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All Things 'Cue:
Our Best Barbecue Special Section
Barbecue Buddies' Backyard Menu
Barbecue Sauce
Brisket
Barbecue: Techniques for Grilling Chicken, Sauces, and Recipes
Fish & Seafood
Lowcountry Pig Pickin'
Ribs
Bubbas and Barbecue
Sweet-to-the-Bone Ribs, ASAP
Barbecue Spuds
A North Alabama Favorite: White BBQ Sauce
Barbecue Across the South
Pulled Pork
Burgers in the Backyard
Not Your Average Burger
What's for Supper? Burgers and Fries
Good-For-You Grilling
Fire Up The Grill
Grilling: An Affordable Luxury
Slide Show: Grilling Isn't Only For Guys
Grill Maintenance 101
A Pit Master's Equipment
Glossary of Ribs
A Pit Master's Equipment
Food Safety Tips
 
Barbecue Sides:
Potato Salad Like You've Never Had
Barbecue Spuds
Award-Winning Deviled Eggs
Beans Made Easy
Coleslaw for Everyone
Comforting Desserts
Fancy Fixin's For a Barbecue
French Fries & Onion Rings
Potato Salad, Plain and Simple
Sweet Tea & Fresh Lemonade
Tale of Two Stews
Potato Salad
Taste of the South: Squash Casserole
Catfish With all the Fixin's
Heaping Helpings of Mac and Cheese
Taste of the South: Deviled Eggs
Cooking 101: Golden Hushpuppies
 
Sweet Treats:
Sweet Peaches and Pound Cake - Oh My!
Strawberry Shortcake Dessert
Sweet on Lemon Pie
Downright Delicious Pound Cakes
Sweet Trifles With a Twist
Banana Pudding
25 Ideas for Strawberries
Easy-As-Pie Cobblers
Irresistible Ice-cream Sandwiches
A Slice That Impresses
Easy Icebox Pies
A Trick for Keeping Party Beverages Cold
 
 
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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