Backyard Barbeque Season is Here! Is Your BBQ Grill Ready?
With temperatures rising, many of us are ready to break out the BBQ grill and plant his year’s first backyard barbeque. While you may be anxious to kick off the grilling season, you first need to make sure your grill is up to the task.
Evaluate Your Grill’s Condition
Using a grill that is dilapidated and worn out will not only make it difficult to achieve culinary greatness but it can be dangerous. Before you fire up your grill, it’s important to make sure it is in good condition. Check it over thoroughly and determine if any parts need to be replaced or if it’s time for a new grill.
Is it Sturdy?
If you wheel your grill out of storage and it is wobbling back and forth even though you’re on level ground, you might have a problem. Check all the assembly points and make sure all the nuts and bolts are tight. They can sometimes loosen up over time. Make sure the wheels are firmly attached as well. If you’ve tightened everything up and your grill still seems unstable, rust may have progressed to the point where it has impacted the structure. Grilling with an unstable grill is dangerous. It could collapse while cooking and start a fire or cause personal injury.
What About Rust?
Even if you just got your grill last season and stored it properly, a little rust is normal. For grills that have seen multiple seasons, rust build-up can do more than just impact their stability. Clear away any rust with a stainless steel wire brush. If that reveals damage and deterioration on your grates or in your firebox, it’s time to think about getting a new grill. Depending on the age and manufacturer, you may be able to order replacement grates.
Are There Any Leaks?
Leaks in the hose, connectors, or the tank on your grill can create the potential for disaster. You can test for leaks by spraying all these areas with soapy water, then turn on on the gas slowly. If any bubbles appear, you have a leak. Leaks in the hose or the connectors can be addressed by replacing the damaged parts. If bubbles appear between the black knob that screws into the tank and the tank itself, then the leak is in the tank and it will have to be replaced.
Keep it Clean
Keeping your grill clean will extend its lifespan. It should be cleaned after each use. All stainless steel and enamel exterior surfaces can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a sponge then wiped dry. Grates can be cleaned with a stainless steel wire brush while they are hot. If you’ve allowed them to cool without cleaning them, you can either heat the grill back up or spray the grate with a mixture of equal parts of vinegar and water and let it sit for an hour. This will soften up any cooking residue so it can be cleaned without reheating the grill.
You also need to make sure the burner ports on your grill are clean. Dirty ports can result in yellow flames and uneven cooking heat. They can easily be cleaned with a toothpick or a paperclip. If you still have issues after cleaning the burner ports, they will need to be replaced.
It’s important to prevent grease from building up on your grill. It can result in your grill catching fire. If left unattended, grease can bond to your grill, making it impossible to clean. If you can’t get it clean, it’s time to replace it.
A Safe and Successful Backyard Barbeque
If after cleaning and thoroughly inspecting your grill, you’ve decided you need new parts or a brand new grill, Jersey Coast Appliance has got you covered. We’re your BBQ grill headquarters here at the Jersey Shore.
It doesn’t matter if your preference is gas or charcoal, our expert staff can help you choose the perfect grill. We proudly carry quality grills manufactured by Weber, DCS, and Lynx and are authorized parts depot for Weber. Contact us or stop into one of our two locations for all your BBQ repair and replacement needs.
