Becoming a home grill master takes more effort than just buying a grill, gathering your neighbors, and lighting it up every weekend. General grill maintenance is essential if you want to keep your appliance in like new condition for years to come. If you don't maintain your new grill, your investment could go up in flames. Unclean rust can ultimately become a fire hazard. The charred residue left after cooking also contains amino acids and chemicals that can be harmful to your food if consumed.
Knowing the warning signs will help you know when your grill needs repairs. Some red flags when grilling include grill failure, uneven flames, broken gas controls, gas leaks, uneven heating, and excessive smoke. This list of potential grilling problems is intimidating for both novice grills and seasoned professionals. It's best to fix any problems with your grill right away to avoid unnecessary anxiety. Some people seek help from professional Palm Beach grill repair services to make the necessary repairs. Others take on the task of maintaining their grill themselves. If you're looking to roll up your sleeves and tackle a DIY barbecue repair project to prepare for the barbecuing season ahead, check out five insider tips to help you with even the toughest of repairs.
Clean thoroughly at least once a year
You should keep your grill relatively clean while you are using it. Use a wire brush to scrape off any leftover food daily to clean your hob. After cooking, run your grill on as hot as possible to burn off any remaining food or fat. In addition to daily maintenance, you should clean the grill thoroughly at least once a year to make sure everything is working efficiently. Remove the grids to scrub later and set the stones aside. Also, examine the igniters and burners before scraping off the rest of the remaining dirt.
Install the drip guard and clean it regularly
If you want to find a way to keep drops of fat and meat from building up at the bottom of your grill, install a universal drip guard. You can buy a security guard at almost any hardware store. The V-shape of the guard catches grease and prevents it from covering the rest of your grill with the residue.
Replace your ignition system
Replacing the ignition system in your grill can be a daunting task. Unfortunately, the piezoelectric ignition that is typically installed in many new grills doesn't last long. For this reason, if you frequently toss matches at your barbecue grill to light it, keep this DIY project in your back pocket. A new ignition assembly can be purchased from many hardware stores and is relatively inexpensive.
Check the grill burners
Similar to the ignition system of a grill, you should also check that the grill burners are in good working order. When the burners glow quickly and burn steadily, you know they are ready to use. Before the barbecuing season starts, remove all burners and scrub them thoroughly with pipe cleaners and wire brushes. If your grill burners are defective, you can easily replace them with new ones at the hardware store.
Give your grill a new coat of paint
You can make an old grill look new again with something as simple as painting. The outer shell can show extreme wear and tear, especially if you have owned the grill for several years. Start by degreasing the outside of the grill with a pressure washer. Then you can start sanding the outside before finally adding fresh paint.
Grill Master 101
After you have spiced up your grill and given the finishing touches, you can claim your grill master title in no time. Remember, don't let your garden barbecue plans go up in smoke. Prepare your grill for the task at hand to avoid acidic summer parties.
