Master the grill this summer with these expert barbecue tips
Before you fire up the barbie, here are a few expert tips to keep in mind
The anticipated barbecue season is here! But before you fire up that grill, there are a few basic tips to help the longevity of your barbecue and keep you safe.
Below are some helpful tips from Leanne Tilley, a technical grill consultant with Napoleon (for a demonstration of these tips, watch the video above).
First things first, do a circle check. Similar to how you’d check your car. Look for structural damage or cracks. Open the lid and take a look at your grill.
“Look at your burners; if there's any kind of deterioration, cracking, or corrosion, that's going to affect them,” explains Tilley.
She recommends taking out all the contents of the barbecue and cleaning them. Taking out the cook box is very important. This should be cleaned regularly to avoid a fire hazard.
Leanne Tilley, a technical grill consultant with Napoleon, recommends using dish soap and water to clean your barbecue (The Weather Network)
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To clean your barbecue, simply use dish soap and water—nothing too abrasive unless you find excessive rust. Tilley suggests using sandpaper for stainless steel cooking grids.
“Brush that rust off, and it brings them back!”
Cast-iron cooking grids will show signs of rust if they are not maintained.
“Cast iron seasoning is the utmost important step for the maintenance of those grids,” Tilley says.
Oil them up with a high-burning-point oil such as Crisco or lard.
“You're going to build that non-stick surface and also add some unique flavour to your food,” she adds.
Safety is, of course, a priority while using a barbecue. If you use a propane tank to grill, it's important to check for leaks in the line and connection points. Take a basting brush and dip it in soapy water. Rub the soap mixture onto the line and connectors. If you find excessive bubbles forming, this could mean there is a leak. The hose will need to be replaced before it can be used again.
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When there is no rain in the forecast, it's best to leave the barbecue cover off, according to Tilley. (The Weather Network)
To cover or not to cover? According to Tilley, you can do more harm than good by covering your grill. When there is no rain in the forecast, it's best to leave the cover off.
“You don't want to keep any moisture tapped into the grill, so let it breathe,” Tilley says.
During the winter months, leave it covered until spring.
It’s recommended to use these tips every second time you use your barbecue. Happy (and safe) grilling!
(Header image courtesy of howtogoto via Getty Images. Creative #: 2155596519)
