One of the best ways to spend a summer evening is to host a barbecue. But remember to show your grill a little love at the beginning of every season to make sure it is safe and in good working order.
Here are a few tips to keep your grill in top shape:
Before every use:
• To keep your grill clean and sanitary, be sure to always preheat it.
• Brush the grates to remove old food residue.
After every use:
• When you’re done cooking, turn the heat up for a few minutes to burn off any extra food.
• Once cooled, put a protective cover on the grill.
Every month:
• Remove the grates and clean them.
• Replace or clean the grease drip tray while the grates are drying.
Annually:
• Replace hoses that are cracked or damaged.
• If you don’t have spider guards (small screens that discourage bugs), clean the metal tube under each burner with a small flexible brush and look for insects that may have crawled into these tubes and blocked the gas flow over the winter.
• Use a pipe cleaner or wire to ensure burner ports are free of rust, dirt, spider webs, or other debris.
