The Ultimate Guide To Grill Maintenance

As winter comes to an end, we are beginning to approach the best season of the year! Yes, you guessed it, grilling season is upon us! To get the most out of your meals, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to help you prepare your grill, and maintain it throughout the summer.

Psst..if you need some inspiration for the BBQ this summer, check out our recipes!

 

Start With A Thorough Cleaning

Before the grilling season starts, get ready to roll up your sleeves and show your grill some love with an extensive cleaning.

Start with your grill burners. Remove the cooking grids and sear plates and then detach the burners. Clear any blockages through the burner slots and brush the tops of the burners. Once the burners are cleaned, check all of the burner ports to ensure that they are open.

Next, use a spatula to scrape grease from the inside of the base, all the way down towards the drip pan. Remove the drip pan and use hot water mixed with soap. Finish, and replace the tin foil grease catcher.

Sear plates and cooking grids should be washed with hot soapy water to remove any discoloration or grease splatters. Once everything is dry, Use a soft cloth and, following the grain of the stainless steel, rub in some stainless steel protector.

Lastly, be sure to pull out the grease trap and dump out anything left from the previous year. For an easier clean-up next year, line your grease trap with some sturdy aluminum foil.

 

Inspect All Hoses and Feed Tubes

Once your cleaning is done, visually inspect all hoses and feed tubes on your grill. It is essential for a grill that has been sitting for many months without being used to have its hoses inspected before the grill is ignited. Taking this step is essential as hoses can catch fire if not inspected properly.

Begin by checking the hose from your propane to your burners, and make sure it’s intact and clean. If there’s any build-up on the hose, be sure to clean it off before starting your grill. Immediately replace your hose if it has any holes or tares.

Look for any scratching and punctures on your feed tubes. If anything is damaged, have it replaced right away.

 

Test Your Burners

Before you get to cooking, turn on your grill, light it up, and let it burn for a few minutes. Watch to make sure all the burners are firing and there are no leaks.

A leak test should be performed any time your grill has been in storage for a long period of time, or when you are changing any components on your grill. Follow these steps to perform a leak test:

 

  1. Make sure all grill burner knobs are in the OFF position and the propane tank is turned to OFF before testing. Testing should always be done outdoors, in a well-ventilated area and away from any ignition sources.

 

  1. Mix a 50/50 solution of water and liquid dish detergent. Put the mix in a spray bottle.

 

  1. Then turn the propane tank valve ON to pressurize your system.

 

  1. Spray the soapy solution onto the gas valve, hose, and regulator. Stand back and visually inspect all the places where the solution was applied. Soap bubbles will instantly form and grow if there’s a gas leak in any of the components. No bubbles means that there are no leaks. If bubbles DO form or you smell gas, turn the propane tank off immediately and contact an LP gas cylinder supplier.

A clean, well maintained grill makes delicious food! Here’s a few hot tips to help you keep that grill in tip top shape throughout the summer!

 

Summer Grill Maintenance

Every cookout:

 

  • Preheat your grill completely every time you turn it on. This cleans and disinfects your gas grill.

 

  • Brush cooking grates to remove residue and give yourself a clean cooking surface.

 

  • Turn up the heat on your grill to maximum after you remove the last of the food. This burns off all the drippings and grease in your grill.

 

  • Cover your grill as soon as it has cooled down. Protecting your grill from outside elements keeps it from rusting and becoming dirtier than it needs to be.

Every 10 cookouts:

 

  • Clean cooking grates and barriers above the burners and below the grates.

 

  • Brush out the inside of the grill into the drip pan below. Clean out or replace the grease drip pan.

 

  • Put everything back and fire up the grill, letting it heat up for about 10 minutes or until there is little to no smoke coming out of the grill.

You are now ready to get grilling! Try out one of our delicious  lamb recipes to start your summer off right!

5 Recipes That Taste Like Summer

Being stuck at home during a long and chilly winter season will make just about anyone start to crave a warmer climate. We could all use a little bit of sunshine on our plate to remind us that winter doesn’t last forever!

To remind you of those blissful, BBQ smoke-filled summer days, we’ve gathered up 5 recipes that taste like summer! Put a little sunshine on your plates and create a wonderful warm escape with these must-try lamb recipes. Brush the snow off that grill (or pull out your smaller, indoor version) and get cookin’!

 

BBQ Lamb with Mediterranean Compound Butter

There really is no easier way to get started on creating a perfect summer meal than our BBQ Lamb with Mediterranean Compound Butter! This recipe will be your go-to for simple and delicious roasted BBQ lamb chops or steaks. The only seasoning required on the lamb chops is some oil, salt, and pepper.

Our Mediterranean Compound Butter will be jam-packed with all the flavor to give you a barbeque you will never forget. Simply stir unsalted butter, at room temperature, finely chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh basil, chopped capers, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, minced clove garlic, lemon zest, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.

From here, you’re going to want to refrigerate for about 1 hour or until firm. Alternatively, you can freeze for 15 minutes. Feel free to make this compound butter ahead of time as it can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 1 month!

Tips to get the most out of this recipe:

 

  • For medium doneness, cook lamb to an internal temperature of 160F (71C) or 165F (74C) for medium-well
  • Add any remaining butter to sauces, sandwiches, or pasta

Get the full recipe here.

 

Grilled Mojo Lamb Steaks with Avocado Salsa

 

Your March just got juicer! These Grilled Mojo Lamb Steaks are a version of the signature marinade of Cuba. It pairs beautifully with lamb as they keep the steaks juicy when grilled.

To create your flavor-packed juicy lamb steaks, whisk orange juice, lime juice, chopped fresh cilantro, minced clove garlic, a minced jalapeno pepper, packed brown sugar, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and pepper together. Let your lamb steaks marinate in this for at least 4 hours.

While you wait, you can get started on your avocado salsa. You will only need 1 avocado, some chopped red onion, lime juice, chopped cilantro, cumin, and a pinch of salt and pepper. After you grill your steaks, serve this yummy avocado salsa with your savory and juicy steaks!

Get the full recipe here.

 

Smoked Paprika and Lemon Lamb Loin Chops

 

Simple, smoky, and spicy is the perfect seasoning for BBQ or grilled lamb on a summer day! Our Smoked Paprika and Lemon Lamb Loin Chops recipe offers a thick and juicy cut, while leg steaks and lamb sirloin would also be equally delicious and work well with our paprika and lemon rub. The best part You don’t need to be a barbecue expert to make this simple and tasty recipe.

In a small bowl blend garlic, paprika, zest, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add olive oil and stir to a thick paste. From here, you’re going to want to divide the paste evenly between chops and rub over the entire chop. Allow the meat to rest for 15 minutes. Then, heat the BBQ or grill pan to medium-high. Finally, begin cooking each chop for about 4 minutes per side for a medium-rare chop or keep grilling until you reach your desired doneness!

Get the full recipe here.

 

Western Style BBQ Lamb Steaks

 

The fresh bbq sauce in this Western Style BBQ Lamb Steaks recipe contains a bit more acidity which complements the juicy smokiness of the barbecued lamb particularly well. Whether you prefer leg steaks, lamb sirloin, or chops; grill to desired doneness and serve with baked potatoes, corn, and beans for a western summer feast.

To create this western-style bbq sauce, you will need homemade or canned plain tomato sauce, minced garlic cloves, molasses, chili powder, cumin, Dijon mustard, canola oil, and ground chipotle pepper or red pepper flakes. Make sure to set aside 1/3 of the sauce to serve with steaks once cooked! This will prevent any cross contamination between the basting sauce and the steaks as they cook.

Get the full recipe here.

 

Chipotle Braised Lamb Tacos with Lime Sour Cream

 

These Chipotle Braised Lamb Tacos are the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Served with a lime- spiked sour cream, they make a great meal that hits all the right spots during a lovely summer day spent outside!

Start off by seasoning your lamb with salt and pepper. Add onion, garlic, and cumin to pan; saute for 3 to 5 minutes or until onion is softened.  Then, add broth, barbecue sauce, honey, and chipotle peppers; bring to boil. For less-spicy tacos, use only 1 chipotle pepper. While your lamb is cooking in the oven, start on the Lime Sour Cream.

Stir sour cream, lime zest, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper together. After your lamb is done cooking, divide shredded lamb evenly among tortillas. Top with Lime Sour Cream, radishes, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges,  grilled corn, rice, and beans, or coleslaw to take this meal to the next level.

Get the full recipe here.

Can’t get enough of these amazing summer lamb recipes Check out our other recipes here