Once the last of those summer days have gone and the colder weather sets in, it’s time to put away your BBQ grill, ready for spring and summer next year, but what’s the best way to store a BBQ grill for winter? How can you make sure it’s stored safety, to keep it in the best possible condition? Read on to discover more about the best place to keep a BBQ grill while not in use.
Keep it clean
The first step is to ensure your BBQ is clean, so check out our previous post on the best way to clean a barbecue grill before you think about putting it away for the winter. After a long season of frequent use, your barbecue might well be blackened, coated in grease and covered in remnants of charred food. Though the idea of cleaning that off might not be the most appealing one, the alternative is leaving the residue to attract pests, moisture and mould. Leaving the BBQ grill dirty will also increase the chances of corrosion and rusting. Once the barbecue is clean and dry, you could apply some vegetable oil to act as a protective barrier while it is in storage.
Keep it covered
Many barbecue manufacturers produce covers that are custom-made to fit the exact dimensions of their BBQ grills. Such makers include Landmann and Outback, each of which makes a range of covers to fit different shapes and sizes of BBQ grill. These are a very wise investment, as they will protect your barbecue from wildlife and the elements, year after year. Where you can’t find a cover made by the same brand, good quality generic covers will almost always do just as good a job. Just make sure you measure carefully before purchase.
Keep in inside
The best option of all is to keep your barbecue inside – although covering it is still a good idea when you consider that insects, rodents and other pests tend to inhabit sheds and garages. These outdoor storage spaces may also be damp inside, especially during wet winter weather, so a slick of oil on the grill and a well-fitting barbecue cover could make all the difference. The ideal place would be within the home as it’s warm and dry, but this is rarely practical unless you have a spare, spacious storage cupboard.
Keep the gas separate
If yours is a gas barbecue, then the gas canister should never be stored in the home or even the garage. Check that the tap is firmly turned off before detaching the canister from the barbecue. A gas canister should always be kept upright. It should also be stored out of direct sunlight and well away from children – especially younger ones. If you can, keep your gas canister in an outdoor shed rather than in the garage. If you don’t have a shed, then store it outdoors in a sheltered spot after wrapping it securely in strong plastic bags to keep out spiders, insects and other pests.
Look after your BBQ over winter, and it will be ready to look after you when spring arrives in the UK once more.
