#grillcleaningtips

Owning your own Santa Maria grill provides a wealth of benefits. From getting that fresh BBQ perfectly bronzed to ensuring a local block party has all the eats it needs, your grill is one of the best assets.

To get the most value out of your grill, you need to perform a little preventative maintenance. Here’s a quick “how-to” for the care of your preferred model. We want to help you always be ready whenever the cookout calls.

Seasoning Your Santa Maria Grill

Proper seasoning is a must-do for any Santa Maria grill. That is how you get those unique flavors special to your individual equipment. Not to mention, seasoning also reduces rust and stops food from sticking to the metal.

Start by cleaning the grates using a grill brush and warm water to scrub away any debris or leftover food. Next, apply oil to coat the grates with a thin layer of high-smoke-point products.

Once your oil is on, heat up the grill to around 400 degrees Fahrenheit and let it run for about an hour. That will ensure the oil bonds well to the metal. That is why using avocado oil or grapeseed is the best solution.

Finally, you’ll want to repeat this seasoning process whenever you notice signs of rust or food sticking a little too often to your grill bars.

Cleaning Your Santa Maria Grill

On top of seasoning, you also need to keep your grill clean and fresh. After every cookout you perform, give those grates a little brush to eliminate ash or food waste. Wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth and empty out your ash dry so no moisture builds up and contributes to rust.

You may also want to do monthly deep-cleaning during warmer BBQ season. Take out your grates and soak them in some lightly soapy water to remove grease. Scrape out the firebox with a putty knife. This will reduce leftover charcoal and ash and ensure proper airflow for easier heat management when you’re back up and running.

You can keep your Santa Maria grill covered when you’re not using it. It all depends on whether you live in a high-moisture area where a lot of sun damage or rainwater might degrade the metal. These are incredibly well-built fixtures, so they can remain exposed, but we want you to get as much life out of the grill as possible.

When you do the deep cleaning, you may also want to check out the firebox, grates, crank mechanism, and bolts/screws. A visual inspection usually does the trick, so nothing is loose and everything is moving as intended.

After you’re completely finished, be sure to use the re-seasoning method mentioned above so your freshly deep-cleaned grill is ready for another round of ribs, chicken thighs, or 14oz steaks.

Final Thoughts

Taking care of your treasured Santa Maria grill ensures you get the best performance whenever you’re cooking and demonstrates pride in your equipment. You wouldn’t cook a fresh omelet on a dirty stove, right? Why not treat your grill to the same level of attention?