Restaurant Recipe Reviews

Some climates mean that gas grills can be used all year round, but if you live in a colder climate and winter is fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about the best ways of storing your grill.

Quality gas grills are a pleasure to use, but they are also an investment that needs to be protected. There can be quite a few steps to making sure your grill is properly cared for, but take it one step at a time and you’ll have everything sorted before you know.

A Is for Assemble

Assemble your supplies. For this step you’ll need a towel, warm, soapy water, a brass bristle brush, a soft cloth, sandpaper, some toothpicks and your manual. Take about an hour for this job before you move on to…

B Is for Briquettes

Actually B is for briquettes and cooking grids. Briquettes and cooking grids get pretty greasy with use, and you definitely don’t want to store greasy equipment. (Yuck.) Turn the briquettes over so the greasy side is up facing the burner. With the cooking grids in their regular place, light the grill and close the lid. Set the flame on “high” and leave everything for 15 minutes while the heat burns the grease off the briquettes and the grids.

Once it’s all cooled down, remove the grids and briquettes and use the brush and soapy water to clean off any grease still left over. Rinse, dry and then set them aside while you work on the next step.

C Is for Clogs

Now it’s time to clean the tubes and the burner if they have been clogged by food drippings, as this can short out the igniter flame (something you really don’t want). When the grill is being stored, insects and spiders can sometimes take over the gas tubes, so between grease and these insects, your flame could start to become uneven by the next time you use it. This is why it’s so important to make sure each part is clean.

Turn off the gas at the tank if you haven’t already done so. Following your owner’s manual, unfasten the burner, slip the gas tubes off of the gas lines, and remove the whole unit. Use the soft cloth and soapy water to clean the unit. Be as thorough as possible and try not to leave any accumulation of dirt or grease behind. Dry the unit and use the toothpicks to clean the gas ports. Clean the gas tubes with the soapy water, too, and set everything aside.

D Is for Damage

Damage that you are going to try to prevent, that is. Before you start cleaning the grill housing, which will help you prevent grease buildup and catch any corrosion before it develops, cover the gas orifices with aluminum foil to keep out water. Use the brush and soapy water to clean the grill housing inside and out. Rinse the housing, towel dry, and remove the aluminum foil you put on.

Now it’s time to check for chipped paint and any other damage. Although most grills are designed not to rust, moisture can get into chipped areas easier causing the grill to get weaker. When your grill is cool and dry you’ll want to sand down any damaged areas before using primer and high heat paint to touch them up again.

E Is for Everything

Put everything – meaning the gas tubes, burner, igniter – back together.

F Is for Fuel

Check the fuel supply to make sure there is no rust or dents on the propane tanks. If there are, you’re going to need to immediately replace them.

G Is for Goodnight, Grill

Where are you going to “put your grill to bed”? A fixed outdoor grill is, of course, going to stay just where it is, and you can keep the propane tank in its usual place and connected. You will want to put a protective cover over the grill. If you keep your grill inside in the winter, you must disconnect the propane tank and leave it – upright -outside.

Check your owner’s manual on the correct way to disconnect your tank. Tape plastic bags over the gas line openings of the grill to keep bugs out and store the tank in a cool, shady place away from furnace and dryer vents and children’s and pets’ play areas. Never ever (EVER) store the tank in an enclosed space such as your house, basement, or garage.

H Is for Happy

This is what you’ll be by the time spring comes and you want to get grilling again. You’ll be all ready to go.

Natalie MacBride would like everyone to look and feel as good as possible… and that includes eating… and grilling. If you’d like more Weber grilling tips and information (including an even easier way to clean a grill!), take a look at my lens — Weber S-320 Grill — at Squidoo. Click here for information on the Weber S-320 Grill and the most reliable stores online.