3 Things To Do After Buying a New Grill

Get your new grill ready with these three tips.

Summer is grilling season. Whether you’re upgrading your grill or you’re a first time buyer, there are a few things you can do to properly prepare your grill.

Follow these tips from Blain’s Farm & Fleet to get started with your charcoal grill or gas grill.

1. Read the Owner’s Manual

Before anything else, it’s important to get to know your grill. Read through the owner’s manual so you know how to start your grill and learn about all its different features. Your new grill may operate differently than your old grill.

With the manual, you can read through the safety guidelines and any assembly instructions. This is especially important with gas grills, as you’ll need to check for gas leaks.

Following the manual will help you maximize your grill’s performance while also keeping you safe.

2. Do a Leak Test

If you bought a gas grill, it’s important to check for any gas leaks once you attach the propane tank. You should do this not only for a new grill, but as part of regular gas grill maintenance.

If you suspect a leak, find the cause and correct it. Then, clean and inspect the grill’s valve, hose, and regulator before you start grilling again.

To perform a leak test, fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and dish soap. Then, spray it on the hose, valve, and regulator. Any leaks will make small bubbles.

Never use a match to check for leaks. And if you detect a leak, don’t try to light the grill again until it’s fixed.

3. Season the Grill

Similar to a dutch oven or cast iron skillet, you should season grills for optimal flavor and performance. The more you use your grill, the more the grill flavor locks in while cooking meat, giving your food great flavor.

Follow these simple steps from Char-Broil to properly season your grill:

1. Make sure the grill is off and the grates are cold. Then, coat all surfaces of the emitters and grates with high heat cooking oil, such as peanut oil or canola oil. You can use a brush or a spray bottle to apply the oil to the grill grates.
2. Wipe off any excess oil with a paper towel. The oil needs to coat the grates evenly.
3. Ignite and heat your grill for about 15 minutes or until the oil burns off or starts smoking.
4. Your grill grates should now be a dark brown or bronze instead of a shiny finish. With every use, the grill grates will get darker and more seasoned. This will help your grill cook more evenly.
5. Let the grill cool down.

Grilling out is perfect for hot summer days and tailgating season. At Blain’s Farm & Fleet, you’ll find everything you need to become a grill master. From grill tools to charcoal and gas grills, you can truly customize your grilling experience.

For more grilling tips and grill recipes, visit our Grilling & Patio Blog.