| It’s a sad fact that in the UK our barbecues can | | | | maintain an even heat. The bottom tray of your |
| spend more time under cover than in use, thanks to | | | | barbecue collects the most grease so use a plastic |
| our unpredictable climate. Rawgarden.co.uk, the | | | | scraper to clear the build-up each time it is used |
| leading website from which to buy barbecues and | | | | before washing it with warm soapy water. Work |
| garden furniture, has tips on how you can you ensure | | | | surfaces and warming racks should not be forgotten |
| your barbecue is in tip-top condition no matter how | | | | either; a fine steel wool scouring pad works wonders |
| long it has languished under cover. | | | | on warming racks but be careful not to scratch any |
| The first thing to ensure is that your barbecue is | | | | porcelain areas on control panels, etc. Never use |
| kept clean all year-round. Too many people rely on | | | | abrasive pads such as these on stainless steel areas |
| the heat from the coals to burn off the residue of | | | | as they are too harsh and will scratch the surface. |
| food and fat from the last time the barbecue was | | | | Finally, wipe off any grease or marks from the body |
| used – disgusting but true! Not only is this | | | | of the barbecue, not forgetting the inside of the lid |
| unhygienic and a potential hotbed for germs, but | | | | and places that are hard to reach. Grease left on the |
| it’s also going to do no good for the long-term | | | | body of the barbecue over time can damage the |
| maintenance of your barbecue. Relying on the heat | | | | paintwork. Never use oven cleaner as this can also |
| of the barbecue to burn off food remains does | | | | harm the paintwork. After each use, charcoal |
| work, but only directly after you have used it to | | | | barbecues should always be emptied of ashes once |
| cook that food. Allowing it to cool and storing it | | | | they have cooled down, as the ash absorbs moisture |
| away with the residue still on the grate will make it | | | | which can cause the barbecue to rust. |
| very difficult to remove by heat alone next time. | | | | Once you have ensured that your barbecue is |
| Clean the grates of charcoal barbecues as soon as | | | | completely clean for its next use, don’t spoil all |
| the coals have died down, when the grate is still | | | | of your careful maintenance by storing it improperly. |
| warm. Then you can use a brass grill brush to clear | | | | Barbecues need to be kept away from any moist |
| off any food remains before washing the grate with | | | | conditions at all if you are to avoid rust, so not only |
| warm soapy water. The grates of gas barbecues | | | | should you ensure that it is in a covered area (ideally |
| should be brushed down in the same way, but as | | | | a garage or shed) but also that it is in a weather |
| you will also need to brush down the flavouriser bars, | | | | cover. Rawgarden.co.uk features a range of garden |
| you will need a long-handled barbecue brush to | | | | furniture covers including barbecue weather covers, |
| protect your hands from the heat as you clean. | | | | as well as barbecue cleaning equipment and barbecue |
| It’s best to put oil on the grill once it has heated | | | | accessories. Stock up on the right cleaning and |
| up to avoid the food sticking to it in the first place. | | | | maintenance equipment and follow this care guide and |
| Don’t forget to also clean the burner tubes of | | | | your barbecue will perform fantastically for years to |
| any residue, using a steel brush and only cleaning | | | | come and at the drop of the hat - as soon as the |
| upwards and downwards. This will help the burners to | | | | sun comes out! |