Getting Your Grill Ready for the Barbecue Season

You can eat gourmet dinners right in your own kitchen every day of the week! You can prepare them from scratch with recipes or order them and just reheat gourmet meals are not just for the rich and famous. For premium gourmet meals be sure to buy the best quality - it might hurt your wallet a bit but the added taste will be worth it.

When the fall ended and winter was just around the corner you
probably did like most of us and threw a cover over the old
grill rolled it into the back of the garage or a shed (and some
of us even left them standing outside on the patio) and tucked
it away for the season. With the grilling and barbecuing season
just around the corner again your thoughts are probably
returning to that old grill. But before you fire it up you will
want to do a little spring cleaning to get it ready for the
season ahead.

Here are a few simple things to do to ensure that your grill
operates all season safely and without issue.

Clean the Grids Grate and Briquettes

First inspect the lava grate (upon which the briquettes rest)
to see if it is broken or about to break which is fairly common
considering the extreme changes of heat it endures. If you see
that it is broken replace the grate.

Next check the cooking grid (or grill) and warming rack.
Thoroughly clean them with a wire brush or scraper to remove any
built-up food residue using a mild detergent solution or a
commercial degreaser. If the grid is broken or severely chipped
and gouged replace it with a universal replacement available at
most hardware stores or if you are finding it difficult to
locate order one from the company that made your unit.

Now about briquettes. First if you noticed you were getting a
lot of flare-ups or uneven heat distribution last season you
should discard the old briquettes and get new ones. If you don't
have to replace your briquettes you will still need to clean
them. If you have ceramic briquettes the easiest way to remove
old grunge and buildup is to put them in the sink and cover them
with vinegar. Let the briquettes stand for 10 - 20 minutes.
Drain off the vinegar and rinse thoroughly with boiling water.
Let dry thoroughly before using.

If you have the porous lava rock you might want to check with
your local dealer about a commercial cleaning solution; however
if they are more than two seasons old you should replace them.

Check the Grill Ignitor

If when you give it a test the igniter does not seem to be
functioning check to make sure the electrode is one-eighth of
an inch away from the burner. This is the correct distance
required for spark generation. Examine the ignitor closely to
ensure that no food residue has built up on the electrode.
Additionally check to see that the electrode is not cracked.
Check the surrounding area of the igniter to be sure that it is
not shorting out or sparking at the grill frame or the casting
bottom. If none of these problems exist and it still does not
spark it is time to get a new igniter which is easily available
at your local hardware store or directly from the vendor.

<b>Clean and Inspect the Grill Burner </b>

CAUTION: Be sure to consult your owner's manual for the
instructions on how to remove the burner. Also before removing
the burner take particular note of the position of the Venturi
tube(s) at the gas control valve. Do not try to remove the
Venturi tube(s) from the burner base itself as it is extremely
easy to damage the sealing gasket and break the seal.

Following your grill manufacturer's instructions remove the
burner. Use a stiff brush to remove any built up residue from
the burner. Inspect closely for holes or cracks which occur most
commonly at the burner seams. Un-clog the burner ports which
are the little holes along the edge of the burner using a
toothpick or a piece of copper wire. You may also use a small
nail but be careful you can easily pierce or damage the ports.
If you encounter any kind of damage do not attempt to re-use
the burner. <b>It is simply not worth the plastic surgery to
save a few dollars on a burner.</b>

After sitting over the winter the Venturi tubes may contain
dirt spider webs water or other debris. These tubes may be
cleaned by using bent pipe cleaners a very small bottle brush
or a special Venturi brush which can be purchased from your
local barbecue dealer.

<b>Clean the Grill Housing </b>

Now while everything is out of the housing it is a good time to
clean it as well. Using a commercial grease remover wear rubber
gloves and eye protection and use a stiff steel brush and a
scraper to remove any soot and grease residue build-up from the
inside housing of your cooker. Before actually cleaning be sure
to cover valve holes and connection parts with aluminum foil to
protect them from damage and blockage.

After you have brushed and scraped the grill interior wipe away
any remaining grime and dry with paper towels.

Now is also a good time to check and ensure that all the nuts
and bolts and other connections on the grill are solid and
tight. This will help to ensure the grills stability and
steadiness.

<b>You Are Now Ready To Put It Back Together Again. </b>

Reinstall the burner(s) igniter rock grate lava rocks or
ceramic briquettes and the cooking grids. Be absolutely sure to
replace the burners exactly as they were before you removed
them. When replacing the burner remembering the Venturi tube(s)
position from earlier place the ends of the Venturi tubes over
the gas valves so they engage in a straight line. Make sure that
the valve orifices are one-quarter inch inside the Venturi
tubes.

<b>Inspect the Hose Assembly </b>

Before starting remember these rules to ensure your safety:

- <b>DO NOT SMOKE</b> or permit any flame or other source of
ignition in the area while conducting the leak test.

- <b>DO NOT</b> use matches lighters or flames of any kind to
check for leaks.

- <b>DO NOT</b> use the grill until all leaks are repaired and
double checked!

- <b>DO </b> conduct the test outdoors in a well ventilated
area.

- <b>If you are unable to stop a leak shut off the gas supply
and call a qualified Gas Appliance professional immediately.</b>

Inspect the hose closely for cracks nicks or cuts. If you find
any do NOT attempt to repair them with electrical tape or any
other kind of sealer. The gas is under pressure and any defect
weakens the hose which can easily result in a fire or explosion.
If any defects are found replace the hose before attempting to
use your grill.

<b>The Soap Test</b>

If no damage is readily visible it doesn't mean it doesn't
exist. To really verify that there are no pinhole leaks perform
the soap test by mixing a 50/50 solution of water and
dishwashing soap in a bowl. Make sure that all the control knobs
are in the 'Off' position and rub the soap solution over all
hose connections. Then turn the gas on at the tank (or the gas
valve for natural gas units) and check each connection to see if
there are any bubbles gurgling up. If there are the connection
is leaking gas.

If you detect a leak wipe off the solution remove the hose and
reconnect it again being sure the fittings are straight and
connections well tightened. Be careful not to overtighten though
as you could strip the connection. Once you are satisfied that
all connections are tight perform the soap test again. If the
leak persists replace the hose assembly prior to using your
grill.

<b>Check the Tank</b>

It is also important to check your propane tank if you have
one to ensure there are no holes dents rusted weak spots
cracks or other damage. If any damage is detected the tank
should be replaced immediately. Also most areas have a
expiration date which governs the life of the tank. If the tank
is past its expiration date replace it immediately.

It is a bit of work but preparing your grill for the barbecue
season ahead is quite simple and fast do to. If you are doing
this for the first time do not rush. It may take you a couple
of hours to complete the task but it is worth it to have a safe
grill that will provide you with years of great outdoor cooking.

About the author:
Joe Johnson is a founding partner with
Caroline's Rub - Fine Spice
Creations where he is in charge of product promotion and
development and where he serves as the executive chef.