Gas Grills – Safety and Maintenance

How do I clean the outside of my grill?

Do not use abrasive cleaners to clean any painted, porcelain or stainless steel parts. Porcelain enamel components   handled with more care. The baked on enamel finish is glass like, and will chip if struck. Touch-up enamel is available from your dealer. Exterior grill surfaces cleaned while warm to the touch, with warm soapy water.

How do I clean the stainless steel parts of my grill?

According to the Specialty Steel Industry of North America, stainless steel needs to  cleaned for aesthetic considerations and to keep corrosion resistance. Stainless steel  protected from corrosion by a thin layer of chromium oxide. Oxygen from the atmosphere combines with the chromium in the stainless steel to form this passive chromium oxide film that protects from further corrosion. Any contamination of the surface by dirt, or other material, hinders this privation process and traps corrosive agents, reducing corrosion protection. Thus, some form of routine cleaning is necessary to keep the appearance and integrity of the surface.

Like any surface that exposed to the environment, stainless steel can get dirty. Dirt and soil can consist of accumulated dust and a variety of contaminates that come from many sources, ranging from the wind to everyday use. These contaminates will vary greatly in their effect on appearance and corrosive and ease of removal. Frequently, warm water with or without gentle detergent is enough. Next in order are mild non-scratching abrasive powders such as typical household cleaners. These can used with warm water, bristle brushes, sponges, or clean cloths.

Ordinary carbon steel brushes or steel wool should avoid as they may leave particles embedded on the surface which can lead to RUSTING. For more aggressive cleaning, a small amount of vinegar can  added to the scouring powder. Cleaning should always be followed by rinsing in clean hot water. When water has mineral solids, which leave water spots, it is advisable to wipe the surface completely with dry towels.

Fingerprints and Stains – Fingerprints and mild stains resulting from normal use are the most common surface contaminates. Fortunately, these usually affect only appearance and seldom have an effect on corrosion resistance. They are easy to remove by a variety of simple cleaning methods. Fingerprints are probably the most troublesome marks to remove from the surface of smooth polished or bright finished stainless steel. Fortunately, they can removed with a glass cleaner or by gentle rubbing with a paste of soda ash (sodium carbonate) and water applied with a soft rag. Once again, this should  followed by a thorough warm water rinse.
For more stubborn stains see the Specialty Steel Industry of North America’s website.

How do I clean the aluminum parts of my grill?

This is the beauty of cast aluminum…all you have to do is hose it down. About once a year, take some detergent soap that you would use to wash your automobile, and wash your aluminum grill. With die-cast grills, you can leave it outdoors all year round, regardless of the climate. (taken from outdoor-patio-furniture.info)

How do I clean spider webs out of my venture tubes?

If you notice that your grill is getting hard to light or that the flame isn’t as strong as it should , take the time to check and clean the ventures. 

In some areas of the country, spiders or small insects have been known to create “flashback” problems. The spiders spin webs, build nests, and lay eggs in the grill’s venture tube(s), obstructing the flow of gas to the burner. The backed-up gas can ignite in the venture behind the control panel. This is known as a flashback, and it can damage your grill and even cause personal injury.

Shut off, then disconnect the gas supply to your grill. Disconnect then tilt the burner down below your control panel. Run a long-handled pipe cleaning brush back and forth in the venture tubes as pictured below. Reconnect the venture tubes and gas supply.