Our Utah mountain weather has had us barbequing one day and turning up the heat in our homes on another. Nevertheless, the weatherman has promised 80 degree weather this week and we believe him! So along with planting some perennials around the place, we are getting ready for bar-be-que season by cleaning up our grill.

If we want to keep our gas grills in good working order a little preventative maintenance is a good thing. According to several different websites, here are some of the things we should be doing.

Every Time We Use Our Grill

•  Preheat your grill completely every time you turn it on. This cleans and disinfects your gas grill.
•  Brush cooking grates to remove residue and give your cook a clean surface
•  Turn up the heat on your grill to maximum after removing the last of the cooked food. Doing this will burn off all drippings and grease in your grill
•  Cover your grill as soon as it has COOLED DOWN to keep it clean and ready for your next cook-out

Every 10 Cookouts:

•  Remove the cooking grates and clean them on both sides.
•  While the grates are out clean off those metal things (barrier) above the burners and below the grates.
•  Brush out the inside of the grill into the drip pan blow.
•  Clean out or replace the grease drip pan.
•  Put everything back and fire up the grill letting it heat up for about 10 minutes or until there is no (or at least not very much) smoke coming out of the grill.

Once a Year

•  After your barbeque season is over, and let's face it, it is NEVER over for some chefs, it is suggested that we do the following. It is also recommended that if we are fortunate enough to grill all year long, we do the following 2x a year.
•  Remove the cooking grates and soak them in hot, soapy water.
•  Remove the barrier and do the same to them.
•  Thoroughly brush out the interior of the grill. Leave the greasy accumulation as a protective layer on the metal.
•  With everything out of the way fire up the grill just long enough to look at how the flame is coming from the burners.
•  If the flames are uneven you need to clean out the burners. To do this remove the affected burners from the grill and with a pipe cleaner or small wire push through the ports (holes along the side). Then gently tap the burners, open end down, on the ground to displace any debris from inside the burner. Once cleaned out replace the burners and fire it up again. If the flame is even continue, if not, repeat this step.
•  Clean out or replace the grease drip pan.
•  While the grates and barrier are soaking, close up the grill and give the exterior a wash, much like you would your car (if you have one).
•  Wash off the grates and barrier and put your grill back together.
•  Fire up the grill and allow it to heat up, drying all the internal parts.
•  If you really are packing your grill away for the season, close and disconnect the gas supply. Remove the propane tank from the grill and place it in a safe, but ventilated area. Cover the grill and put it in a sheltered location.