HOW TO GET YOUR GRILL READY FOR THE WINTER
Even while some of you courageous individuals go out into the biting cold and bitter winds of winter to BBQ all year, the majority of us don’t do so. This leads us to the subject of how to prepare your grill for inclement weather. After all, winter is on its way.
You know that feeling you get when you forget to take the coffee grinds out of the coffee pot and then you leave on vacation? That feeling. When you go home and try to make your first cup of coffee, it’s a little disgusting. So let’s talk about how to prevent a predicament like this while you’re grilling. Yes, first and foremost, you must clean your grill! The quickest and most effective method is to turn on the stove and leave it on high until all of the food particles have been cooked away.
Once everything has been reduced to ash, turn off the grill and let it to cool for a while. When the temperature is low enough that you won’t burn your arm hairs, take a moist cloth and clean all of the soot off of the grates. There will also be a requirement to clean the interior of the grill. If you use lava rocks, now is a good time to change them. However, keep in mind that coating your grill with anything more than a little spray of vegetable oil may be hazardous to both you and your food if not done correctly.
Although I’ve seen individuals coat the insides of their barbecues with aluminum foil and other grease-absorbing items, I strongly advise against doing so. According to the Bull BBQ manufacturer, “Aluminum foil, sand, or any other grease-absorbing material should not be used to coat the bottom of the grill enclosure. “If grease is unable to drop down into the grease collector, a grease fire may result.” It seems to be a severe situation, as shown by the use of full-blown CAPITAL letters in their warning. So you can tell they’re serious about doing business.
Now that you can credibly claim that your grill is gorgeous on the inside, why don’t you spend a few minutes to ensure that she is as beautiful on the outside? Maintaining the shine of your grill by removing oil splatters and food particles from the coating prevents the grill from staining or rusting.
A moderate soap and warm water solution is recommended for cleaning the cooking grids of a Bull BBQ, according to the standard owner’s handbook. Check your grill’s owner’s handbook to see what procedure is advised and safe for your particular model.) To avoid scrubbing the paint straight off of the on/off switch, they also recommend: “…cleaning your cooking grids using either a towel or a vegetable brush.” Keep an eye out for chips in the porcelain finish.”
Before you put the lid on that bad boy, make sure you give it a thorough inspection. What’s the status of your hoses? How do they feel in your hands? Are they malleable and clean, or brittle and looking a bit worse for wear? Now is the best moment to pay attention to these details. If you catch them now, you won’t have to worry about your annual family reunion/pool party breaking down in the middle of a kebob.
While you’re at it, you may as well check the elements, the temperature gauge, the knobs, and the handles. If you find yourself in need of replacement components, you may contact your local outdoor barbeque retailer. The options are many, and the helpful staff can assist you if you are unsure whether or not you have selected the correct nozzle! Is everything in order? GREAT!
It’s time to tuck her in….BUT…
Yes, there’s more to it…
All of the hard work you’ve put in thus far will be for nothing if you don’t have a good cover. You spent a lot of money and effort creating the ideal BBQ, but spending a few additional dollars on a high-quality cover may make all the difference. As a result, your grill is protected from the sun, rain, and other elements over the winter, and you are fully prepared when you remove the cover in the spring. You can get a fantastic range of vinyl grill covers for all sorts of barbecues on the Bay Area BBQ Island website. Whether you have a freestanding or a built-in BBQ, most excellent barbecue dealers have a high-quality cover that will ensure that you didn’t simply spend all day working on that grill for nothing!
Some things to keep in mind:
Every grill is unique, so be sure to read your owner’s handbook! It’s the most effective method of being completely informed about what you can and cannot do with your new investment. A few things that Bay Area BBQ Islands, a Bull Authorized Service Center, suggests to maintain your grill in peak condition, and they are pleased to share that information with anybody interested in learning about the proper method to clean a BBQ, but to keep things easy here’s a good guideline to follow:
“After every barbecue, turn off the grill. This will maintain it ready for immediate use; but, once a year, you should thoroughly clean the whole grill to keep it in peak functioning condition.” Which is perfect if you’re getting ready for the next winter season. It allows you to do two tasks at once.
If you want to bring your grill inside for the winter (we don’t mind if it’s a built-in), be sure to disconnect and store your propane tank outdoors (again, we don’t mind if you don’t use one). It is against the law to store a propane tank larger than one pound in an enclosed area, according to Michael Caldarera, vice president of regulatory and technical services for the National Propane Gas Association. Be safe and ensure that your equipment is checked properly and stored in a secure location. Because it is immune to both heat and cold, it is recommended to keep your tank outdoors during the summer. I’m curious whether they manufacture propane tank covers.
Take a check behind the hood of your grill while you’re cleaning it. There’s carbon buildup everywhere, and in some instances it seems as if the paint on the interior is flaking away. Don’t be worried; this is also a result of carbon buildup. It’s not damaging, but it doesn’t hurt to give it a thorough clean down from time to time. Sometimes you’ll have to put in some extra effort and get a decent scrub brush to work. Our colleagues over at Bull Outdoor Products offer a fantastic collection that will meet any and all of your needs, regardless of your budget.
Wrap your burners with plastic bags after that. It may seem strange at first, and I was skeptical as well, but it really works! If you don’t want our six- and eight-legged friends getting into your burners over the long winter, wrap them in a plastic bag and secure it securely with some tape to keep them out. Just enough to keep the bag closed is sufficient, so don’t go overboard. If you’re not a fan of the whole plastic bag thing, Bay Area BBQ Islands, an approved Bull BBQ distributor, advises tin foil as an alternative. If your cover leaks (which it won’t, since you purchased a good one), this will also assist to keep any extra moisture away of the sensitive parts.
If you’re not a fan of using plastic bags to cover your burners, you may try spraying your grill with cooking oil instead. It acts as a water repellent and helps to prevent corrosion. Even while it might become a bit sticky in the winter, the sticky residue will burn off in the spring when you fire up the grills.
Heavy duty scrub pads may seem to be removing oil, but they are more likely to be removing paint, finish, and Teflon coatings as well. I can’t emphasize enough how crucial it is for you to check through your handbook to see what they recommend in terms of scrubbers. I had a peek at the owner’s handbook for the previously mentioned Bull BBQ, and here’s what I found: “…use a towel or a vegetable brush to clean the surface…” Typically, an old cloth, towel, or t-shirt will do for the exterior, and a soft bristle brush may be used to clean the inside of the hood. Bull Outdoor cleaning solutions are also available, which are suitable for use on any kind of barbecue.
Bull Outdoor Products may be bought at Bay Area BBQ Islands and other local retailers.
You’ve made it this far and you’re scratching your brain, thinking: “But I have a charcoal grill; how is this going to assist me?” Here are a few recommendations just for you:
If you cleaned your grill with a “light detergent and warm water,” as advised by Bull BBQ, you should be set to go. You’re free to go now. Keep in mind that leaving ashes behind might cause moisture to build up, which can lead to the dreaded RUST. You must ensure that your small companion is clean and clear of ash even if there aren’t any valves, tubes, tanks, or pilot lights in place. Rust may be detrimental to your grill, whether it is charcoal or gas, and the best approach to avoid this problem is to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
According to the user’s handbook I downloaded from the Bull BBQ website, a thorough cleaning is required once a year to ensure optimal operation. By winterizing your grill on an annual basis, you may easily turn that dream into a reality with very little additional work.
It’s time to tuck your little friend in for the winter and start thinking about what you’ll serve for brunch next spring. Keep in mind that winter is an excellent time to get out the sketchbook and begin planning your next home improvement project, such as, say…. Is there a new BBQ island? It’s a significant financial commitment, but one that will provide you with a lifetime of wonderful memories, not to mention delicious meals. Overall, the better you take care of your grill, BBQ, hibachi, or other outdoor cooking apparatus, the longer it will endure. As a result, be considerate.
READ MORE—–WHY IS NOW THE BEST TIME TO GET AN OUTDOOR HOW TO CLEAN YOUR BBQ GRILL AND TOOLSHow to prepare your BBQ grill for the winter months.
The temperature begins to drop and the leaves begin to fall, signaling that it is time to start thinking about how to prepare your grill for the winter months ahead. Whether you grill year-round or store your grill until spring, taking the time to clean and examine your grill after a long summer is one of the most important things you can do to guarantee that your grill lasts for years to come.
1.Ensure that your grill has been well cleaned.
Use a firm bristle brush to clean the interior of your oven once you’ve removed the various components. Make use of an old cloth and a bucket of hot, soapy water to thoroughly clean every surface of the grill, on the inside and outside. Don’t forget to dump the grease pan at the end of the day. It’s important to make sure your grill is totally dry before putting it away for the winter months.
2.Examine the components you’ve chosen.
If you want replacement components, now is an excellent time to consider placing an order for them. Check all of the hoses on your gas grill to make sure they aren’t brittle or have fractures in them.
3.Cooking grids made of cast iron should be seasoned.
Cleaning and drying frying grids before applying a thin coating of vegetable oil provides an additional barrier against rust. If you aren’t going to be using your grill for a time, bring your grids inside and keep them in a dry, warm location until you need them again. Find out more.
4.Invest in a heavy-duty grill cover to keep your barbecue protected.
It will aid in the protection of your grill from the weather.
5.Propane cylinders should be stored in a well-ventilated environment.
If you’re keeping your grill inside, remove the propane cylinders and store them in a well-ventilated place (garage, outdoor shed, etc.) When storing them inside, it is quite risky since even the tiniest leak may cause significant harm.
6.This product is intended for outdoor usage only.
In an enclosed place, such as your garage, shed, or balcony, you should never cook on your barbeque. Also, be certain that your grill is at least 30 inches away from a flammable surface and is not located under an overhanging structure.
The temperature begins to drop and the leaves begin to fall, signaling that it is time to start thinking about how to prepare your grill for the winter months ahead. Whether you grill year-round or store your grill until spring, taking the time to clean and examine your grill after a long summer is one of the most important things you can do to guarantee that your grill lasts for years to come.
