Maintaining your grill properly is very important if you want to enjoy the American tradition of barbecuing. Outdoor barbecue grills are simple gadgets and, if properly cared for, they can give you years of barbecue fun.
Organizing Barbecues
When you decide to have a barbecue, you need to plan what foods you will be serving. In addition to deciding on the type of meat to grill, you must also consider which side dishes you want to prepare for the meal. Whether you are organizing a simple family barbecue in your backyard or a special barbecue party to celebrate some important event, advance planning is essential. There are many foods that can be served and your barbecue menu will differ depending on the preferences of your family, friends or guests, as well as on the occasion.
The most important element to consider when organizing a barbecue however is the weather. Because you will be eating outside, you obviously should plan to hold barbecues at a time of the year when the weather is most likely to be suitable. Pay attention to weather forecasts and try to set aside a backup date should the weather turn.
You need to start preparing food for the barbecue in advance. Make sure you begin to thaw meat at least 12 hours prior to the event then let it soak in the marinade (in your refrigerator) as you start to prepare the side dishes. Barbecue menus vary considerably. When you decide on the items you want to include in your menu, be sure to allow enough time for food preparation. This is important even if you are organizing a simple family barbecue of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs served with potato salad and coleslaw.
Barbecue Grill Maintenance
The only maintenance your grill needs is proper cleaning. You will need the following:
Wire grill brush
Steel wool pads (the kind that contain soap)
Dishwasher liquid (mild)
Sponge
Dry baking soda
Cooking oil spray (to spray on your clean grill before you use it)
Use a wire grill brush (preferably brass wire) to clean all surfaces of the grill after it cools down. Regular brushing will prevent buildup of food residue, which becomes extremely difficult to clean if left for a long time. After cleaning all grill surfaces, start brushing off the grit from the grill racks. Cleaning the racks in your grill is important because that is where you place the food to cook it. Once you have removed as much as burnt food from the surfaces and racks of your grill as possible, wash the racks with dishwasher soap. Use the steel wool pads if necessary and rinse well to remove all traces of soap before you use the grill again. You can also use dry baking soda to clean stubborn buildup from any part of the grill.
Never put off cleaning your barbecue grill. The only maintenance you need to do to get the most enjoyment out of your grill is to clean it properly after each use. Neglecting to do so could cause the grill to malfunction in the long run.
Lack of regular cleaning is the most common reason why barbecue grill problems occur. If you notice your grill is not performing as well as it used to when you first bought it, try cleaning it thoroughly as described above before you take it to be 'fixed'. In most cases, a simple cleaning will restore the grill to its original condition.
Finally, remember to protect your barbecue grill from the weather. You can purchase special grill covers in all shapes and sizes. After your barbecue, clean the grill and cover it tightly. Taking the trouble to plan your barbecues and being meticulous about cleaning and protecting the grill is all you need to do to enjoy years of successful barbecuing.
| Price : $79.99 | Post Date : Apr 11, 2012 15:48:16
