It's time to fire up the barbecue again! Our tips for the perfect cookout

With summer approaching, it's the perfect time to dust off your barbecue and get back to having fun with friends, surrounded by the sizzling sounds and tantalizing aromas of a cookout. Follow our tips to get your barbecue up and running again, and to make your next cookouts a wild success!

How to get your barbecue sizzling again after its winter hibernation

If winter grilling isn't your thing, you might need a few extra tricks up your sleeve for those first few fire-ups to ensure a season of flawless cooking.

Starting with cleaning: After a long period of inactivity, it's advisable to thoroughly clean your barbecue to remove any dust, grease residues or even insects that may have accumulated over the weeks.

Here are our top tips for making the most of your upcoming barbecue parties.

Deep-clean your barbecue

This practice should be implemented before every barbecue, especially if the last one was several weeks ago.

To deep-clean your barbecue:

• Light the barbecue and bring it up to the maximum temperature to burn any residues
• Clean the cooking grates with a special grate brush to remove the accumulated dirt
• Turn off the barbecue and let it cool
• Remove all removable parts (grates, burners, braziers, griddles, etc.) and wash them with hot water and a degreasing detergent. If needed, let them soak
• Rinse thoroughly, let them dry, and then reassemble everything.

A clean barbecue is not only hygienic, but it's also the first step to ensuring outstanding cooking results!

Check component wear

Even when cleaned, do some components look particularly worn or even rusty, like the grill grate or burners? It may be time to replace them!

For gas barbecues in particular, remember to keep a close eye on the nozzles’ condition in order to prevent any blockages.

Safety first

If you use a gas barbecue, make sure to check the condition of the cylinder and connecting pipes to prevent any leaks.

Doing a bubble test is particularly useful for these situations. Spray soap and water on the pipes: if bubbles form, it means that the connection isn't airtight or that there could be leaks.

Stock up on fuels

After months of inactivity, do you remember how much fuel you have left? Be sure to check ahead of time and have gas, charcoal briquettes, wood, or pellets at the ready. And remember that in mild temperatures your barbecue will use more fuel than in summer!

Try new recipes

t's not a new barbecue season without new recipes! Try new marinades and sauces or even alternative cooking methods to make your barbecues even more delicious!

Ready for your inaugural fire-up? Preheat your grill!

Finally ready to kick off the season with the inaugural fire-up? Before you start cooking, remember to preheat the grill for at least 10 to 15 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving the ideal cooking temperature and ensuring consistent results.

Do you have some other ideas for getting your barbecue ready for summer? Share them with our communities on Facebook and Instagram!