Preparing Grills: Tips to Get You Ready For This Summer

Summer reminds us of excessive heat, getting tired and relaxing by the pool, and the sudden summer breeze that calms us. During summer vacation we try to enjoy ourselves with various relaxing activities.

Grilling in the backyard is a very favorite summer memory for all of us. Relaxing by the pool or playing around with siblings, while elders in the family prepare the meat, is a very fond childhood memory for all of us. Now, for us adults who want to host these grillings in their own backyard may come to face some problems. We seek some of our most favorite grilling recipes for inspiration. 

Summer grilling is one of the best activities you can enjoy with your family. But, due to unpreparedness, you may face some problems. The grills are kept in the abyss for most of the year, only to be taken out during summer. If we do not prepare the grill fully, before delving into grilling, the experience may not be as comfortable as it sounds. This article provides you with a few tips so that you can prepare your grill for this summer.

Gas leaks

This is the first thing you need to check. It is very important for you and your family’s safety. Even a very tiny gas leak could cause a big disaster.

The leaks usually happen on the tubes. There are three methods to detect the leak and all of them require you detach the tube from the burner first, then let the gas flow with maximum pressure-

As we know natural gas has no smell or color. So it is very hard to detect it with our common senses. If the leak in the tube is big enough, you can feel it with your fingers, with the gas propelling out of the site of the leak.

Another method could be detected with the smell. Most gas companies now supply gases with a very smelling component named mercaptan, which is mixed with the gas. As a result, if there is a leak- you can smell the gas easily back to the source.

The last method is for tiny leaks. After letting the gas flow, you need to drown the pipe in a bowl full of water.  If there is any leak you will be able to detect bubbles of gas in the water.

You could fix the leak with mechanical duct tape. For more protection, you should take it to a professional for repair or buy a new one. You could check grill parts online while you learn the ropes.

Cleaning

The next part is obviously cleaning your grill. All the dust and other waste that has settled in your grill over the last year will need to be cleaned before you could start grilling.

First, you need to prepare your own cleaning solution, specially made for this purpose. Mix one part water and one part distilled vinegar to make your solution.

The next step would be to submerge the insides of your machine with this solution. This process will loosen all the meat juice and gunk attached to your grill. You can easily scrub them off.

The lid and the grill will need to be washed off separately. Some people advise heating it up and fry the onion on the grill, which helps loosen the gunk on the grill and later on wash it off. Washing the lid follows the same process as the interior.

The next process is a brush down. You have to vigorously brush down your grill for detailed cleaning. Make sure to get every last bit of the bristles out. This cleaning process varies from machine to machine. Normally, using soap water will work most of the time. Stainless grills need stainless washing solutions. Rotisserie grills require a lemon-water mix.

The tubes can get clogged up too. If you aren’t getting enough gas through the tubes at any time, you will have to assume there’s a clog in the tube or the burner. You can easily clean it out with objects like toothpicks, needles, or thin sticks.

Fuel

Gasoline is another central component of your grill. Most grills use flames from the fuels directly to cook meat. Sometimes the fuel is used to burn coals to give the meat that smoky flavor.

Most of the time there’s no fuel in the tank, or the fuel is polluted. For empty tanks, you should clean it or check for dry waste. For tanks half empty, dip a stick into the fuel to check the quality and the quantity. Your tank should be filled to the brim to get the most out of it.

Modern grills use natural gas infused flame to cook. They usually come in gas cylinders. Change your cylinder every season, before you start the grilling.

Flame color

Flame color is important for grilling. You want your flame to have a blue color with yellow tips on top. This is perfect for cooking your meat at the right temperature.

Sometimes the flame is colored bright yellow or orange-red. It is not good for grilling. If this happens you should recheck every component on your grill. Turn off the burner, re-attach the gas tube, check the control valve and slowly turn the machine on.

If this doesn’t work, then there’s a possibility that, over the years, the burner ports have gotten wider from use. In that case, these need to be replaced. Here are some good burner ports you can check out.

Oiling

This is an important final step towards preparing your grill. The grills usually catch grease or rust over time. This reduces the durability and efficiency of the machine.

Brushing up the insides of the grill machine with a bit of oil could help to overcome this problem. The oil offers a fine coating from exposure to rust. It also helps to easily scrape the gunk later on.

Grilling is a favorite summertime memory for all of us. The memory could easily be ruined if we do not prepare the grills properly. That is why proper care should be taken while preparing the grill.

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