Before you get started grilling, make sure you coat the grill with a special product. This protective layer is really effective.
We were really looking forward to the barbecue season a bit longer this year, given the cold weather. After all, who doesn’t love a juicy piece of meat or cheese, seared to perfection on an outdoor grill?
Get your grill looking its best However, only a few of them look into how to best take care of their grill. If you don’t look after your grill properly, it won’t last as long and the food you cook on it won’t be as good.
If you want your food to be perfect, you’ve got to make sure your grill is in perfect condition. It’s not rocket science. Just make sure you’re consistent, whether you’re using gas or charcoal. There are a few things you can do before you start grilling.
Brush and burn the grates.
Place a pad under your grill to protect the tiles from splashing grease. Make sure you choose a spot that’s far enough away from the house, in a well-ventilated area and on level ground. Keep it away from dry leaves and other things that could catch fire.
It’s a good idea to make sure the grill is well preheated each time you turn it on. This will also help to keep it clean and sanitised. It’s a good idea to brush the grates thoroughly before grilling to remove any residue from previous feasting. Once you’ve taken out the last bit of food you’re preparing, turn up the heat to burn off any grease and stuck-on residue. This makes it easier to brush away the burnt residue.
Not only are those crunchy carbon deposits ugly, but they also provide a breeding ground for bacteria. If you don’t clean your grill regularly, the heat won’t be distributed evenly and it won’t reach its full operating temperature. On top of that, the tubes in gas grills can also fail early on.
It’s good to have a routine.
After every 10th prep or so, spend more time on maintenance. If you mainly grill fatty meats, you’d better do it after every 5th use to avoid flare-ups.
Soda paste can help.
Once a year, before the season starts, remove the grates and give them a quick dip in soapy water. You can also clean them in the same way you would clean oven grates from a regular stove. Just coat them with baking soda paste, which you can make by mixing baking soda with water, and leave it on.
Give the inside of the grill a good clean, but leave the grime inside to protect the metal from damage. Now, light the burners and check they’re working. If the flames aren’t even, just clean the burners with a wire. Rinse the drip tray, wash the outside of the grill and put everything back where it belongs. Then just light the grill and make sure everything’s working as it should.
