Maintenance Task:  Clean and secure barbeque grill for the winter (cold climates)

The following are the recommended maintenance tasks which should be performed at the end of each summer season:

1. Clean cooking grids:  Cooking grids can be made easier to clean by covering them with a layer of aluminum foil and heating them on the grill on high for 10 to 15 minutes.  The crusted on food will turn to a fine white powder that can be easily brushed away.

2. Clean the grill: Clean the grill inside and out with a wire brush.  For very dirty situations, you can use a paste of tri-sodium phosphate (washing soda).  NOTE: Wear gloves and eye protection, as washing soda is very corrosive.  The steps are: 1) wet down the grill; 2) apply washing soda paste; 3) close the grill and keep it cool while it soaks in for an hour or so; 4) rinse well; and 5) spray the surfaces with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in 1 quart of water to neutralize the alkaline condition from the washing soda.  For charcoal grills, one of the best ways to help your grill last longer is to always remove the ashes.  When ashes become wet they create lye, a caustic base, which destroys iron.  It is best to get in the habit of cleaning out ashes after each use, hosing down the grill, then spraying it with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of vinegar in a gallon of water, followed by letting it dry very well and then covering or storing to keep moisture out.

3. Clean burner (gas models): The burner is subject to great abuse from corrosive food acids, high temperatures, and moisture.  Burner life can be extended by periodic maintenance and cleaning.  To clean, use a wire brush to remove corrosion and residue.  Clean clogged gas holes with an opened paper clip (do not use a toothpick or other object that could break off inside).  Check burner assembly for corrosion or any openings that could allow excess air.  Replace corroded or damaged burners.

4. Secure the gas supply (gas models): For safety reasons, if you are not going to be using the grill for a while, tighten the gas valves and consider disconnecting the gas supply and plugging the bottle or supply line.  To check that there are no gas leaks, mix some dish soap and water, then brush it on the gas connections.  If there is a leak, it will cause bubbles to form in the soapy water.  Repair immediately as necessary.

5. Cover or move to shed or garage: To protect the grill from the elements over the winter, either cover it well or move to a covered area.  NEVER operate a barbeque grill in an enclosed area.

Extends useful life of your barbeque grill, and improves the safety of its operation and storage.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS from "Ask-a-Wizard":

QUESTION from Jeff Wellington on 6/17/2008
The hose from my lpg tank to the grill freezes up after it has been on for a few minutes. Someone told me the tank is too full. If it is, how do I safely reduce the level of gas? If this not the cause, what could it be?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 6/17/2008
Dear Jeff:

When propane comes out of the tank, it converts from a liquid to a gas, and it the process it absorbs energy (which makes the surrounding materials become cold).

If you have recently filled up your propane tank, then yes, it may be possible that your tank was over-filled, and the liquid propane moving through the regulator is what is causing the freezing. And you have two options for remedying this:

1) return the tank to where you had it filled, and let them safely fix the problem for you; or

2) you can carefully let the propane burn (although it will be at a very slow rate), until the liquid level in the tank falls below the vapor outlet.

Now on the other hand, it could be possible that a small amount of water has gotten into your regulator when it was not in use, and that this needs now to be cleared out.

And yet another possibility is that your tank is not matched for the grill that you are using it for. that is, if the tank is too small for the BTU rate of the grill, then the propane would come out of the tank too fast, and therefore lead to freezing up. But if this is a standard propane tank and a standard grill, then I would not think that this would be the problem.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
____________________