill.