How to Store a Grill: Professional Tips for Off-Season Care
How to Store a Grill: Professional Tips for Off-Season Care
As the temperatures drop, many find themselves facing a choice: to grill or not to grill. There is no shame in choosing to store your grill until it warms back up again. If your grilling season is coming to an end, then it’s time to make the necessary preparations to store your grill properly so it is ready to go when Spring comes around.
Continue reading as we share our best practices for storing your grill over long periods. These products and practices will prolong the life of your grill and ensure that you are not in for a nasty surprise the next time you feel like firing up the BBQ. We’ve included affiliate links so you can easily find exactly what you need to store your grill over the off-season.
Step 1: Clean and Degrease Your Grill Thoroughly
Before your grill is ready for storage, it needs a deep cleaning. This step is vital in preventing corrosion, pests, and mold. Not to mention any grease or grime left in there will only harden over the months, making it even harder to clean when the temperatures warm up again.
- Use a grill brush to scrape the grill grates, just as you would before and after cooking. This will help remove any food debris.
- Apply a grill degreaser to the grates and interior of the grill.
- Scrub. Scrub. Scrub.
If the grates are stubborn, soaking them in soapy water may help. But when all else fails, the grill service experts at SoCal Grill Cleaning are here to help. Online booking is now available, or you can call to schedule your appointment today.
Step 2: Season Your Cast Iron or Cast Stainless Steel Grates
For long-term storage, we recommend mineral oil since it doesn’t go bad and is food-safe. An oil sprayer makes the job much easier and provides a nice, even coat.
Seasoning your grates is essential to their longevity as it provides a non-stick, rust-resistant coating. There is nothing worse than opening up your grill only to find a rusted-over mess. That spells a costly repair and delayed dinner plans. If your grill is in need of restoration, check out our services and give us a call. We can bring your old grill back to its former glory with a whole lot of TLC.
If your grill does not have cast iron or stainless steel grates but you are interested in them, give us a call today, and we can help you find the right fit for your grill. Everyone deserves a dinner fit for a king, and if cast iron is what you want for your grill, then we will make that happen.
Step 3: Invest in a High-Quality Grill Cover
A durable, weatherproof grill cover is your grill’s first line of defense against threats like salty sea air, rainwater, dust, and debris. A high-quality grill cover will last more than one season and save you far more in repairs. Follow these tips to find the best fit for your grill:
Make sure your grill cover is made of a waterproof, UV-resistant material that can stand up against the sun and weather damage. Something like this cover would be a great choice.
If you live in a rainy or humid climate, then a snug fit is of the utmost importance to prevent rust from claiming your grill. Choose a cover with the right dimensions and save yourself the headache of a corroded grill later. The Cover Store makes custom covers for just about anything you can imagine and is well worth the investment.
Plan for a Longer Cooking Time
Whenever possible, a covered dry area like a shed or garage is the best option for grill storage. Four walls and a roof isn’t always an option, especially for a built-in grill such as this fine piece of outdoor cookery that we cleaned up in Flintridge. But there are still steps you can take to prevent rust from ruining your next cookout.
- You can leave a moisture-absorbing bag in your grill when it is time to store it for the off-season. They aid in preventing condensation from forming, essential in humid environments.
- Be sure that your grill is fully cleaned and dry before covering and storing your grill.
Step 5: Use a Grill Mat
Whether you are storing your grill indoors or outdoors, a grill mat will help prevent rust from occurring on the legs. And if you skipped step 1 then it will also protect the surrounding areas from any stray grease or grime or animal droppings from pests lured to your grill by the tasty scent of burnt-on barbecue sauce.
Grill mats also prevent rust from forming on the feet or legs of your grill by keeping them off potentially damp surfaces. This heavy-duty grill mat protects your floors and your grill.
Now You Know How to Store A Grill
Proper maintenance is key to the longevity of your grill, and for many, that includes long-term storage over the colder months. Though grilling season never ends around here, following these tips will help you store your grill over the off-season and protect it from the elements and any potential pests.
Be sure to check out the affiliate links above for high-quality tools and accessories to make grill maintenance that much easier. A little maintenance will save you a lot of time and money down the line, but if you’re running low on elbow grease, call Bob and Rohan at Southern California Grill Cleaning to schedule your deep cleaning today. No one likes a filthy grill.
Got Grease?
Not for long! Schedule your deep cleaning service today and save yourself the headache tomorrow.
