Every Thursday evening right through the winter, I waded through the snow on the back deck and fired up the propane grill. If I can only have one steak a week (it’s a cholesterol thing), I want it to be perfect and I much prefer my steaks grilled.
Of course, the weather has been so wretched that the grill is getting a little grungy. If you’re in the same boat, or if your grill has been idle since last year, here are some tips for getting it in shape.
We’ll also talk this week about freshening up your paintable patio furniture.
Gas grill maintenance
Start by gathering your cleaning materials. You’ll need grease-cutting dish soap or other mild detergent, a vinyl-bristle brush, a soft cloth, toothpicks or pipe cleaners, sandpaper, a nonmetal bottle brush, aluminum foil and the owner’s manual that came with the grill.
Following the instructions in the manual, disconnect the hollow burner tubes through which the gas flows and use the bottle brush to thoroughly clean the insides of the tubes. Grease blobs and spider webs can clog the small gas ports in the burner tubes. Clean them carefully with toothpicks.
Before replacing the burner tubes, clean the inside and outside of the grill housing with the vinyl brush. Use aluminum foil to keep water from getting inside gas orifices.
Areas with chipped paint on the grill or propane tank must be sanded, primed and repainted with heat-resistant paint. Paint only while the grill is cold and allow time for the paint to dry before turning on the grill.
Reattach the burner tubes and check your gas line, line connections and propane tank before restarting the grill. You can check the lines and connections by turning on the gas and brushing the connections with soapy water. Bubbles will form at the site of any leaks. Sometimes tightening a connection will stop a leak, but you might have to replace a hose or an O-ring.
Although propane tanks will last as long as the grill, dented or badly rusted tanks must be replaced immediately. Also, you’ll have to replace your tank if you have an older tank that’s not equipped with an overfill protection device. Propane retailers won’t refill tanks that don’t have the devices.
When you’re sure the grill is ready to turn on, burn some of the grease off the briquettes and cooking grids. Flip the briquettes so the greasy side faces the burner. Light the grill, close the lid and set the flame on high for 15 minutes.
After the grill cools, remove the grids and briquettes and scrub off any remaining grease with a vinyl brush and soapy water. Rinse, towel dry and put them back in place.
During the cooking season, flipping the briquettes over after every use will help keep down the accumulation of grease.
Painting patio furniture
The paint on metal patio furniture protects it from rust. When the paint wears out, deterioration begins. With wooden deck and patio furniture, paint keeps the wood from soaking up rain and rotting.
If the old paint surface of your metal or wood furniture is still sound, but you want to change the color, clean the furniture item thoroughly before painting. If the surface is glossy, sand it lightly with fine sandpaper to remove the surface gloss. Wash it down with a mild detergent such as dishwashing liquid and allow it to dry thoroughly.
If you paint with a small brush you’ll pay less than for the same amount of paint in aerosol cans, and there’s less waste involved. But most do-it-yourselfers find aerosol-can painting more convenient, especially for reaching nooks and crannies.
Whether painting with aerosol cans or with a brush, lay out tarps to catch stray paint. Avoid painting on a windy day or in direct sunlight. If you wait for temperatures at least in the 50s and humidity below 85 percent, your paint will dry faster.
Follow the application instructions on the paint can, including shaking the aerosol can as long as recommended. Remember that some special-effects paints, such as stone-texture paints, require less shaking than other types.
For spray painting, hold the can upright about 12 inches from the surface and sweep smoothly back and forth, overlapping the edges of areas you’ve painted. Practicing on a piece of scrap metal or wood before starting on the furniture will increase your confidence.
Adding a second coat after waiting 10 to 15 minutes for the first coat to dry gives a deeper, smoother finish.
