How To Maintain Your BBQ
Why Should You Maintain Your Grill?
BBQ maintenance is key to extending the life of your grill but many people don’t know how to maintain your BBQ. A dirty grill is a safety hazard and a money trap and no one likes a filthy grill. Neglect is the number one reason for most repairs and replacements. Grease fires, rust, and pests will cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars that could have been prevented with only a few simple steps. Don’t believe me? Check out these prices on replacement parts compared to the cost of a grill cleaning kit on amazon.
This kit includes all the tools and accessories you need to use, clean, and maintain your grill. The only things not included here is stainless steel polish and microfiber cloths. The grill mats alone will make a huge difference in the life of your grates and heat trays.
But, grill maintenance is about more than just what products you use. Follow these habits to keep your grill in good shape and keep your repair costs down. If your grill is already broken down, check out our Troubleshooting Guide.
Preheat Your Grill
Preheating your grill before you use it kills off bacteria, and helps to remove any remaining residue from the last time you used it. A typical rule of thumb is that 15 minutes should be sufficient to reach full temperature. We recommend preheating before cooking rather than cooking off the residue afterwards to reduce the risk of leaving your grill on and forgetting to turn it off.
Empty Your Grease Trap Regularly
I know, I know you want to know how to maintain your BBQ, but it’s gross. But you know who doesn’t think it’s gross? Rodents. A brimming grease tap is like an open invitation to all manner of pests, not to mention the fire hazard. Any drippings that are not vaporized by your heat trays will accumulate in a tray under your grill. Some models have a small removeable container and others have a larger slide out tray. Regardless of the grease trap that your grill has, it’s important to empty it regularly. Many customers like to fill their grease trap with cat litter to help with clean up. If you wipe it down regularly this will not be necessary.
Scrub Your Grates After Every Use
Would you cook on a frying pan caked in old burnt food that hasn’t been cleaned in a year? Of course not! The grease and fat and burnt food will corrode your cooking grates over time and those replacements can cost you hundreds of dollars. Save yourself the time and money by spending just a couple minutes scrubbing them down with a grill brush while the grill is still warm.
Be careful what products you are using, however, as some BBQ cleaning brushes have bristles that can fall out during use and end up embedded in your food, posing a serious health risk. Not to worry, there are safer options available.
Always Keep Your Grill Covered When Not In Use
Keeping your grill covered is crucial when it comes to BBQ maintenance, especially in a humid climate like the west coast. Stainless steel may not rust, but it can still corrode, and not all of the pieces in your grill are made of stainless. Water, sea-salt air, and the elements can all cause damage to the interior and exterior of your grill. If you don’t have a cover, or you need a new one, we recommend The Cover Store.
When In Doubt, Hire A Professional
If your grill is beat up and greasy and you don’t think you’re up to the task, call us or another professional company in your area. We have know how to maintain your BBQ and we have the equipment and expertise to bring your grill back to life and get you cooking in no time. An annual deep cleaning service is often enough for most, though this may differ depending on your use.
