When getting your own barbecue grill, think of it as an investment rather then just another item for your outside entertainment. You should expect this item to become a large part of your outdoor activities for many years to come. But like any other investments, proper maintenance and care is needed to ensure that your Bar-B-Que grill will work for you for the long term. While some maintenance and cleaning is specific to the type of Bar-B-Que grill your own (charcoal, smoke, electric, gas or other barbecue grill), the majority of maintenance that should be carried on does not change from grill to grill.

Step 1- Gathering The Needed Items

You will need some common household items on hand when it comes time to clean your Bar-B-Que grill.

Brass wire grill brush
Steel wool pads, preferably that contains soap already.
Mild dish soap
Sponge or dishcloth
Spray cooking oil
Dry baking soda
Aluminum foil

Step 2- Brush Your Grill Off

The first thing that should always be done to your grill is a routine brushing. Using your brass wire grill brush (or other brush suitable to your type of grill) you should brush off all the surfaces. By routinely brushing your Bar-B-Que grill, you will prevent any type of buildup. If buildup from food is left to long, it can become increasingly difficult to remove.

Step 3- Spray Cooking Oil

Once you are sure that your grill is free of all buildup and debris, and that your grill is completely cooled off, you will want to spray it down with a light layer of cooking oil. Spraying it down with cooking oil will prevent your Bar-B-Que grill from rusting. It is especially important to make sure your Bar-B-Que grill is completely cold, as spraying cooking oil on a hot surface may cause the oil to heat up and explode, which could be potentially damaging to you and your Bar-B-Que grill.

Step 4- Use Baking Soda & Aluminum Foil on Your Grill

Baking soda is a very nice cleaning and polishing agent. Once you have removed any extra debris and buildup, lightly scrubbing your Bar-B-Que grill with baking soda will give it that extra shine, similar to the day that you brought it home from the shop. This can also be used on handles and knobs to remove any extra buildup that cannot be taken off with a wire brush.

Aluminum foil can also be used to keep your grill looking nice. Gently rub the aluminum foil on your grill, and you will notice that it removes grim and buildup.

Step 5- Cleaning Your Racks

The racks in your grill are especially important as this is where the food touches when it is cooking. You will have to use the wire brush to remove as much buildup as possible. Once you remove as much as possible, start washing the racks with dish soap. If the racks are really dirty, you may also want to use the steel wool pads. Be sure to completely rinse off all soap and residue before roasting on these racks again.

Step 6- Preventing Difficulties With Your Grill

The majority of problems that arise from Bar-B-Que grills comes from lack of cleaning and maintenance. That means if you notice something does not appear exactly correct with your Bar-B-Que grill, chances are it can be fixed with just an easy cleaning. Even if you clean it, and still find that it is having problems, at least you saved yourself the potential embarrassment of taking it to a professional only to find out all it needed was to be cleaned.

Finally, one method of halting problems with your Bar-Be-Cue grill is protecting it from the outsides. Covers are available for grills in all shapes and sizes, so odds are, you will find one that fits your grill. If you have a cover for your Bar-B-Que grill, then all you will ever need to do is do the regular maintenance listed above.

For more tips on maintaining your Bar-B-Que grill, check out online BBQ resources such as http://www.DiscountBarbeque.com and read what they have to offer.