Longer days and warmer weather mean one thing, barbecue season has arrived! However, after a winter stored away, you need to give your trusty grill some TLC before you can enjoy the sweet, smoky-sizzle of a barbecue in the sunshine.
Not sure where to start? We reached out to barbecue experts Campingaz, to bring you the best advice for preparing your barbecue for the summer season. So, grab a pair of protective gloves, a barbecue cleaning brush, soft cloth and a large bowl of hot, soapy water, and let’s get ready to get those grills into serious searing shape.
1. Check for Bugs and Dust
Barbecues stored away over winter can make an attractive home for creepy crawlies. Even the smallest spider or build up of dust can stop gas from flowing to the burners correctly and prevent your barbecue from working properly, so it’s important to check for any potential blockages before you fire it up.
Bugs love to set up camp around the control knobs, inside the burners and inside the coupling nut of the regulator, so it’s a good idea to inspect these before you start up your grill. If you can see anything which may cause a potential blockage, you can use a vacuum cleaner hose to suck out any debris.
2. Turn Up the Heat
Once you’ve checked for any potential blockages, it’s time to clean the cooking surface and fire box. A really easy way to do this is the burning method. This involves running the barbecue at a very high heat with the lid closed in order to burn-off any remaining grease or food residue. Once everything has burned off, turn down the heat and brush the cooking grid thoroughly with a barbecue cleaning brush.
Campingaz barbecues, like the 3 and 4 Series Classic LS, feature the InstaClean® System which makes this step even easier. The hassle-free system allows you to easily dismantle your barbecue (once cool to the touch) in less than 60 seconds and pop the dirty parts into your dishwasher for fast and effective cleaning. The burning method can be a great way to pre-clean excess residue from the cooking grid before placing the dirty parts in the dishwasher. Just remember to let the barbecue cool fully before you attempt to remove the dirty sections!
If you’ve got a portable barbecue, like the versatile Campingaz Party Grill 600 which also comes equipped with a pan support, reversible cooking griddle and a large lid with thermometer for convection cooking, this method is equally effective. The Party Grill 600 features a water compartment which catches any grease that drips off the cooking surface and then you can simply discard the dirty water when you’re finished. As with the full sized barbecues, the cooking surfaces are dishwasher safe but can also be easily cleaned with a sponge and soapy water.
3. Make Your Barbecue Shine
As well as cleaning the interior of your barbecue, it’s important to give the exterior of your barbecue a little bit of attention too. Once your barbecue has cooled down, give the outside a wipe down with a soft cloth dipped in hot, soapy water to keep it looking its best. As a final step, dry it with a soft towel to reduce the risk of any rust forming.
It’s important to avoid using scourers or abrasive cloths that might damage the barbecue’s finish when cleaning the exterior and, if your barbecue is made from stainless steel, avoid using any chemicals that could damage the metal. You could even treat it with a stainless steel polish to keep it looking sleek and shiny!
Once you’ve followed all these steps, you’ll be ready to start cooking safely this summer! In need of some inspiration? Campingaz share lots of great recipes on their Instagram account, so be sure to follow @campingaz_uk for dishes that are guaranteed to impress this barbecue season!
Gear We Recommend
Looking for a new BBQ to set off this summer season? Here’s our top picks:
Campingaz Bistro 2 Portable Gas Stove: – Super simple, safe and easy to use, the Bistro is almost a pocket rocket with an automatic piezo ignition and pot support. A great option for first time campers. It runs on these handy refills.
Campingaz Elite Camping Chef Double Burner & Grill: – A family favourite for many reasons, this double burner and grill combination stove allows you to cook more things and once on two powerful and efficient burners. You’ll need a 904 or 907 gas canister for this.
Campingaz Party Grill 600 Stove: – Start the party with tasty food by cooking on the Party Grill 600. This ultimate stove provides you with a wide range of cooking options, efficient and adjustable power and an upright sturdy position to cook from. Again it runs on a 904 or 907 gas canister.
