Grilling season is finally here! But before you fire up the barbecue, it is best to do some seasonal maintenance. Over winter, your grill will undergo wear and tear from the elements, regardless if it is stored in the garage or not. A safety check and thorough cleaning will help get your grill ready for backyard barbecuing, complete with peace of mind knowing it’s working at optimal performance.

Inspect, inspect, inspect

The first step when getting your barbecue ready is to perform a safety check on the tank and valves. For a propane barbecue, take the tank off and examine for damage, such as dents and holes. After your initial check, perform a soap test on both propane and natural gas grills to help identify any leaks. Rub soapy water around all valves, hoses and regulators, then start your grill. If bubbles form in an area, there is a leak that should be taken care of immediately. The last step is to check the ignition to ensure your barbecue is lighting properly.

Begin grilling season fresh

Now it is time to clean. Start by turning your grill on high for 10 to 15 minutes as this will burn off all the old debris from the previous year. Next, turn off the grill and let everything cool down. If you have a metal grill use a wire brush to scrape off any remaining food, and if your grill is ceramic use a wet cloth. Next, take apart your barbecue and use mild soap and water to scrub it both inside and out. Don’t forget to check inside the venturi tubes (the tubes that extend from the burner to the control valves), as this is a prime spot for insects and other debris to hide in. Once your barbecue is put back together, use cooking oil to re-season your cast iron or metal grates to make cooking easy.

Keep it clean all summer long

Once you start hosting summer barbecues, it’s a good idea to keep the grill tidy. After you are done cooking, turn the burners on high for five minutes to burn off any remaining food. Next, scrape using a wire brush or clean with a wet cloth, depending on the material of your grates. If you don’t get around to cleaning your barbecue until the next day, mix water and vinegar in a spray bottle, spray the grill and let it sit for an hour. After one hour, the food should come off easily and you can start planning your next summer party!

By taking these few extra steps and precautions, you can be certain your backyard grilling season will be red hot without worry.