The Grilling Season Is Upon Us!

With the warmer temperatures come the memories of  the smell of charcoal and grilling meat. Spring,summer, and even fall are great times for grilling.  Here are some guidelines for a solid start to a successful grilling season.

How do we prepare for the grilling season?

Grill in the grilling area

The first thing you want to do is make sure your patio or deck is still in good condition for holding those barbecues. Make sure any repairs are done and the area is clean. Not only will you appeal to your guests and family,but you will create a clean and safe workspace for your grilling.

Inspect the Grill

There are certain things we should check before firing up that grill. The next thing will be inspecting your grill. Now we are hard core charcoal grillers. We use it for the business as well as personal. If you didn’t before the winter,empty any ashes that may be left over from the fall. Next, make sure that you have no rust in the bottom of your grill. How devastating would that be to fire up the grill only to have the bottom rust out while grilling?! Check all grates and pans that you use. Make sure they have no rust or residue on them. Replace any parts of your grill that do show signs of rust and excessive wear and tear.

Cleaning the Grill

Once you have checked the grill thoroughly and replaced any broken parts your are ready to….clean!! Over the winter dust and grime can accumulate fast! Even if you have your grill and equipment covered all winter still clean everything off. Now do you need to spend money on expensive cleaners? Not really. Dish soap and warm water will do just fine. Use a scratch pad for excessive buildup. For those who want a green solution for those really stuck on parts try lemon juice and salt. Pat a little bit of  salt on the stuck particle and spritz with a little lemon juice. Let sit for a few minutes and then wipe off.

Making sure your grill racks are clean and in good condition is key to a successful barbecue. Using a cooking spray or lard helps keep them in good shape. Lard is especially important if you have cast iron grates. After each grill session make sure you use a grill brush to clean off any leftover particles. Doing this regularly can help you shorten the cleaning process next year!

So the grill is clean and ready to go,now what?

Checking the charcoal,lighter fluid,smoke chips, and any grill planks you may have left over. Make sure no critters have gotten into your fluid or charcoal. When in doubt toss it out. If you are like we are you’ll need to head to the store to stock up since you used it all last year!

Now with all that done you are ready to start grilling!! Roll that shiny clean grill into your refreshingly clean patio or deck and get cooking. Our next edition will feature tips on getting that cut of beef done to perfection. We’ll include types of cuts that are ideal for cooking along with suggestions for marinating and cooking times.