Your grill is a valuable piece of backyard equipment. Not only does it make summer cookouts more enjoyable but depending on which unit you have it can also come in handy for tailgating and other outdoor events. It's important to take good care of your grill so that it runs safely and efficiently and lasts for years to come.
Read on for 5 maintenance tips to help you keep your grill in top shape.
1. Clean Regularly
Just like any other appliance in your home, your grill will work best when it is kept clean. Your food will taste better, and removing built-up grease or food particles is important to reduce potential hygiene concerns or leftovers catching fire.
It's best to give your grill a quick clean after each use, however, if that's not practical for you, after a few times used, as this will help to prevent grease and food building up.
With each change of season, we recommend a more comprehensive clean covering the following components.
Grill grates: Remove the grates and use a brush and scrub them with warm soapy water.
Heat tents: These are located under the grates and deflect heat away from the control knobs and also protect the burners. Over time, they can become coated with grease and debris. To clean them, remove the grates and scrub the heat tents with soapy water. Don't go too hard on them or you might damage them, and be sure to rinse them well before putting everything back together.
Burners: The jets can get become clogged over time and they can get a build-up of grime on them, particularly at the ends, so it's important to clean them once in a while. If you don't want to take them out to clean them, turn your grill on while the grates are out, and look for any signs of blockages in the burner jets (the small holes). If any jets on the burners are blocked, then wait until your grill burners have cooled down and use a toothpick or other small tool to clear any debris. If your burners are dirty then you can give them a light once over with a wire brush, but again, don't go too hard or you may damage them.
Drip pan: You should empty out the drip pan and give it a good clean every few uses, but at the very least a couple of times each season if you use your grill throughout the year.
Inside the grill body: Use a putty knife, grill scraper, or wire brush to remove any residue from the inside of the grill. You can use degreasers too if you have a good build-up of grime that you'd like to remove, but depending on how frequently you use your grill and how much effort you put into cleaning the inside body it may not look new again, and that really doesn't matter.
Outside of grill body: simply hose it down, and if you feel like it needs a little more, then you can use soapy water with a sponge or cloth, or a bought stainless-steel grill cleaner. We suggest giving your grill a quick rub down to dry it afterward.
2. Oil the Grates
It's best to oil the grates after each use to help prevent food from sticking and it assists with making clean-up a breeze.
You can use any cooking oil, although for best results we recommend a good vegetable oil as they have high burn points. Apply it liberally with a brush, cloth, or paper towel.
3. Check for Worn Parts
It's important to inspect your grill regularly for any signs of wear and tear, particularly as it gets older.
- If you see any rust or damage, be sure to address it right away to prevent further deterioration.
- Check the gas lines for leaks and cracks and make sure the connections are tight. If you find any damage, replace the lines before using your grill.
- Inspect all of the screws and bolts on your grill, and tighten or replace any that are loose.
4. Check your Propane Bottle for Leaks
Don't forget to check the propane tank for leaks. There are a few ways to do this.
One way is to use a propane detector, and another way is to use a soapy water solution.
To check for leaks with a soapy water solution, pour some soap suds into a spray bottle and spray them on the entire surface of the tank while it's connected to your grill and the valve is in an open position.
Look for bubbles coming from any connections, such as the regulator, valves, or connector. Bubbles mean that there's a leak and you should have it fixed right away.
5. Run the Grill
Now it's time to fire up your grill and let it run on high heat for around 10 minutes to help burn off any residue that might be left over from the cleaning process.
It's not recommended to let it run at a high temperature for more than 10 minutes without food on it.
Once it's cooled down then don't forget to put your cover back on your newly maintained grill!
To Sum Up
By following these 5 maintenance tips, you can keep your grill in good working order for many years to come. Regular maintenance will not only extend the life of your grill but will also contribute to it performing at its best every time you use it.
Thanks for reading, and happy grilling!
