Springtime Grilling Tips & Recipes

Kicking off the grilling season early is the best way to get prepared for summer. For many of us in the United States, spring brings the perfect weather for cooking up a delicious meal outdoors while it’s still a bit cool out. From grilled corn on the cob to juicy burgers and toasted hot dogs, spring grilling is bound to satisfy your taste buds. Let’s quickly go over some spring grilling tips, the essential replacement parts you might consider investing in, and some spring-inspired grilling recipes that you’ll definitely want to try out.

Spring Grilling Tips

Your grill has been sitting idle in the shed or out on the deck all winter. It's likely gathered quite a bit of dust and debris, and it’s crucial that you clean it thoroughly before firing it up again in the spring. To do this, use soapy water to scrub both the interior and exterior of the grill. Don’t forget about your grilling tools either—they need to be cleaned and ready for action just like the grill itself. If you’ve been using a wire brush for cleaning, it’s time to toss it out and switch to something safer. Wire brushes are notorious for shedding their bristles, and if one of these bristles gets cooked into your food and consumed, it could cause serious harm. Three great alternatives to a wire brush include:

• A nylon brush
• A wooden scraper
• A grill-cleaning cloth

Another important spring grilling tip is to coat your grill with rustproof metal paint. This suggestion applies only to the exterior of the grill. Since April showers lead to May flowers, you’ll want to keep the rain from causing rust damage to your grill. Painting it is an excellent way to prevent this. When painting, there’s no need to worry about painting the wheels or hardware—these grill replacement parts are relatively inexpensive to replace.

Other tips to follow when prepping your grill for spring include:

1. Stocking up on fuel: A gas grill requires gas to function.
2. Cleaning the grease traps: Grease traps should be kept clean to avoid fire hazards, and a dirty trap can potentially cause your entire grill to explode, leading to severe injuries.
3. Covering the grill: Spring weather can be unpredictable, ranging from sunny days to windy and rainy conditions. Protect your grill from harsh weather by keeping it covered when not in use.

Replacement Parts to Invest In

There are several common grill parts you should assess and possibly replace each spring. First, check the burners, which act as a heat source. Depending on the grill model, it may have a single burner or multiple ones. Typically, the burners are either oval-shaped or H-shaped. High-end grills may have up to four or more burners. If your grill lacks these, they’re usually referred to as tube or rail burners. When purchasing replacement burners, opt for stainless steel ones as they tend to last the longest. The rock grates and cooking grates may also need replacing as spring approaches. Rock grates are fairly cheap to replace, while cooking grates can be a bit pricier, especially when you choose the right type—stainless steel. You might be tempted to go for chrome-plated steel grates due to their lower cost, but they won’t last nearly as long as stainless steel or cast iron grates, particularly when it comes to rust resistance. If you’d rather not invest in rock grates, you can replace them with heat shields. Heat shields serve the same purpose as rock grates but don’t harbor bacteria, making the food you grill much healthier to eat. Plus, heat shields are generally easier to replace than rock grates.

Gas Grills: Spring-Themed Grilling Recipes

When using a PGS grill, spring is the perfect time to whip up some mouthwatering dishes. If you’re searching for spring-themed grilling recipes, you don’t need to look any further. Here are two ideas that are sure to get your taste buds excited every spring.

Grilled Asparagus with Mozzarella

Spring is the ideal time to adopt healthier eating habits. The weather begins to warm up, making it the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy activities like walking and biking. Along with staying active, you’ll also want to explore healthier grilling options, such as grilled asparagus with mozzarella. Preheat the grill to medium heat, lightly grill the asparagus, and sprinkle mozzarella over it along with a few drops of lemon vinaigrette about three minutes before removing the asparagus from the grill.

Tuscan Chicken with Grilled Fennel and Onions

Another healthy spring grilling recipe worth trying is Tuscan chicken with grilled fennel and onions. Simply grill your chicken in aluminum foil lined with vegetable oil, fennel, and onions. The fennel and onions will gently marinate the chicken as it cooks. For a spicier version, add some crushed red pepper about five minutes before the chicken is done.