Are your eyebrows in jeopardy every time you fire up your grillroom ? Whether you ’re the BBQ legend of the annual block party or simply the grillmaster of your beautiful backyard garden , you want to treat your equipment carefully and respectfully .
Grill owners in backyards everywhere unintentionally reduce the lifespan of their grillroom through common misapprehension that are easy avoidable . Knowing what not to do can keep your grillwork secure and primed for extremum performance season after season .
To amass our list of grill no - nos , we sieve through manufacturer recommendations , expert belief , and countless stories of grill blunders to identify the most damaging misstep . Each point on our leaning is backed by folks who have made mistakes , so you do n’t have to .
Don’t Pour Water on It To Cool It Down
Pouring water on a red-hot grillwork might seem like a quick way to cool it down , but it ’s a large no - no . The sudden temperature variety can cause caloric daze , think your metal component might warp or snap . It alsotriggers blister steamthat might really destroy the whole cookout vibration .
Instead , permit your grillwork to cool down down naturally . afford the lid and outlet to increase air flow . longanimity is key when chill down your grillwork — so spiel a round of golf of badminton or take a pickpocket in the poolwhile your grille cool off down on its own .
Avoid Leaving It Outdoors Unprotected
leave your grill queer to the elements is a formula for calamity . Rain , snow , and acute sunlightare the gateway to rust and previous decline in quality . Over clip , weather weather significantly shorten the lifespan of your beloved backyard cooking apparatus .
To protect your investment , employ a grill book binding that fits your model . This simple stair can keep atmospheric condition - related damage and keep your grillwork looking new longer . During off - time of year month , consider storing the grillwork in a shed or service department to safeguard it from serious weather conditions .
Never Use Harsh Chemicals To Clean It
Using coarse chemicals to clean your grillwork may seem like the easiest way to get rid of obstinate grime , but it can do more harm than good . belligerent cleanup agents strip away protective coatings and damage the finish of your grillroom . Anyresidual chemicals can contaminate your food .
For regular cleaning , opt for soft dish soap and warm water . Baking sal soda and vinegar are soft yet effective alternatives to tough , fake - on messes . After cleaning , rinsing and dry the grill thoroughly to prevent liquid ecstasy residue and piddle spot .
Don’t Use Metal Scrapers or Utensils on Porcelain-Coated Grates
metallic element scraper might seem like the perfect solvent for stubborn residue , but they are incompatible with porcelain components . alloy tools can easy chip or crack porcelain parts , which are delicate and high-priced to replace . A small slip can direct to a self-aggrandising , expensive problem .
Instead , clean porcelain parts with a nylon grillwork thicket or soft bristles . you may grab specific product designed to clean them without induce damage . Regular cleaning prevents buildup and reduce the need for that dreaded heavy scouring once - a - yr undertaking before summer . cover your porcelain grate carefully , and they ’ll reinforce you with years of safe serve .
Don’t Let Grease and Food Residues Accumulate
Allowing grease and food residues to establish up on your grillroom leads to a master of ceremonies of problems . life-threatening flair - ups aside , residue build - up cantransfer cancer - causing carcinogens to your food for thought . Plus , nobody desire last hebdomad ’s burger filth on today ’s veggie .
clean your grill on a regular basis after each use and perform a thick clean and jerk every few months can foreclose buildup . If you frequently grill smaller items , see using a grill basket to denigrate junk falling into the grill . This simple broil hack can keep your grillwork in top shape and make your food savor outstanding .
Never Paint It With Non-Heat-Resistant Paint
If your grill needs a touch - up , resist the urge to use regular paint . There are safe places to let your internal artist polish . Non - heat - resistant blusher emit harmful fumes when heated and will probably peel or bulla when submit to high temperature . This is a bad look for your grill and your wellness .
If repainting is necessary , usepaint specifically formulate for high - heating plant applicationsand grillwork exteriors . However , regular upkeep , cleaning , and care should reduce any need for repainting . If the grillwork is in spoilt shape , perhaps it ’s time to consider getting a new one .
Avoid Covering It Before It Cools Down
Covering a hot grill is like wrapping a cake overbold out of the oven — it just observe cook . When you encompass your grill while it ’s still warm , moisture gets immobilize , allowing rust or mold to form . When you let your grille cool completely before covering it , you ’re far less probable to deal with a mold colony infiltrating it .
If you do n’t have one already , shop around for a breathable cover that aid melt any residuary moisture . A well - vent cover version protects your grillwork without causing unintended damage .
Never Forget To Check and Maintain the Burners
burner are the spirit of your grille , so neglecting them is n’t wise . Uncared - for burner typically lead to uneven heating and potentially grave conditions . Your broil experience should n’t be blood-related to a game of roulette , where the only consistent consequence is frustration .
Don’t Ignore Rusting Components
Rusting on your grill is like having a termite problem in a wooden mansion — it wo n’t fix itself and only worsens with time . It dampen the geomorphological integrity of your grille , making it generally unsafe to use . If left unchecked , what begin as a minor issue can speedily escalate , require pricy repairs or even a full replacement .
Replacement is usually the safest optionfor ingredient showing all-inclusive rust . Choosing stainless blade or coated component can importantly decrease the likelihood of chronic rust fungus - related issue and extend the lifespan of your grille .
Don’t Fully Cover Your Grill Grates With Aluminum Foil
Covering your intact grillwork grate with aluminum hydrofoil might seem like a clever literary hack for gentle cleanup , but it can backfire . Full coverage restricts airflowand will leave your grill goodies raggedly cooked — a real modality spoiler at your backyard barbecue .
Perhaps even more prejudicious is that a in full foiled grate can trap accelerator pedal , specially in gas grills . That means grievous flare - ups could take place when you lift the chapeau . A grill field goal or matting is a safer option and keeps small items from fall through .
You Can’t Double Your Grill as a Fire Pit
Turning your grill into a fire pit is nothing more than a cutoff to worry . grille are n’t built to handle the acute heat of burning wood or fire logs , and doing so can seriously damage the grille ’s components and become a safety hazard .
Using your grill as a jury-rigged fire cavity can lead to ‘ caloric electric shock ‘ due to the rapid expansion of the metal from the intense passion of fire logs . This sudden change can crack the enamel coating , compromise the grille ’s unity and future operation . Stick to s’mores the safe room — over a right fire pit .
