Do you often times think about being out with your grill, flipping those patties, roasting those veggies, or grilling that pineapple? Do you view your grill as your best friend, or even an extension of your family unit? Don’t worry, I’m not judging you, much. But if you do view your grill that way, then doing proper grill cleaning and grill maintenance should be high on your list of priorities.

PREHEAT YOUR GRILL COMPLETELY

Preheating helps remove some of the residue from prior use. How long should you preheat it? A good rule of thumb is about 15 minutes for maximum temperature. To cook at a lower temperature, like for low and slow BBQ cooking, preheat for 10 minutes or less.

WIPE OFF ANY SPILLS ON YOUR GRILL QUICKLY

Bit of a messy cook are you? While that may not bother you, leaving spills on your grill could attract the wrong crowd… and lots of them. Rodents are attracted to that sweet goodness you like to call barbecue sauce, and if left on your grill, that sauce is an open invitation to those uninvited “guests”.

SCRUB YOUR GRILL TO KEEP IT CLEAN AND IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION

After using your grill, use a grill brush to scrub the grates as best you can. It will be easier to clean while it’s still warm, and this will make it easier come deep-cleaning time.  Come on, I know your arms are good for it, they flip those patties, don’t they?

Take the grates in after using barbecue sauce, and if possible, soak them in a sink. Then, when the grill is completely cool, wipe up any other spills with a damp paper towel.

A GOOD GRILL COVER HELPS KEEP YOUR GRILL CLEAN AND LAST LONGER

One of the best ways to keep your grill in good shape is to keep it covered. This can reduce the risk of your grill becoming covered in rust as well as keep water out of the grill, and critters too. Just bear in mind, if your grill is located in an area that tends to be humid, you may want to periodically remove the cover to let the grill breathe for a little while if you go long periods of time without using the grill. Remember, it’s your baby. You don’t want to keep it covered all the time, you want to show that bad boy off!

ROUTINELY CHECK FOR ANY POSSIBLE PROPANE LEAKS

It should only take a few minutes to check your gas grill for leaks before firing it up, and those couple of minutes could pay off. Unless you like singed eyebrows and explosions. Ok, I’m being dramatic, but you get the picture.

It’s as simple as inspecting the hoses, looking for signs of cracking, holes, or tears. Check that the hoses are tightly connected, and there are no bends or kinks in the lines. Do a once over of the exterior of the gas cylinder for things such as rust, bulges, dents, punctures, or corrosion. Then, run some soapy water along the gas line and connections (with the propane turned on). If you notice any bubbles form, you know there’s a leak, and you either need to tighten the connection or you might need to replace the line. Checkout the United States Consumer Product Safety Commissions article on this subject at https://www.cpsc.gov/content/cpsc-releases-grill-safety-tips.

THE BOTTOM LINE.. KEEP YOUR GRILL IN GOOD CONDITION

So what’s the take away about keeping your grill in good condition? Well of course we want you to use Pro Grill Cleaning for all your deep grill cleaning services. That’s just good sense. But do your family (and your baby) a favor, ok, ok, and US…  keep your grill in Good Condition between those Professional Grill Cleanings.