Your car is your pride and joy and maintaining it in perfect running order is an investment in your quality of life. That’s why you go to great lengths to keep the oil changed, rotate the tires, check the brakes… and even hit it with that all-important coat of wax the minute the sun starts shining. But there’s another valuable piece of equipment lurking in your garage that deserves no less attention: your barbeque.

Despite the fact that year-round barbequing is becoming more and more the norm, there’s still that definitive moment when you step outside, the air feels just a little bit warmer, and birds seem to be chirping just a little bit louder and the back yard is beginning to look inviting again. Barbeque Season has arrived! But before you race to the butchers, there’s a maintenance checklist worth following to ensure the your high volume grilling months remain glitch-free:

* Cleaning a coal barbeque is a simple process. This article outlines the procedure involved in cleaning a gas unit.

1) THE HOUSING

- Disassemble the flame tamers, burners, grates and warming rack. Using a scraper, remove residue, buildup, ashes and anything else that has dried, cooked, melted or otherwise attached itself to the grill housing and lid.

- If necessary, wash the firebox with warm, soapy water, rinsing thoroughly with a garden hose and wiping dry with a rag when finished.

- Aiming for a complete overhaul? High temperature paint will restore your barbeque to its original ‘just bought’ sheen.

2) THE BURNERS

- Remove double burners and use a grill brush to remove residue and debris. Using a paperclip, carefully make sure the port holes are unclogged.

- With a brush, clean the interior of the burner, sweeping any debris through the gas inlet.

- With a cotton swab, clean around the valve gas jets.

- Re-install the burner, being sure that it is properly situated above the valve gas jet.

3) THE DISTRIBUTION PLATES

- Remove the heat distribution plates. This is something you should do after every use.

- Use a brush to remove any residue then wash with warm, soapy water.

- Dry plates thoroughly with a rag then re-install.

4) THE GRATES

- Remove the cooking grates.

- Use a brush to remove any residue then wash with warm, soapy water.

- Dry grates thoroughly with a rag . Do not let grates sit submerged in soapy water for any period of time.

- Coat the entire grate with vegetable shortening.

- Place in the oven for 15 minutes at 300°F (149°C).

- Allow grate to cool down then re-assemble.

5) THE EXTERIOR

- To preserve the look of your barbeque, clean all exterior surfaces with a soft, non-abrasive rag using either warm, soapy water, a vinegar/water solution or a stainless steel cleaner.

- DO NOT use steel brushes, steel wool or scouring pads

- DO NOT use abrasive cleaners

- DO NOT use chloride-based or bleach-based detergents

Congratulations. Your baby is ready for a test drive!