Barbecue grills are a pretty big investment. Full-size charcoal grills typically run around $90 and up while gas grills start in the $200 range on up to pushing above the $1000 mark.
When investing hard earned money into a grill, buyers want and expect to get many hours of enjoyment. It is certainly possible to buy a grill and use it many seasons, but it is critical to take care of a grill, unless you want to replace it every couple of years.
A Good Grill Will Hold Up Longer
Quality will cost more, so generally higher priced grills will weather better than the bargain models. There are exceptions though, so it is good idea to research and read reviews to see how various brands and models have done over time.
A good, long-lasting grill will be made out of solid metal like stainless steel (or at the higher end - cast aluminum). Grades vary in the stainless, and the 300 grade is a higher quality than the 400. There are now 200 grade stainless steel models on the market which appear to be holding up well, but those are new to the market.
Grill coatings can make a difference. A solid ceramic finish or a powder coated finish provide extra protection and also allow for more color options. Painted stainless steel, on the other hand, provides very little protection and is usually found paired with lower quality metal.
Carful on the Grill Assembly
Take care when putting together a grill of any type. Many grillers introduce future problems by getting in a big rush to put together grills and crank them up.
First, do read the directions. If you put parts together and then have to take them apart, you can compromise the fit and the size of assembly parts (and then water and food particles can gather in odd places). You want to get the right parts together in the correct order.
Use an easy touch when assembling a grill. Every ding, bang, and scratch can damage the finish. The finish on the grill is like your skin. You knick or scratch little places here and there, and you open the door for problems. Just as your finger may get infected if scratched, the grill may develop rust or other problems if the coating is damaged.
Another tip is to consider replacing the screws and washers sold with the unit with higher grade metals. It does not cost much to do so, and often low grade metal screws will rust and leave rust lines long before the actual body of the grill begins to do so.
Fired Up and Grilling
Many grills need to be seasoned. This involves rubbing the grates and other parts inside the grill with fat of some type. Many manuals recommend cooking oil; however, solid fat like Crisco actually does a better job. Just put on a very thin coat. Then run the grill around 400 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes.
Seasoning first burns off any impurities from the manufacturing process and also helps to begin a process where the grill seasons in and is less likely to stick or react to environment issues like moisture. In other words, it helps build a natural protective coating.
A Clean Grill is a Longer Lasting Grill
Grilling clean up is not a pleasant job, but if cleaning is done shortly after the grill cools down and on a regular basis, then it is easier than a kitchen clean up.
The main areas to hit on a regular basis are the grates, since that is where the food grills. You would not likely leave hamburger fat or barbecue sauce sitting around in you skillet for days, and it's not a great idea to leave it on your grates for days at a time. Doing so is just asking for bugs, mold and rust.
Use a grill brush when the grill is still slightly warm and particles should brush right off. Grill wipes can also be really convenient. Then, add a light coat of oil or thin coat of Crisco. This not only protects your grates, it also means it's more fun to crank up the grill the next time, since it is clean and ready to grill.
Other parts of grills should also be cleaned on a regular basis. Be sure to check the drip pan. That holds fat and is often out of sight. Fatting sitting in the heat will smell bad, so that is a good incentive to check the tray or bucket. Flame shields on a gas grill also need cleaning every few times a grill is used, and charcoal remnants should be dumped out once burned beyond use. They can hold moisture and rust the inside frame and also make it difficult to build a new fire by blocking air vents.
Also wipe down other parts and the outside of the grill unit with a grill cleaner. Stuck on food can degrade the finish. Plus a grill with splashes and splatters is not very attractive.
When cleaning a grill, be sure to dry all parts. Moisture encourages rust. If it's a hot day, let the grill sun dry well. If it's not that hot outside, use a towel and wipe off any excess water after cleaning.
Grill Protection from the Elements
If you have a garage, shed, or a porch, grills last longer if kept under cover. This stands to reason. Leave your bicycle outside all the time, and it is going to rust faster than if kept put away in a dry place.
A grill cover is also an excellent investment whether the grill is stored in a covered outdoor space or out in the open on a patio. This holds especially true for grills that are outside year round or even part of the year without overhead protection. A cover will run $40 or so but will add months and years to the life of the grill.
Use it or You May Have to Replace It Sooner
It may sound kind of strange, but grills that are used on a regular basis tend to hold up and last longer than those pulled out a few times a year. When you work out on a regular basis, your body stays in better shape. A grill is kind of the same.
Also, little issues are noticed on a frequently used grill and can be addressed. The dusty old grill pulled out on rare occasions may be looking pretty bad after being ignored for months. It may also have become a good nesting space for bees or a home to earwigs. If you're not using your grill, other critters may move it, and they often cause major damage. Also, it is gross to open up the grill and find it full of bugs.
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