Some of you all-season grill masters are probably thinking “What hibernation? I grill all year round!” While there are a number of barbecue enthusiasts that never put their grill away, our list of grill winterizing tips is geared towards individuals who are looking for grill storage tips for winter. And if your grill isn’t going to be used for an extended period of time, following these basic steps are helpful parts of any maintenance program.
If you have a propane grill that you want to store properly, read on to learn the best ways to prepare your grill for winter storage!
Putting a grill away dirty for winter is a big no-no. Grease and food residue will harden and be much more difficult to get off several months later. This can also attract mice and insects looking for a protected place to spend winter. The best thing to do after your last barbecue of the season is to heat up the grill to burn off any residue. Then, wash everything with soapy warm water.
One simple way to protect the metallic parts of your grill and prepare them for winter storage is to use spray cooking oil. This will repel moisture and limit corrosion of the steel parts, and it will easily burn off in the spring when you heat the grill up for the first time. Don’t forget the grills and cooking surfaces. While winterizing, why not take a look at the frame and chassis of your grill? If any paint is chipping, sanding it down and applying a heat-resistant anti-corrosion paint means you don’t have to spend time doing it in the spring when the nice weather hits.
The burner of a propane grill is obviously the heart of the operation, so it requires special attention. Remove the burner from the grill, and once coated in spray cooking oil, wrap it tightly in a plastic bag. Sealing the burner this way for winter storage will keep spiders and insects from nesting inside. Many barbecue enthusiasts know that when they can’t get their propane grill to light properly or burn evenly in the spring, it’s often due to spiders taking up residence in the tubes. With the burner and the ends of the hoses wrapped in plastic, you’ll save time when you’re ready to get your grill out again in the spring.
Unlike with gasoline, propane fuel doesn’t require any specific winterizing. Propane has the advantage of having an indefinite shelf life, so no stabilizers are required. Simply disconnect the tank from the grill after ensuring the vale is tightly closed, and store it outside, upright and covered. Never store a propane tank in your basement or garage — the safest place is outside in case of a leak. As with the burner and hoses, a simple piece of plastic taped over the inlet will ensure that nothing nests inside and blocks the propane flow.
Find an out-of-the-way place in your garage or shed, or under a barbecue cover, for your grill to sleep for the winter months. If you’ve prepared your propane grill according to these winter storage tips, you should have no problem reassembling it in the spring when you’re eager to start grilling again. Even if you plan to grill all year long, going through the cleaning and verification steps at the start of winter is the best way to ensure your grill is as ready as you are! If you need propane for your grilling needs during any time of the year, Contact Foster Fuels to get a tank refill as well as learn more about how propane can help you save money today!
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Great advice for storing your propane. I always make sure to cover any opening to prevent things from moving in. Thank for the tips.
Thanks for the great advice, I had no idea that you were supposed to remove the burner before storage or that spiders would nest in it. I suppose that would explain why I had such a hard time getting my own propane grill started up earlier this summer. I'll definitely have to take your advice when winter rolls around again this year, but I do have to ask: would you suggest storing the sealed burner inside the house during the winter or outside with the rest of the grill?
Thank you for the comment and question Mr. Brooks. If the burner is sealed in a plastic bag, it would be fine stored inside the house in a safe place or outside with the grill. The choice is yours!
Thanks for your good advice, I have a rodent (mice, red squirrels, chipmunks, you name it) issue and am looking for ideas on how to keep them out of my grill this winter.
Hello TPK, thank you for commenting! The best thing to do to keep rodents out of your grill is to keep your grill clean of food residue using a metal grill brush and sponge. Make sure to seal off any open areas and use a cover with a zipper. Click here for more information on cleaning tips.
I am glad that you pointed out that you don't need to winterize a propane tank. That is a good thing for me to know because I like to grill. It does seem like a good idea for me to always make sure that the tank isn't connected to the grill when I am not using it.
Thanks for commenting Ivy! We're glad you liked this article. Although not necessary to winterize a propane tank, it's certainly recommended to maintain the efficiency and get the most out of your grill. Happy grilling!
It's good to know that when it comes to preparing to store a gas grill that there are some things that we need to be aware of to do it right. I am glad that you mentioned that the propane has a good shelf life and doesn't need to have stabilizers but should be kept out of the basement and garage. This is something that we will have to be aware of so that we are able to have it taken care of right.
Thank you for pointing out that one way to prevent moisture and corrosion on the propane tank during the winter season is by spraying oil on it. I will mention this to my parents since this will be the first time that we will be experiencing the snow. We also want to know what we can do to protect the propane tank this winter as we intend to order a refill of it later this month.
Thanks for that tip about safely storing the fuel. Fuel really is a precious commodity, and should be handled with care! Like you said, you don't want it to leak!
I really want to start grilling more. However, it is winter and I am not sure if there is anything I need to know about using propane and grilling the winter. So, I liked that you explained that propane doesn't need to be winterized.
That's good to know that you don't have to prepare a propane tank for winter. I had heard that you needed to do that for gasoline, so I was wondering if propane was the same way. I'll have to remember to keep it outside though. I wouldn't want a leak in my house.