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Grilling & Barbecuing

Grill Maintenance and Cleaning

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How to Maintain Your Grill

Cleaning and then storing your grill properly will improve the grill’s performance and longevity.

How to Clean Your Grill

Clean your grill after each use. The cleaning method differs for gas and charcoal grills.

How to Clean a Gas Grill

  1. Turn off the gas flow to the grill. On a propane gas grill, the valve is near the top of the gas tank. Refer to your owner’s manual for the exact location.
  2. Close the lid of the grill and turn the heat to high. The high heat will burn food residues off the grill grates.
  3. After 15 minutes, turn off the grill and scrub the grill grate with a wire brush to clean off remaining residue.
  4. Use a thin wire to clear any clogged holes on the grill’s burners, or remove the burners and clean them with water.
  5. Check the lava rocks or porcelain briquettes in the grill for greasy buildup. If buildup is thick, turn over the rocks or briquettes. Replace the rocks or briquettes once a year, or more often if you grill frequently.

How to Clean a Charcoal Grill

  1. Extinguish the fire by covering the grill and closing both the top and bottom vents. Most fires should die within 20–30 minutes.
  2. Once the fire is out and the grill is cool, scoop the coals into a fire-resistant container. Any coals that are still black can be reused. Others should be discarded.
  3. Use a wire brush to scrub the grill grate and coal grate.
  4. Remove the coal ashes from the bottom of the grill and then wipe down the grill surface. Coal ashes are very acidic, so leaving them or their residue on your grill’s surface will cause it to corrode. You may be able to drain the ashes through a hatch or the vents at the bottom of the grill. If not, use a metal pail or spade to scoop out the ashes. Make sure the ashes are cool before discarding them.

Store Your Grill

You can store grills inside or outside.

  • Storing outside: Protect the grill from the elements by covering it with a vinyl grill cover.
  • Storing inside: A charcoal grill can be stored indoors. If storing a gas grill indoors, turn off all gas lines and remove the propane tank. Always store your propane tank outdoors even if you’re keeping your grill inside.
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