Get Ready for Your Date with a Really Hot Grill
Apr 14th, 2010 by Kathy
Unlike spring, summer, fall, and winter, cookout season has no official beginning. It all depends upon where you live, and what you consider suitable weather for cooking outdoors. Sometimes, even people in cold climates do it year-round; but, for most of the country, the period that is generally viewed as cookout season is quickly approaching.
Millions of people are looking forward to firing up their grills, and eating at their picnic tables. However, before they cook their first burgers, everyone should make sure that their grills, whether they are gas grills, charcoal grills, or electric grills, are in good operating condition.
Remember, a grill that is kept in a shed over the winter often has company, other than stored patio furniture. It may be visited by rodents and bugs that are looking for a place to hole up during the cold months; and, while they can cause some damage, the grill can also be adversely affected simply from standing idle for a long stretch.
So, if your grill has been in storage, see that it is in top working order before you use it. If it’s a gas grill, check the tubes that lead into the burner for blockages that may have been caused by spiders, insects, or grease; and if you find a clog, use a pipe cleaner to push it through to the main part of the burner, where you can remove it. Although a wire will work, too, it can also damage the tube if you’re not extremely careful. Examine hoses for brittleness, and make sure that there are no cracks, holes, leaks, or sharp bends in them.
Inspect gas cylinders for leaks as well, by applying soapy water to their hoses, and looking for bubbles; don’t count on being able to smell gas escaping. If you find a leak, turn off the gas tank and grill, wait for the leak to stop, and have the unit serviced by a professional. If the leak doesn’t stop, call the fire department. Likewise, if you smell gas while you are cooking, get away from the grill, and call the fire department.
Any gas cylinder that was manufactured after April 2002 will have an overfill protection device (OPD) that will shut off the gas flow before it reaches capacity, decreasing the potential for the release of propane gas if the cylinder heats up. The OPD will have a triangular hand wheel.
If your grill is in questionable shape, or needs costly repairs, it may be time to get a new one. Look for features such as stainless steel cooking grids, drip pans, lid thermometers, and rotary igniters. Of course, even a basic charcoal grill, or a simple fire ring, can work just fine. The important thing is to get a grill that will serve your purposes and suit your lifestyle.
By the way, if your grill has suffered any ill effects from being stored, you may want to get a grill or barbecue cover; or, perhaps, a new shed!
Yours Outdoors,
Kathy
