Summer Ready: The Best Way to Clean Your BBQ after Winter

As the weather warms up and the first trace of spring is in the air, many of us get ready to pull our BBQs out of storage. Family BBQs and outdoor gatherings with friends and relatives are easy, low-stress events that let us make the most of these longer, warmer days. Yet if your BBQ has been in hibernation all through the cold season, there’s something you need to think about before the fun begins: cleaning your BBQ after winter.

Cleaning your BBQ may seem like a big job. You may even be a little worried about what you’ll find when you lift the lid. But when it’s over, you’ll be grateful you did it. Cleaning a BBQ after winter has many benefits: it removes crusted-on carcinogens, keeps pests and rust at bay and prevents bacteria from reaching your food, among other perks.

A BBQ is also one of the easiest, quickest, and most affordable cooking methods available. Food cooked on it is not only more delicious but also retains more nutrients than food cooked by other methods. Learning how to clean a BBQ after winter will help your whole family have a summer you can remember. 

How to Clean a BBQ after Winter

The first step to cleaning a BBQ after winter is observing the right safety precautions. Before you start cleaning, make sure the grill is completely cool to avoid any burns. For electric BBQs, unplug. For gas models, turn off the gas supply and disconnect the gas line or propane tank. Clean in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes. Read safety instructions and, if necessary, use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Can a BBQ stay outside in winter? Short answer: yes. While you should ideally store your BBQ indoors (but never your propane), that’s not always possible. A garden shed is your second-best option. If you need to keep your BBQ outside, keep it as sheltered from the elements as you possibly can. A heavy-duty, weatherproof cover keeps the rain off your grill and helps prevent rust from setting in. 

Here’s a brief step-by-step guide to how to clean a BBQ after winter:

• Make sure the BBQ is out of its winter storage location and in a safe, accessible place.
• Choose the right cleaning tools, such as degreasers, scourers and grill brushes.
• Inspect your BBQ thoroughly to make sure it’s in working order and for any signs of rust or corrosion.
• Warm up your BBQ in a well-ventilated area so you can more easily remove any built-up food debris or grease that has accumulated over the past year.
• Turn your BBQ off. To avoid burns, make sure it’s completely cool before you start to clean.
• Scrape off and throw away any ash, coals or food scraps.
• If your grill is dirty, soak the grates in warm, soapy water and scrub away any leftover residue with a brush. Rinse them off and let them dry.
• Take the drip tray out of the BBQ and clean it in warm, soapy water to remove any leftover residue.
• Look out for signs of rust and clogging on the burners and flame tamers, and clean them with a brush and soapy water as necessary.
• Clean the BBQ’s interior and exterior using a damp, soft cloth.
• Clean your utensils and tools. Remove the rust and caked-on grime with wire brushes or scouring pads. If there’s a lot of it, you may have to soak them for up to 24 hours.
• Reassemble your BBQ when all components are clean and dry and do a test run before you cook anything to make sure it’s functioning properly.

Common Issues to Keep an Eye Out For

While cleaning your BBQ keeps it in good working order, it’s definitely a job that requires a safety-focused approach. Some common issues and pitfalls to keep an eye out for include:

• Neglecting to preheat can make it harder to remove crusted-on debris.
• Not waiting for the BBQ to cool down afterwards can lead to burns.
• Using the wrong tools for your grill type can result in less effective cleaning.
• Forgetting the interior of the grill, which can collect a lot of grease and carbon.

There comes a time when no amount of cleaning or maintenance can save an old BBQ. If the distribution of the flames becomes uneven, the BBQ doesn’t consistently maintain a high enough temperature, there’s damage to irreplaceable parts, or constantly replacing parts is getting too expensive, it’s time to upgrade.

Tips for Getting Your BBQ Summer-Ready

Some methods for making sure your grill is ready to go this summer include:

• Inspect your grill for rust, corrosion or any pests that might have snuck in over the winter.
• Decide where you’ll set your BBQ up for the season, and if possible, choose a covered location with excellent ventilation.
• Before firing it up again, make sure the BBQ is as clean as possible and dry inside and out to avoid rust.
• Season your grill in advance to protect it from wear and tear, rust, and food sticking.
• Make sure you have enough of the right kind of fuel for your BBQ.

Enjoy This Summer with A BBQ From Home Fires

If you need a new BBQ to make the most of your summer, Home Fires can help. A trusted name in BBQs, fire pits, fireplaces and more for more than 40 years, we have high-quality Weber^® BBQs for everyone. From charcoal to premium to traveller and electric range, our Weber selection is versatile and high-quality and will prepare you for a sensational summer. We have BBQs, smokers, supplies and accessories, including seasoning, briquettes and cleaners.

If you’re looking for the right BBQ or smoker, contact the Home Fires team or visit our Minto or Casula locations to see our full range.