Tips to Winterize Your Grill

Clean Thoroughly

• One of the most important steps in winterizing your grill is cleaning its grates. You don’t want to set yourself up for the nasty surprise of cooked-on grease and food debris when you take your grill out for the first time the following spring. In addition, even if you store your grill in a garage or shed over the winter, the cold temperatures can harden the grease and food on the grates, making it more difficult to clean. Before putting your grill away for the winter, cook off any grease and debris by running your grill at its highest temperature for 15 to 20 minutes. Afterward, use a metal-bristle brush to scrub away the mess. If your grates are particularly dirty, soak them in hot water mixed with a capful of ammonia and allow them to sit for several hours.

Disconnect Gas Tank

• A gas grill requires additional steps to prepare it for winter storage, but storing the gas tank itself may be the most important. If you plan to leave the grill outdoors on your deck or patio, you can leave the tank connected but confirm the gas flow is turned off. If you’re planning to keep your grill in a garage or shed, confirm the gas flow is turned off, disconnect the tank and leave it outside away from dryer vents and other heating ductwork.

Wrap Gas Burner Unit

• When your gas grill is left unused for a prolonged period, it is not uncommon for spiders and other insects to enter its components and create webs or nests. If you try to light your grill with these obstructions inside its mechanisms the following spring, you may experience difficulty starting it, uneven cooking results or even a fire. In particular, you must protect the grill’s burner unit by wrapping it in plastic before storing it for the winter. Place plastic over the gas line, so insects cannot enter through its opening either.

Cover the Grill

• If you plan to keep your grill outdoors in the winter, it may be exposed to snow, rain, cold temperatures and other unfavorable weather conditions. A grill left unprotected from the elements may develop rust and other damage that can affect its performance. To keep your grill in top condition, place a protective cover over it before storing it for the winter. You can purchase a cover from your grill dealer or a home improvement store, and choose one that is large enough to cover your entire grill.