5 Valuable Grill Maintenance Tips

December 1, 2020

A grill might not be the most expensive investment you make for your home, but a quality unit will be an investment worth protecting. To maintain your grill, keep it functioning well, and make it last, there are several basic maintenance tasks that should on your list of things to do around the house. A quality grill can provide years of service if it is provided with proper care. Here are some grill maintenance tips to keep your grill functioning and looking as great as the day you brought it home from the store:

1. Check Your Owner’s Manual for Special Quirks

Be sure to reference the owner’s manual before you go about disassembling or cleaning the parts and components of your grill. Some grills may have their own set of quirks when it comes to its functional parts.

Plus, the owner’s manual may provide some tips for cleaning and maintenance. There may be solvents or products to avoid using on the stainless exterior or even on the grates. Although it’s generally easy to clean stainless steel appliances, using the wrong products can damage the finish or the surface.

And, using the wrong products or approach on the grates could remove the seasoning on the metal and affect the taste of the food you cook on the grill in the future. So, it’s a good idea to make a quick reference of your owner’s manual step one of your maintenance.

2. Clean Your Grill Properly After Every Use

Your grill will be the easiest to clean immediately after use. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to let your delicious meal get cold while you clean your grill. But, when the grill is turned off after use, close the lid to maintain some residual heat. After enjoying your food, be sure that you go out and give the grates a good scrubbing with a grill brush or cloth that is approved for use on your particular model.

The heat from cooking will be to your advantage when it comes to cleaning and removing food particles and grease. Once the grill is cool, and food dries on the grates, it becomes much harder to clean. You will thank yourself for taking the time to clean your grill after each use when it comes time to fire it up and cook the next meal on it.

Cleaning also includes clearing the exterior. Use a manufacturer-approved cleaning agent on the exterior of the grill. Many grills are stainless steel. A stainless steel cleaning spray can help to remove grease residue, fingerprints, and other dirt from the unit’s exterior housing. This will help keep it looking spotless and like new.

3. Check Over Your Grill as You Clean

Another one of the useful grill maintenance tips is to check over your grill as you clean. As you clean the inside and outside of your grill, keep an eye out for other things, such as rust spots, that need to be cleaned and repainted. You will also want to make sure latches, knobs, hinges, etc. all work as intended.

Depending on the type of grill you have, also check the gas line hoses and connections as these can be a safety concern. For electric grills, make sure that the ignition switch is in working order so that the next time you go to cook, you aren’t stuck with a grill that won’t light.

4. Protect Your Grill When it’s Not in Use

After each use, be sure to put a weatherproof, pest-proof cover over your grill once it’s clean and cooled down. During the colder weather months, when many homeowners aren’t grilling outside, cover your grill and store it in a sheltered place, such as your garage or shed, during the off-season.

5. Deep Clean Before Storing in Off-Season and Again Before Using in Pre-Season

Before storing your grill for the off-season, give it a deep clean and a thorough once-over to look for any maintenance issues. It’s important to conduct this maintenance step again before using it for the first time after you bring it out of storage.

Depending on where you store your grill, dampness can cause corrosion while not in use. And, in some cases, pests can take residence inside the grill and create nests that can be a fire hazard if they are not discovered prior to lighting the grill.

Whether it’s a movable unit or built into an outdoor kitchen, keeping your grill in good working order requires some quick routine maintenance. With these grill maintenance tips, you can protect your investment and get many more working years from your grill.

Grilling in the summer is a classic way to bring people together and hang out with the family, but a home design that doesn’t work can make it difficult. If your current home isn’t cutting it no matter how much remodeling you do, consider a custom home that is built to suit your needs and tastes.

If you are ready to start planning and building your next dream home, give Custom Home Group a call at 717-284-4090!