6 Tips for Storing Your Grill for Winter
When there’s a chill in the air and winter is around the corner, your grill needs to be tucked away safely to prevent it from rust and weather damage.
Failing to store your grill properly can cause damage – so you won’t be able to use it when the sun is shining, and a family BBQ is in the cards. It’s important to think about storing your grill for winter as soon as the weather starts to turn – the longer you leave it out, the more likely it is to get damaged.
1. Clean The Inside Completely
After your last BBQ on a sunny afternoon, think about giving your BBQ a good clean. When it comes to storing your grill, you’ll need to give the inside a good scrub to make sure it isn’t left dirty. This can lead to mold growing inside, or even insect infestations.
Start by brushing away any leftover food scraps and charred bits, then wash down the grill plates and fire bowl. A grill can be notoriously tough to scrub clean, so it’s best to tackle it a few times. On the first round, aim to get rid of all the food scraps with plenty of hot soapy water. Try using boiling water (but be careful) to strip off any baked-on grease.
2. Scrub With Soap And Steel Wool
The best way to make sure your grill is sparkling clean before you put
it into storage is to scrub it down thoroughly with a steel wool pad and soap.
The dirt that gets on a BBQ can be tough to shift, especially with so much
grease built up.
Once you’ve given it a good clean with a steel wool pad to get off all the burnt-on bits, it’s also important to dry it properly so there’s no chance of it going rusty. Once it’s completely dry, coat the metal parts of it in a protective oil. This prevents any moisture from getting in later, which can eventually lead to rust.
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3. Use a cover if storing outdoors
Investing in a good grill cover is a great idea for year-round protection. Not only does it mean your grill doesn’t get damaged in the colder months, it also protects it from sun damage in the summer, so you can be reassured your grill is good to go at any time.
A quality cover prevents all different kinds of moisture from getting in, as well as bugs, birds or rodents from nesting in your grill, too.
4. Clean The Outside Of The Grill
Wiping down the hood and the outer frame is also key to ensuring your grill will be good to go next summer. While you’ll be most focused on scrubbing those greasy grills, the outside of your BBQ becoming moldy or rusty in storage can be just as big of a problem.
There tends to be a few splashes and marks on the outside of the grill that you might have missed. Before you place your grill into storage, it’s a good opportunity to get those old stains wiped clean. The best way to clean down the outer parts of your grill is using soapy water and a cloth. Dry the grill thoroughly with a towel – this is super important as it will prevent rust or mold while it’s not in use.
5. Indoor Winter Storage
Storing your grill indoors is the best way to make sure your BBQ lasts for a long time. In a warm and dry place, it will be near impossible for it to go moldy or rusty, so it will be raring to go next summer.
When it comes to finding indoor storage for your grill, there’s one golden rule. The propane tank must always be left outdoors. It cannot be stored in your storage unit. Firstly, you’ll need to ensure it is turned off before you disconnect the hose and regulator from the grill.
Afterwards, it’s important to cover the ends with some plastic and to cover the end of the tank’s nozzle, to prevent any creepy crawlies from nesting there. Cold weather won’t do any harm to the propane tank at all – so you can leave it in the garage until next year without having to worry.
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6. Outdoor Winter Storage
If you do need to store your grill outside, then make sure you clean it first and invest in a good cover before finding the perfect spot. An area that’s shielded from wind and rain is vital to avoid rust.
Storing a grill in a shed or a summer house is a good option. No matter where you store your BBQ in the garden, always remember to disconnect the propane tank safely and keep this out of direct sunlight.
Propane tanks should never be stored in an enclosed space, for your safety. By following these top tips your BBQ will be in the best condition when summer rolls back round, ready for all the family garden parties and warm evenings with friends ahead.
If you want to keep your grill from the effects of the elements, consider keeping it in a storage unit. Using a local storage unit during the winter and autumn months could offer you peace of mind that your grill will be ready to fire up again once cookout season begins again.
Remember, you can’t store propane or flammable gas in a storage unit.
