Photo Courtesy of Rednecks and Rhinestones
With Memorial Day coming up in a couple weeks, nothing says the beginning of summer like firing up the grill for food like hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, chicken or other delicious goodies. Sadly, nothing crashes a grill party faster than a grill that doesn’t light, cooks unevenly or smokes too much. The season will be here before you know it and this means it’s a good idea to do some safety checks and making sure your grill is ready to go for those summer cookouts!
The Toolbarn web staff have come up with the Internet’s best tips and tricks to make sure your grill is ready to go and be safe while doing it.
1.) Check Your Propane Tanks and Hoses
Photo Courtesy of Cooking Outdoors
Before you fire up the burners and get ready to go, it’s important to do a safety check of your grill…especially if it has been sitting dormant during the winter. Begin by taking off the propane tank, clean it and inspect for damage or wear. Also, check the hoses for lines or cracks. Checking for cracks is a simple process. When you feel the rubber hose lines, they should be flexible and easy to bend. If the hoses are hard, brittle or start to crack…it’s time to replace the hoses.
Now that that’s finished and if your hoses are fine, connect the hoses to the propane tank and grill. Find a spray bottle and put a cup or two of soapy water inside. Begin spraying the valves at both ends of the nozzles. If you see bubbles starting to form, that means you have a leak. If there are no bubbles, you’re fine. Keep checking up the hose until you’re finished.
It sounds routine, but this quick check can save you money, your home and even someone’s life. For a couple extra bucks, you have peace of mind knowing you don’t have a gas leak and preventing a BBQ fire.
2.) Clean The Inside and Outside of Your Grill
Photo Courtesy of the DIY Network
I know it stinks, but you’re going to have to do it eventually. Cleaning your grill is not only for your safety, but it will make your food taste better. Before you start brushing, go ahead and fire up the grill. This will burn off and get rid of any residue from last season. If you have a metal grill, use a wire brush to scrub off particles and if you have a porcelain grill, wait for it to cool off. Then, wipe it down with a brush and soapy water. It also helps to put a foil over your grill rack when cleaning just so residue doesn’t fall into the burners.
On the outside of your grill, it’s important to wash it down with warm, soapy water to make sure it’s ready for grilling season. It’s also a good idea to hose down and wash your grill cover. It will help your cover last longer and eliminate any mildew that may have grown on the inside.
3.) Clear Spider-Webs, Insect Nests and other Debris Away From Your Grill
Photo Courtesy of The Kitchn
If you’re cleaning your grill for the first time since last season, make sure you check your grill for debris either around the tank or near your burners. Spider-webs, insect nests and other debris can prevent the flow of gas to your burners and start a fire if you’re not careful. Using a wire brush or some other tool to knock them down is all you really need. Once that is cleared out, you should be in great shape.
4.) Find and Fix the Hotspots on Your Grill
Photo Courtesy of Gastronomer
Every grill has its advantages and its disadvantages and hot spots will become a reality even if some grills don’t start out that way. Hot spots on the grill can be a problem because some foods could cook unevenly. You could buy an expensive sensor to see where hot spots on your grill is, or you could be a loaf of bread and find out where the hot spots are according to the charred marks from the grill.
This low cost technique will save you time and give you an idea where to put certain food on your grill.
5.) Once You’re Finished, Have Fun!!!
Photo Courtesy of Algarve Kitchen Angels
Once you have your grill polished up and cleaned, it’s time to throw some food on the rack and have fun! Once you have all your safety checks and cleaning out of the way, you have all the time to cook up your favorite recipes while hosting friends and family. So grab your tongs, throw down some burgers or dawgs and get ready for your summer time!
