Outdoor BBQ Prep 4 Summer

Outdoor BBQ Prep 4 Summer.

Summer is soon to arrive regardless of your local resident area of our country. In preparation for that season, now is the time to start preparing for outdoor BBQ'ing...

Regardless of which type of fuel the BBQ uses, as long as the BBQ is not a charcoal type, below are some handy tips for preparing for a great BBQ cooking season ahead.

First preparation step, remove all briquet's from inside the BBQ. If the BBQ uses them. Next, remove the burner or burners. Clean the entire inside of the BBQ.

There are chemicals which can help to clean off last years left over burn ons. I prefer a wire brush, scrapper and some good old fashioned elbow grease. (Physical Work) You can also just turn on the burner(s) to HIGH and let it self clean first.

Then remove the wire racks and Wire brush them. Then due the same for the burner(s) then flush each with water. Clean out the holes or slots in the burner(s). A wire from the brush, large pin, needle or a thin wire works best, in my opinion.

Also check inside and down the burner tube. You may find a spider web. If so, a coat hanger wire works to remove it or a bottle brush. Water flush clean.

Next item to check is for s spider web inside the orifice. The orifice will be the brass or bronze thimble hex nut the burner tube sits on or over. Use a flash light if needed, to peer down the tiny hole in the center of the orifice.

HINT:
Spider webs inside burners or orifices is the number one cause of low burner flames at the burners or no gas to the burner(s).

If you see a white web or what appears to be a tiny cotton obstruction in the orifice, it's a spiders web. Not all that uncommon to find spiders in either the burner tube or the orifices. They are attracted to the fuel smell. Especially natural gas.

To remove a web from an orifice, I suggest either removing the orifice or using a pipe cleaner. To effectively remove a web from an orifice using the pipe cleaner method, it helps to have the gas to that burner on. Helps to dislodge the web easier. Usually once it's loose it will blow out.

Turn on the valve to the effected burner, insert the pipe cleaner, twirl it around and pull it out. Done correctly, pipe cleaner will come out with the web attached or it will be loosened enough to blow out from the gas pressure.

TIP 1:
In some cases it helps to clean off a bit of the pipe cleaners outside covering by burning it off. Than slightly untwist the thinner wire from the thicker one. Insert into orifice, twist and remove. Out should come the web.

If the web does not come out in the above manner or gets pushed down further, orifice removal is required. Use a 7/16 inch open ended wrench. Turn counter-clock wise to remove. Clean and reinstall turning counter clockwise as you're facing down wards at it.

TIP 2:
Helps to count the number of turns it takes to remove the orifice. Reinstall fully until it bottoms out, than unscrew orifice out the same number of turns to reset it back to it's original position.

Clean racks using wire brush. Cleaner not recommend but may be used if rinsed well. BBQ cleaner, wire brushes, etc available at most local hardware stores or any appliance parts stores.

TIP 3:
Suggested replacement of briquet's is yearly but may not be required depending upon prior usage, physical condition and cleanliness. Cleaning can be done, on some types of lava style briquet's, by washing and drying.

Another method is to incinerate briquettes after cleaning and reassembling BBQ. Why not. You need to test the BBQ anyway...

If BBQ parts are required for replacement, write down the brand name, model and serial numbers of the BBQ, visit the local appliance parts store(s) in your area. Very likely to have the OEM parts.

Appliance parts dealers are listed in the local phone book. Some BBQ parts are available online.