Help your grill cook better, longer

A clean, well-maintained grill will improve the flavor of all the food you cook and help prevent grease fires and other accidents. So before you start searing steaks or grilling fish, read our tips:

Examine the propane tank

Heavy rust, dents, or greenish-orange corrosion are signs that you need a new tank. On a grill without a fuel gauge, disconnect the tank and stand it upright. Pour hot water onto the tank and feel it. The cool area lets you know how much gas is left.

Check for gas leaks

Mix a small amount of dishwashing liquid and water in a spray bottle. Spray the soapy solution over connections and along the hose. Turn on the tank or, if you don't use a tank, the natural-gas line. Bubbling at connections or along the hose means you need to change a part or fix a loose connection.

Clean the firebox

Grease and food that fall through the grates often collect in the firebox. So periodically clean the drip pan and remove the grates and burners and clean the firebox. Check the owner's manual for the appropriate cleaning solutions.

Tend to the grates

Clean them before cooking and right after you've finished cooking. Use a stiff wire brush to clean both sides of the grates and do not use soap. (Note that porcelain-coated cast-iron grates require a nylon brush.) Before you cook, preheat the grill. Then oil the grates: Fold two paper towels into a tight pad and dip them in a bowl of neutral-flavor vegetable oil, like canola. Use a pair of tongs to draw the pad across the grates.

Maintain the exterior

Right after you're done cooking, use mild, soapy water and a sponge to wipe the grease from painted exterior surfaces, then carefully rinse. Eliminate stains on the lid by gently using a nylon pad dipped in soapy water. On a stainless-steel exterior (shown), use a soft cloth or sponge. Do not use harsh cleaners. Apply a grease-cutting solution, followed by an all-purpose cleaner. Finish by applying stainless polish.