Maintaining Your Gas Grill for a Great Cookout Season
With all the meat drippings and sauces a gas grill can get pretty messy, but it doesn’t necessarily have to a big chore to clean it. There are some steps you should take to make the maintenance of your gas grill a safe and easy task.
Before cleaning your gas grill, disconnect and remove the gas canister. Fill a large plastic tub with warm water, and a household degreaser cleaner. A large storage tote type container works great for this.
Remove the grills and place them in the tub and allow them to soak for about an hour. Discard the old coals. Take out the rack and soak it with the grills. If your gas grill has a drip guard, remove this as well and place in tub along with the grills. Use a stiff brush to remove any burnt on grease from the inside of the grill and then use a wet and dry vacuum cleaner to clean up the lose debris.
Now you can inspect closely the burner and inside of the grill. If the burner looks worn, then it’s time to replace it. If the inside of the gas grill has any rust, brush it with vegetable oil. The combination of heat and oil will form a protective coating and prevent any further rust.
Remove the grills and other parts from the tub and using a metal grill brush to scrub them to remove any baked on grease. Use a plastic or nylon scouring pad when cleaning a porcelain grill as a metal brush can cause scratches. Reassemble the grill in the reverse order that you took it apart. Cover your gas grill between uses to protect it from dust and rain.
Besides cleaning, there are a few things you should do on a regular basis to keep your gas grill safe and in top working condition. Inspect the flexible hose that goes from the grill to the gas tank for any cracks or wear. If in doubt, replace it before you use the grill again.
Check all connections on your gas grill by rubbing a little soap and water solution around the fittings. If you turn on the gas and see bubbles, the connections either need tightening or are defective. Do not use the grill until you tighten the connections or replace them if necessary.
When using your grill never leave it unattended and never use a grill under any sort of overhang. Flare ups from grills have been known to cause numerous house fires. When the gas grill is not in use, be sure to remove the control knobs to prevent children from turning on the grill.
Finally, the best advice is to read your gas grill’s manual and refer to it often. If you are new to grilling and a problem should arise, call your grill manufacturer’s customer care line for advice. They have knowledgeable service technicians to handle your problems and assist you in finding help with any repairs. It is always best to play it safe to ensure a happy and fun grilling season!
