A good gas grill can last up to a decade – provided, of course, proper care is taken. Unfortunately, because of lackluster upkeep, many grills wind up needing to be replaced prematurely. Not only does improper maintenance result in grills being thrown out well before their time, it also represents a substantial waste of money. Dependable grills generally don’t come cheap, and anyone looking to get the most for their money would be wise to make grill upkeep a priority. To help ensure that your grill remains in prime condition for years to come, put the following pointers into practice.
Invest in a Resilient Grill
As is the case with every type of product under the sun, not all gas grills are created equal. While some are designed to provide you with years of reliable use, others aren’t nearly as accommodating. So, if you’re looking to get the most for your money, you’d do well to invest in a resilient grill. To help ensure that you’re able to make an informed decision, check out this Weber grills comparison chart. A well-built, dependable grill may cost a little more than you initially intended to spend, but its resilience and dependability will provide you with a considerable return on your investment.
Clean Your Grill Before and After Each Use
There are two types of grill cleaning: basic and deep. While most people won’t need to give their grill a deep cleaning before and after each use, they will need to administer a basic cleaning. Luckily, basic grill cleaning is neither challenging nor time-consuming, and it stands to increase your grill’s lifespan exponentially.
For starters, every time you turn on your grill, make sure to preheat it completely, as this will clean and disinfect it. Secondly, take care to thoroughly brush the cooking grates to provide yourself with a clean surface on which to cook. Lastly, at the end of each cookout, make a point of burning off any remaining drippings or grease. You can do this by turning your burners to high after removing the last of your food.
Thoroughly Clean Your Grill After Several Cookouts
Although giving your grill a basic cleaning before and after each use can prove tremendously beneficial, you’ll also need to deep-clean it every few cookouts. Additionally, if you put your grill away for the winter, you’ll need to administer a deep cleaning after taking it out of storage in the spring or summer.
A deep cleaning entails removing the cooking grates and thoroughly cleaning them on both sides. These grates can be effectively cleaned with soap, warm water and a fair amount of elbow grease. If your grates are cast-iron, you can scrub them with a stiff wire brush. However, if your grill uses porcelain grates, a soft-bristled or nylon brush is generally recommended. Furthermore, since cast-iron grates are susceptible to rusting, you may want to rub them down with vegetable or canola oil after each cleaning. Even stainless-steel grates, which are more resilient than their cast-iron and porcelain counterparts, are prone to rust and should be dried completely before each cleaning.
Once you’ve removed the grates, you’ll be free to clean the barriers. Next, brush the grill’s interior into the drip pan before cleaning – or replacing – the grease drip pan. Upon putting the various components back into place, turn on the grill and let it heat up until there is little to no smoke coming out.
Properly Store Your Grill
Proper storage can help prevent your grill from falling victim to the elements or being damaged by local wildlife. With this in mind, make sure to invest in a durable grill cover. Since many grills come with these covers, you have no excuse not to use them. In addition, if you store your grill indoors, just remember that propane tanks must never be stored inside, so take care to remove your tank.
A good gas grill represents a sizable investment – one that can last over a decade if you play your cards just right. Conversely, failure to properly care for your grill is liable to result in it sustaining damage and/or needing to be replaced. Fortunately, grill maintenance doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. In your efforts to keep your grill up and running for the foreseeable future, a little bit of knowledge and dedication can go a long way.
