The outdoor cooking season should begin with an inspection and thorough cleaning to not only realize optimum performance from your grill, but also help extend its life.
Here are Napoleon’s tips for getting your barbecue ready for the season:
Clean the cooking grids and searing plates. Soak the cooking grids in warm, soapy water before thoroughly cleaning them to remove any built-up grease and charred food residue. Season them for the coming year and get ready for some incredible grilled flavours all summer long. While your searing grids are soaking, take out the heat shields (also giving them a thorough scape) to allow you to run your barbecue brush over the burners. This is also an opportune time to check your igniter and rear burner to ensure everything is in proper working order.
Clean the grease cup. The more you use your grill, the more you will have to clean or replace your grease cup. Prior to igniting the grill, remove the old cup and replace it with a new one.
Scrape off the grease tray. All the grease and food remnants from previous meals accumulate and char on the grease tray. While soap and water aren’t necessary for this task, a thorough scrape with a spatula or putty knife will effectively clean off all the bits.
Check for leaks. After completing your routine cleaning, it’s a good idea to conduct a thorough visual examination of all hoses and feed tubes on your grill. Be on the lookout for any signs of damage such as crimps, scratches or punctures. If you spot any of these issues, it’s crucial to replace the affected hoses promptly. A leak test should also be performed any time your grill has been in storage for an extended period or if you’ve made any changes to its components. To conduct the test, cover each hose with warm, soapy water and look for bubbles. If no bubbles appear, your grill is safe to use. However, if bubbles emerge, it signals a gas leak that requires immediate repair before operating the barbecue.
Check all ignition parts. With your grill now clean and safe, it’s important to assess its ignition system. If your grill uses battery ignition, it’s recommended to install fresh batteries. Inspect all electrode leads and ensure the tips are free from any greases or rust buildup. If needed, gently clean the electrode tips using fine grit sandpaper.
Get your basic barbecue tools. Ensure you have the necessary tools for effective grill cleaning. While cedar scrapers are trendy, don’t overlook the effectiveness of a quality grill cleaning brush or abrasive pad. Additionally, equip yourself with essential utensils like a reliable set of tongs and spatula. Investing in a temperature probe is also highly recommended for precise cooking control. Up your grill game. As the season begins, keep an eye out for the latest gadgets hitting the market. In addition to the essentials mentioned earlier, think about adding a rotisserie basket to your arsenal. It allows you to prepare pub-style favourites like wings and fries with less fat and oil. Alternatively, enhance the flavour of your gas-grilled dishes by using a charcoal and smoker tray to capture that authentic charcoal-fire taste.