One of the joys of grilling is that it can turn food preparation into a social occasion. And as it is commonly seen, most people grill when they are having friends or extended family over. New gas grills are efficient. But with time, dirt can reduce this efficiency. This is where cleaning and maintenance come in. To ensure your grill works at peak capacity all the time, you will have to do some regular maintenance. Here are some gas grill maintenance tips you should follow.
Each Time You Grill
Each time you use your grill you will have to clean it. That does not mean deep cleaning, because who has the time? However, the grates need to be cleaned regularly. Remember you are placing food directly on these grates. Each time you turn on your grill to prepare a meal, preheat your gas grill first for a few minutes. This is for cleaning and disinfecting it. Use a brush to remove residue on the cooking grates. You will have a clean cooking surface for your meats and vegetables.
When you are done grilling, it is advisable to turn up the heat for a few minutes to burn off the grease and drippings. Let the grill cool down, then cover it till your next grilling session.
Protecting Your Grill
When you are not using the grill, ensure it is protected. If you are using a portable grill, once it has cooled down, move it somewhere indoors, like the garage. Always ensure that your grill remains covered. This is particularly important if your grill is in an outdoor kitchen. You will be protecting it from dust, dirt, water spots, and any other debris.
Cleaning the Grills
After every ten cookout sessions, you may want to do some thorough cleaning. This is where you remove your cooking grates and use a brush to clean both sides. You should also clean the barriers below the grates and above the burners. Do not forget to clean or replace your grease tray. Once you are done, put everything back on the grill and turn it on. Let it heat up for a few minutes or until smoke stops coming out of the grill.
Deep Cleaning
Most people use their gas grills over summer and store them during winter. Before storage, this is the perfect time to give your gas grill a deep clean. Here are some tips to follow.
Get Your Cleaning Products
Choose the right cleaning products to keep the gas grill in good condition. While there are many products for cleaning gas grills, read the label first before buying. Some cleaning products may end up damaging your grill. Some can ruin the exterior finish, which strips your gas grill of its appealing look. If you have been maintaining your gas grill well, then you will only need water and dish soap. These two are good enough for cleaning the grill without causing damage.
Remove The Grates And Burner Covers
These components will probably be dirty as they have not been washed in water in a while. To make your work easy, soak them in warm soapy water. After a few minutes, you can scrub off the dirt with a scouring pad. Once they are clean, check for rust. If any of those components are rusty or worn out, consider replacing them.
Inspect And Clean Burners
Grill burners will only need some tidying up because they are usually protected by the covers. Steel wool will do. You can also spray some degreaser on them to remove the grit. Inspect the burner holes as well and ensure they are clear. If they seem clogged, a straight pin or nail will help unclog them.
Do not forget to clean the inside of the hood and grill as well. Dirt can accumulate, and this reduces the efficiency of the grill.
Confirm Functionality
Part of maintenance is ensuring that all components are working and scheduling for gas grill repair if need be. You also need to know when it is time for a replacement. If some parts are totally worn out, you will need to replace them. Here are the components you should check for functionality:
- Pressure regulators
- Push-button igniter switch
- On/ off switches
- Thermometers
- Ignition switch batteries
Gas Grills Safety
If you keep your gas grill, it will serve you for many years. It will not break down just when you want to start preparing your food. Another benefit of maintaining your gas grill is that the taste of your food will be as good as you want. An unclean grill can cause flavors to mix because you are cooking on top of burnt food. Fires are also a real concern with gas grills. Maintaining your gas grills reduces the chances of flare-ups, hence enhancing safety.
Your grilling experience is better and safer when using a clean and well-maintained material. Invest a bit of your time every now and then in keeping the grill clean and ensuring all components are working as they should.
