Caring for your BBQ

(NC)-Now the weather is warming up, barbeque aficionados have started thinking about the mouth-watering tastes of food cooked on an outdoor grill. Before you fire up the grill this season you'll want to follow these suggestions on grill maintenance from the experts at The Home Depot Canada.

This is a good time to check the tank and gas hose to make sure they're in good condition. "A cracked or faulty hose could be a serious and potentially serious problem if not caught soon enough," warns John DeFranco, The Home Depot's BBQ expert. "Tanks and hoses have a tendency to rust, crack and corrode over time, so it's important that you keep an eye on them and replace them when necessary."

It's also a good idea to check the burners when tuning up your grill. A faulty or broken burner will cut the grilling capacity in half. To replace the burners, all you will need is a Phillips head or standard screwdriver. It helps if you take your used burner with you when buying a replacement to ensure that the new burner is compatible with your grill.

Replacing the coals is another easy and inexpensive step in caring for your grill. When replacing coals in the basket or pan in the bottom of the grill, be sure to spread them equally so your cooking surface will heat evenly and make cooking more efficient.

"If the body of your grill isn't looking its best and you want to give it a new shine, try a coat of high-temperature spray paint," suggests DeFranco. "The paint is an extra layer of protection from the elements such as temperature changes, rain, sleet and snow."

Are the knobs cracked, broken or missing? Don't worry-you can also replace them with relative ease. Finally, be sure to keep your grill covered. There are several styles of grill covers available and they do a great job of protecting the grill even more.
When all is said and done, if your grill is really and shape, it may be time to invest in a new one.

Spend a little time on your grill today, then the during rest of the season, all you need to do is fire it up and decide what's for dinner.

- News Canada