For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live. John 3:16 (NIV)

When you purchase an expensive barbecue grill, it's like an investment. You expect it to last for years to come and provide you with perfectly cooked food whenever you want it. But, keeping your barbecue working at optimal performance and looking its best is going to take a little work on your behalf. So, whether you have a gas, electric, charcoal or smoke barbecue grill, get ready to learn some easy tips on how to take care and repair it right at home.

You're going to need some tools to clean your barbecue grill, so check to see that you have these essential items on hand:

Brass wire grill brush
Soap-embedded, fine steel wool pads
Mild dish soap
Sponge or dishcloth
Spray cooking oil
Dry baking soda
Aluminum foil
Newspaper

These items will enable you to keep your charcoal, electric, gas or smoke barbecue grill looking as fantastic as the day you first brought it home. The first step to keeping your grill clean and sanitary is brushing off the grill surfaces. All barbecue grills will need this done on a regular basis, so don't neglect this crucial step. You will find that there are a variety of brushes available for this purpose, so make sure to choose the one best suited for the type of surface your barbecue grill is made of. If you have a cast iron surface, use a stainless steel brush, if you have a porcelain-coated barbecue grill, a brass-bristle brush is best. So, choose your brush wisely and your grill will reap the benefits. Also, check your grease pan every now and then for a buildup of debris. Clean it out if needed so your barbecue grill remains hygienic and safe.

Once your barbecue grill surface is clean, it's time to spray it with cooking oil. Make absolutely positively sure that the grill is cold so the oil doesn't ignite. Only a cold charcoal, electric, gas or smoke barbecue grill will benefit from a light coating of cooking oil. It will help to prevent your grill from rusting and prepare the surface for the next time you decide to fire up the barbecue!

The burner assemblies are additional parts on your barbecue grill that must be cleaned periodically as well. So, that means your gas valves, metal conduits and burners need your attention from time to time or debris, bugs and spiders will think of them as their permanent home.

A different idea for cleaning your electric, gas, charcoal or smoke barbecue grill involves the use of something you probably already have lying around the house. Standard baking soda is a great natural cleaning agent and will help to restore your grill to its usual splendor. Just sprinkle a bit of the baking soda onto a dry brush and scrub the grill. Rinse clean and do the same thing on knobs and trays.

Aluminum foil has yet another use, but I bet you didn't think it was for cleaning your barbecue grill, did you? Well, think again because all you have to do is roll it up and gently rub it back and forth on your grill. It cleans wonderfully and is an inexpensive way to aid in the upkeep of your grill.

Probably the most unorthodox way to remove that greasy residue from your smoke, charcoal, electric or gas barbecue grill is with newspaper. Once you've finished grilling, all you have to do is soak a newspaper in water and leave it on top of your lukewarm grill rack with the lid down. Wait about 45 minutes to an hour and then use the paper to wipe off all of that hard to remove grease and grime.

The use of dish soap is common and very effective for cleaning all types of barbecue grills, so don't rule out this method. Just place your grill and racks out in your yard and spray it down with water. Gently scrub your grill with a steel pad and rinse again.

All of these cleaning methods are great ideas for taking care of your grill, but to really make sure it looks model-perfect for as long as possible, invest in a cover. You spent a lot of money on your barbecue grill, so buy a cover and protect it from elements like rain, wind and dust.

Now that your gas, electric, smoke or charcoal barbecue is shiny and clean, it's time to check it out and address any issues you've been having with it. But, before you toss it in the garbage or haul it off to the repair man, check to see if you can repair it yourself. Who knows, you just might save yourself some money and you'll feel good about your handyman skills as well.

The first repair you'll want to look at is the burner. Make sure the gas is disconnected and your grill is cold before beginning. When these steps have been taken, remove the grill, lava rock and bottom grill until you find the burner. If it's rusty looking, take it out and replace it with a new one from your local hardware store. A professional would charge you a lot more to replace your burner, so skip that unnecessary step and do it yourself!

Many minor problems that arise in gas, electric, smoke or charcoal barbecue grills are a direct result of their upkeep. So, if your grill is making a weird noise, not lighting up as fast or just isn't acting like itself, the best way to "repair" it is to clean it! You may think that whatever is wrong is internal but it just could be that a buildup of grime, grease and other debris is hindering its performance. Taking care of your grill and repairing it won't be hard or time consuming if you baby it from the moment its wheels first meet your backyard. Buy a cover for it and clean if off after every use, it's that simple. So, try some of the methods explained in this article and your barbecue grill should be up, running and sparkling clean in no time.

For more great information go to My Barbecue Grill.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Web recipes-on-the-net.com

5 Important Summer Grilling Safety Tips by M. Stein
Barbeque and Grilling Tips - Learn to Eliminate Outdoor Cooking Mistakes that Kill Your Cookout by Billy Bristol
Barbecue Cleaning Made Simple by Steven Aucoin
Barbecue Cooking Tips - Indirect Heat Grilling For Perfectly Done Outdoor Roasts by Josh Dusick
Barbecue Grills - Easy Tips to Maintain it For a Lifetime by Anne Noonan
Barbeque Safety Tips - Don't Start Cooking Without These by Billy Bristol
Barbecue Skills Masterclass - Using Direct and Indirect Heat Properly by Richard C Myers
Burned On The Barbee by Bob Alexander
Charcoal Grilling Cooking Tips - How To Start Your Charcoal Easier With Charcoal Starters by Josh Dusick
Cooking - Tips For Better Barbequing by Michael Russell
Five Tips For Safe Grilling Using Propane by Johny Young Lee
Five Tips to Improve Your Grill Cooking by Josh Dusick
Gas Grills - 9 How Tos for Safety and Maintenance by Harold Wagner
Gas Grill Tips and Tricks by Thom Richards
Grilling Secrets for the Perfectly Grilled Steak by Mike Sullivan
Grilling Tips - I Want My Steak Medium Rare, But How Long Do I Grill It? by Brad Vitosh
Hibachi Grills - What You Should Know Before Buying by Mark L Dale
How to Barbecue Better Using Cooking Grates by Jonathan Goodman
How to Choose a Barbecue by Michael Sheridan
How to Grill a Perfect Steak by Mary Ann Allen
How to Have a Better BBQ With Briquettes by Jonathan Goodman
How to Have the Best Tasting BBQ With Grill Rotisserie by Jonathan Goodman
Infrared Barbecues Are the Future of Grilling by Anne Clarke
Insider's Guide to Successful Barbecue Cooking on a Gas Grill - Part One, Methods by Richard C Myers
Insider's Guide to Successful Barbecue Cooking on a Gas Grill - Part Two, Maintenance and Safety by Richard C Myers
Meat Smoking and Grilling With Flavored Smoke Woods by Ron Goodwin
Skewers- Outdoor Grilling Accessories by Anne Clarke
Taste the Difference! A Cedar Plank - One of the Ultimate Barbecue Accessories! by Shannon Medley
Ten Tips for a Better Barbequing Experience by Sherry Frewerd
Ten Tips For Perfect Grilled Dinners by Julie Languille
The Cooking Tips For Gas Grills That Every Griller Needs to Know by Todd Mohr
The Top Five BBQ Tools of the Trade by Gert Van As
Tips and Tricks For Safe BBQs by Gert Van As
Tips For Cooking With Real Firewood by Josh Dusick
Use BBQ Wood Chips to Intensify Your Grilling by Ashley King
Using a Smoker Box on Your Grill by Ray Shank
When to Use High Heat on Your Barbeque by Richard Cussons

< Back to Barbecue Tips