Fall is finally here. Autumn brings us many great things like cooler weather, beautiful leaves, and most importantly, football. While it may be time to pack away your swimsuits and beach chairs, don’t rush to put away your grill just yet. If you’re like most, you turn your house into football game day headquarters during the fall months. And what’s a good football game without some outdoor cooking?
Fall is the Prime Time to Grill
According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, 76% of consumers polled in a survey said that fall is the prime time for outdoor grilling because of the cooler weather. Despite daylight-saving time making days shorter and nights longer, about 75% of consumers indicated that they intend to use their grills well past Labor Day.
Why is Grilling so Popular?
Outdooring grilling is a favorite activity that people love for a number of reasons. Aside from the obvious of grilling tasty foods like burgers, hot dogs and steaks, and adding more flavor to foods, grilling is a simple and fun way of bringing your friends and family together. While grilling certainly makes for a great activity, especially during football season, it’s important to take good care of your grill to ensure it performs at its best year-round. A well-maintained grill will not only keep your food safe but bring out the best flavors in your favorite foods.
Make sure your grill is ready to fire up this fall with these tips:
- For safety precautions, set up you grill in an open, well-ventilated space at least 10 feet from your house. Make sure it is away from overhead surfaces, dry leaves and other objects.
- Place a grill pad under your grill before you start cooking. This will protect your deck or patio from any drips of grease that may miss the drip pan.
- After each use, clear away grease and ash by removing the bottom tray from under the grill and removing the excess grease.
- Keep the grate clean and brushed. Turn the grill on pre-heat and once it is hot, use a stainless steel bristle brush to remove any ash and debris. For a deep clean, remove the grates when the grill is cool and using dishwashing liquid scrub it with a wire brush.
- Don’t forget to clean the outside of your grill. You can use a paper towel and cleaner and carefully wipe away about dust or debris.
- To ensure your grill is protected when not in use, cover your grill with an island grill cover. This will prevent leaves, rain or snow from covering your grill which can cause damage. It also keeps bugs and outside animals away from it.
