How To Prep Your Grill For Off-Season Storage

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Winter brings expectations of sugary confections and the cozy cups of hot chocolate we look forward to all year, but it also comes with the sad reality that grilling season is officially over. Although you should be cleaning your grill after every use, you want to be especially sure to give it a deep clean before covering it up for the season. This prevents any stuck-on food or grease from attracting pesky critters trying to grab a quick snack when nutrition is scarce.

After the grill is spic and span, focus on further thwarting pest infestation. Spiders in particular are attracted to propane, and they have a tendency to set themselves up in burner tubes and gas lines if they get a chance. If they start making a home inside your gas lines, you might have trouble getting your unit to heat appropriately next season. Or worse, it could create a flash fire when you attempt to crank up the flames in the spring.

To stop spiders and other insects from getting where they shouldn't be, wrap the burner tubes and gas line in plastic wrap like Reynolds Kitchens Quick Cut Plastic Wrap, or cover them with a plastic bag. You can also use aluminum foil to achieve this result, but it is more cost-efficient to use plastic. However, insects are far from the only creatures you want to prevent from nesting in your grill. For larger critters, employ different measures to keep next year's first grilling session from becoming a disaster.

Just as spiders residing in the various components of your grill can potentially result in calamity, rodents can also cause problems. Squirrels and mice tend to chew on anything within reach. If they decide your unit's gas line needs a trim, propane could leak out, and a rogue spark could possibly cause a fire.

Getting the grill clean will help deter rodents, but they may still want to get inside to escape from the harsh environment of winter. Moving it into a shed or garage can keep them from getting in, but that isn't an option for some folks. A quality grill cover will also hinder furry outsiders from making a home in the unit. You can even take a further step and spray a deterrent like Mighty Mint Gallon Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil in the surrounding area. Mice and squirrels don't appreciate the powerful odor, and it will likewise help discourage spiders from entering the area.

There is also another common grill-ruiner to watch out for — rust. After your grill is completely clean, oiling all the components in the unit before covering them up is essential to prevent degradation from rust. This has more to do with longevity than averting catastrophes, but regularly performing winter maintenance on your outdoor cooking equipment will forestall having to replace it before grilling up some unbeatable lobster tails next season.