Get your grill in gear before summer

Spring is here and summer won’t be far behind. One important and hardworking appliance you need to have at the ready for this time of year? The grill. After a winter of sitting idly by, it might be time to clean it and get it ready for the cookouts to come. Giving your grill a good cleaning will get it ready for summer, make your grill cook better and prolong its life.

Get cleaning

Start by cleaning your grill thoroughly on the inside. If you have stainless steel or porcelain-covered grill grates, a simple approach to cleaning the grates is to spray them with standard oven cleaner and place inside a large trash bag. Leave the trash bag out in the sun all day. The heat of the sun and the black trash bag will work like an oven to heat up grime and bake it off. Follow by rinsing in water and scouring with a sponge or scouring pad. Wash and rinse the grates thoroughly.

If your cooking grates are cast iron, you should not use oven cleaner. Cast iron is porous and can absorb some of the cleaner, which besides being toxic can affect the taste of your food. Instead, thoroughly scrub the grates with a wire brush to remove residue. Using a wadded piece of aluminum foil, scrub the grates until no residue can be seen on either side.

Inside the grill, use a paint scraper to scrape up any accumulated grease and grime. Wipe out with wadded newspaper followed by paper towels and warm water with a mild detergent. Wipe down the inside thoroughly with paper towels wet with clear water to remove any soapy residue. Using a paper towel, apply a light rubbing of shortening or vegetable oil on your grates to protect them from rust and prevent food from sticking.

Be sure to clean off the exterior of the grill with a commercial cleaner or degreaser. Wipe off with wet paper towels and wipe dry. If the exterior of your grill is stainless, apply a light coat of stainless steel polish, then wipe and polish with a microfiber towel or paper towel to shine. Be sure to clean off knobs; and if your grill has wheels, give them a shot of automotive silicone protectant spray to make them look fresh too.

Grill protection

Rust and grime are the two most common problems with grills. When grates rust, food often sticks and can ruin your meal; rust can also affect the taste and quality of your food. For that reason, make sure your grill has a good cover so that rust doesn’t develop.

When it comes to grill covers, go for quality. A good-quality grill cover is heavier and won’t blow off the grill. Better still, it’ll last longer and be a better barrier to the elements.

For cleaning your grill, make sure you also invest in a heavy-duty grill brush. Here again, a quality brush is worth the money. Check your local grill and fireplace store for recommendations on a brush that will get the job done.

(For more information, contact Kathryn Weber through her website, www.redlotusletter.com.)

(c) 2018 KATHRYN WEBER. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.