With winter here, you may plan on storing your grill outside during the winter months ahead. Here are a few simple tips that will help ensure that your grill is ready to go once the weather warms up.
Tips for Winter Maintenance
Clean Your Grill
The first thing you will want to do is clean your grill. Don’t put your grill away with food debris sitting on your grates.
- Deep clean your grill grates. Coat them with a high heat oil. This will protect them from rusting over an extended period of time.
- If your grill has a grease cup, make sure you empty it before storing your grill.
- Go ahead and remove the ignition battery from your electric starter, if your grill has one, so as to prevent battery corrosion.
Ready Your Grill for Storage
Before storing your grill for the winter, you need to make sure that you have properly winterized your grill to protect it from any pests that might call it home.
- Clean any venturi and tube burner your grill might have. Wrap them in plastic to prevent insects from entering.
- Check your control knobs and coupling nut of your regulator for any unwanted pests. Look underneath all grates and drip pans as well.
- Inspect your grill for cracks, scratches or damaged parts. If any parts aren’t working, replace them now so you can get grilling when springtime rolls around.
- When you are ready to store your grill, select a properly sized grill cover to protect your grill from the elements and pests.
Store Your Grill Once your grill is clean, dry and covered, store it in a cool, dry place, preferably sheltered from rain and snow. Make sure that when storing a gas grill, you disconnect and remove the propane tank.
- Store your grill in a garage or storage shed, but leave the propane tank outside. The propane tank can withstand temperatures of -45°C.
- Pay your grill an occasional visit during the winter months—just to make sure no pests have made a winter home.
Every grill is different. Yours may require a few extra steps to prepare it for the winter season. The key to prolonging the life of your grill is to make sure that no matter the season, your grill is properly stored and maintained for the season to come.
