Clean your grill to get ready for summer cooking

NEW YORK — The weather will soon be heating up and no matter whether you grill year-round or put the grill away for the winter, it’s a good idea to clean it thoroughly once or twice a year.

The grilling experts at Broil King offer some advice to get your grill ready for the season.

You will need:
Sturdy bristle brush
Grill cleaner
Toothpicks
Soap and water
Venturi brush

First, remove all the cooking grids, grates and burners and use a sturdy bristle brush to remove the buildup of grease on the inside of the oven.

Using a grill cleaner, scrub the inside and outside of the oven and then rinse with water. Never use oven cleaner on your grill. It is corrosive and can damage the other components.

Next, inspect the burners, making sure there are no holes rusted through any of the components. If there are, it’s time for a replacement.

Clean out any clogged burner ports using a toothpick, being careful not to damage the ports. Check all igniter contacts to ensure they are not corroded or loose and remove any debris from the electrode.

Clean out the burner venturi tubes using a venturi brush. It’s very important to keep these tubes clean. Spiders love to make nests in these tubes, creating blockages that can cause serious damage.

Examine the heat medium

If you have a heat plate, remove any grease buildup and make sure there are no holes rusted through. If you have briquettes make sure they aren’t crumbling and the pores aren’t clogged with grease.

Now, check the cooking grids and make sure no welds are broken and brush off any stuck-on residue. If you have cast iron cooking grids, season them with oil to help keep food from sticking and help prevent rust. 

Finally, inspect the gas hose to make sure there aren’t any cracks or leaks. This can easily be done by preparing a soapy solution and applying it to the connections at the tank and valve.

Turn the tank on slowly and watch for bubbles to form, which indicates that there is a leak. Try tightening the connections and re-test.

If persistent leaking or blistering is detected, stop using your grill and replace the gas assembly.

Finally, check the condition of your control knobs, thermometer, and handles. Replacing small items like this can refresh your grill and make it look new again.