With winter over and summer on its way, it's time to start prepping your grill for the upcoming season. Even if you've been grilling straight through the cold months, it's necessary to give your grill a once-over to ensure it's in tip-top shape to handle the demands of your summer barbecues. Here are some tips to achieving that.
Check all the Connections
For gas grills, this entails checking the hose that extends from your propane tank to the burners to make sure it's clean and attached correctly, advises The Kitchn. Clean off any debris, dirt and other buildup from this hose and inspect for signs of wear such as fraying or holes. You can easily and cheaply replace this hose if needed. It's better to be safe than sorry!
Clean it Up
Time for a little spring cleaning for your grill. Remove the grates and scrub all parts with a wire brush and damp rag. Soap may sound like a good idea but it can leave a residue that's hard to get off. Wash all grilling tools in warm soapy water or run them through the dishwasher cycle. Don't forget to clean the grease trap that's located under the burners. This one is easy to forget about but it's a crucial task. Clean out any debris that may have accumulated from the last time you used it. Sponge down the entire grill to get the left-over grease and dirt off.
Fire it Up
Before you invite the neighborhood over for the first barbecue of the season, test out the grill first to make sure all connections have been replaced properly and all burners are firing up as they should. Happy grilling!