Grill Maintenance 101: Essential Tips for a Long-Lasting BBQ

Summer beckons. 

Pretty soon, we’ll be out of the woods of these pesky 50 degree days. Hey May, don’t let the door hit you on your way out. 

We’ve got a few weeks until the start of grilling season, and it’s time to dive into some essential tips to keep your BBQ grill in working shape so that you can be crowned the King or Queen of Burgers, Brats, Salmon, Eggplant, and whatever else you throw on there. 

1. Clean After Every Use

A cat cleans itself. Your grill is not a cat, so you’re on the hook for maintaining its hygiene. 

After you’ve finished cooking and your grill has cooled down a bit, grab a grill brush and give those grates a good scrub. This helps remove any leftover food particles and prevents rust. If you’ve got a gas grill, don’t forget to clean the burners, too. 

A clean grill not only lasts longer but also cooks better, and who doesn’t want that?

2. Check for Gas Leaks

You don’t want to mess with gas leaks. 

If you’re using a gas grill, you can check for leaks with the soapy water test. Mix a bit of dish soap with water and brush it on the connections. If you see bubbles forming, you’ve got a leak. Tighten the connections and test again. 

This little step can prevent big problems, like your grill exploding, which I hear is a major buzz-kill. 

3. Oil the Grates

We’re about to save you from committing one of grilling’s major faux pas.

Before you fire up the grill, oiling the grates can make a big difference. It helps prevent food from sticking and keeps the grates in good condition. Just dip a paper towel in some oil, use tongs to hold it, and wipe it over the grates. 

Your food will thank you for it, and your grill will, too.

4. Cover Your Grill

Oh how people forget this step.

It’s easy, because you can’t cover your grill right after you use it, unless you enjoy melting things that shouldn’t be melted. 

After your grill cools down, slap that cover on it. A good grill cover protects it from the elements, like rain, snow, dust, and critters. It’s a simple way to extend the life of your grill despite nature’s efforts to conspire against it. 

5. Deep Clean Annually

This is starting to feel pretty high-maintenance, isn’t it? Well, the life of your grill depends on these steps. 

Once a year, go beyond the usual post-cookout scrub and give your grill a deep clean. Disassemble it as much as possible and clean each part thoroughly. For gas grills, this means cleaning the burners, inspecting the gas tubes, and making sure there’s no buildup that could block the flow of gas. 

For charcoal grills, remove all the ash and scrub the interior. A deep clean keeps your grill in peak condition and can catch any potential issues before they become major problems.

6. Replace Worn-Out Parts

Even with the best care, some parts of your grill will wear out over time. 

Don’t take it personally; it just happens. 

Grates, burners, and igniters are some common culprits. Keep an eye on these parts and replace them when necessary. It’s a small investment that can keep your grill working like new-ish.

Taking care of your grill might seem like a hassle (okay, it definitely is), but a little maintenance goes a long way, and you don’t want to be dethroned from your status as grilling royalty. 

🍺 SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT 🍺 

Do you know what goes great with grilling? Beer, of course! 

If your kid’s not around to fetch you a cold one while you’re in your cooking zone, what can you do? We’ve got the answer: our Beer to Go Gift Cooler. This gem has a waxed cotton canvas exterior, a removable padded divider and an adjustable shoulder strap. Not only that, we stock it with canned Chicago craft beer. 

Grilling just got a whole lot better. 

About BasketWorks

BasketWorks is a woman-owned gift basket company located in the north suburbs of Chicago (specifically Northbrook, IL) since 1997. We are proud to offer a variety of gifts and gift baskets appropriate for all occasions. Each of our packages is built to order, allowing for customization at no additional cost to our clients. Contact us today!

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