Tune Up Your Gas Grill: Safe and Flavorful Grilling

The snow is melting, the sun is shining, and spring is finally here. As you put your shovels away and pull out your landscaping tools, remember that your lawn mower isn’t the only thing you need to tune up every spring. You can tune up your grill with a few simple tips and have it running like-new.

Gas Grills require the most cleaning since dripping and debris collect in the bottom of the grill.

1.Clean Out the Crud

The drip tray is often out of sight out of mind.  Think of it as a can of sterno just waiting for an ember to light it up.  Burned up debris and carbon collecting at the bottom of the grill is similar to charcoal also waiting for the chance burn.  Anyone who grills regularly on a gas grill has experienced a grease or grill fire.  It’s easy to prevent by routinely cleaning out the grease tray and debris from the bottom of the grill.

This debris tray is a fire waiting to happen, make sure you clean it out!

Get aggressive with the GrillGrate scraper or a paint scrapper.  Inside the hood, along the shelves that support the grates, and the bottom of the grill.

2. Check for Critters Especially Spiders, Check Flame Tents and Light the Burners

Do your flame tents look like this?

While you are cleaning out debris from your gasser also check for any nests or critters.  Once you’ve scrapped the inside of the grill and removed the debris. Light the burners and observe for any clogs or misfiring vents.  A gentle brushing on the burner tube will usually restore proper burning.

Replace flame tents if they are rusted and ready to deteriorate.  They can damage the burners if they fall onto the burner and they will cause hot spots when not shielding the flame properly. Inexpensive flame tents replacements are easy to find on Amazon.

3. Make It Sparkle Like New

Our new cleaning spray in action.

Just like a car, wash the grill’s exterior and detail the inside.  Use Simple Green or Krud Cutter to wipe down the outside of the grill to remove dirt and grime that accumulated while the grill was not in use.

Cleaning the inside of the grill is best done with a food-contact safe cleaner like our Grill & Grate Cleaner.  Safe to use on the GrillGrates and all grill surfaces it’s a natural degreaser.

We’ve got the perfect tools for the job to help you tune up your grill and maintain it in tip top shape:

You can find these and other cleaning tools, including our NEW Grill & Grate Cleaner Spray here.

4. Teach Your Old Grill New Tricks with GrillGrates

If you’re rolling your grill out to get it ready for spring and you’re looking at some sad, rusted old grates, maybe it’s time to tune up your grill with GrillGrates.

We taught this Traeger a new trick!

GrillGrates are great for replacing rusted, old or worn grates on gas grills like the Weber Genesis shown above. On a charcoal or ceramic grill, they  sit on top of the old grates for a new, clean cooking surface.

Got an old pellet grill that won’t get hot enough to sear a steak? GrillGrates are anodized aluminum for maximum heat conductivity. Take your pellet grill from “outdoor oven” to a steak searing sensation.

Once you’ve cleaned your grates, you’ll want to season them by rubbing your hot grates with either a sliced onion, or a clean towel with cooking oil on it. (The only type of oil we don’t recommend is EVOO).

Show your grill a little TLC this spring, you’ll be glad you did.

GrillGrate. Eat Well.

– Meagan