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Grill Maintenance 101
Keep your outdoor grill in tip-top shape. All you need are a few inexpensive tools and a little bit of elbow grease.
By Ann E. Stratton / photography Van Chaplin

Grill Maintenance 101

  • To prevent food from sticking, lightly coat the grate with a high-smoking-temperature oil such as peanut oil before turning on the grill. Cooking spray works too.
  • Grills clean up best when slightly warm. After cooking, scrub the grate with a wire brush or a ball of heavy-duty aluminum foil held between tongs. Use brass wire brushes on stainless steel grates and stainless steel ones on cast iron.
  • When the grill is completely cool, wipe up spills with a damp paper towel. Grease and salt accelerate corrosion.
  • For charcoal grills, discard ashes after they have completely cooled. For gas grills, regularly clean or change the catch-pan liner.
  • Place a water-resistant cover over your grill after every use.



    GET FIRED UP

    When the temperature outdoors rises, a jar of barbecue sauce, a package of fresh chicken, and a backyard grill offer an enticing alternative to slaving over a hot stove. Cooking out is casual and simple, but don't let that fool you into taking your grill's upkeep lightly. Knowing how to properly clean and maintain a grill will ensure great barbecues for years to come.
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