Grilling 101: Grill Maintenance

Here’s how you can keep your grill in peak condition.

Recommended Items:

• Aluminum Foil
• Cooking Oil
• Grill Brush
• Paper Towels
• Dish Soap
• Cleaning Rags or Sponge
• Baking Soda

Seasoning a New Grill

Whether you are refreshing an old grill after the winter or seasoning a new grill, the methods are similar.

• Build a large/hot fire in the bottom of your grill
• Wrap your grill grate with foil. (Remember to punch a few vents along the edges.)
• Place the grill grate over the fire and allow it to cook for 15 minutes.
• Remove the foil and then use a grill brush to brush the burned residue from the surface. (This would include any manufacturing residue on a new grill grate.)
• After brushing thoroughly, wipe the grate down with a lightly oiled paper towel.

Pre-Grilling Care

Before your food touches the grill, prepare the grates properly.

• Before grilling, be sure to preheat the grill grate.
• Brush the grate to remove any residues from past cooking,
• Wipe the grill grate down with an oiled towel.

Post-Grilling Care

After your grilled items are cooked to perfection and enjoyed, it’s time for cleaning. Meat drippings and ash are notorious collectors of moisture that will cause your grill to rust out far before its time.

• Let the grill cook for an additional 15 minutes on high heat. (This will burn off any food or scraps left on the grill).
• Once the grill has cooled, clean the grill with warm, soapy water. Make sure grill parts are completely dry to avoid rust.
• Brush the grill with baking soda to help keep the grill looking its best. Baking soda is a great natural cleaner and polishing agent.
• If your grill is outside, make sure you protect your grill against the elements with an appropriate grill cover.