With the winter season upon us, you may be wondering how to protect your outside grill and keep it from rusting. We have customers of all kinds, those who pack up their grills and wait until the weather warms and those who are year-round outdoor grillers.

Either way some basic winter prep to winterize your grill will help protect it and extend its useful life.

1. Examine Your Grill Parts for Good Working Order

First of all, give your grill a once over and see if everything is in proper working order.

If you need to replace any of your grill parts, winter is a great time to get the best deal on replacement grill parts. You’ll appreciate having it ready to go on the first nice day of the year.

2. Fire Your BBQ Up And Burn Off Excess Grease and Gunk

You can then turn the grill on to the highest heat and leave it running for 10 or 15 minutes while carefully attending it to burn off any remaining grease stuck to its surfaces.

With a gas grill, just flip those knobs to high and close the lid. If it’s a charcoal barbecue, just put some charcoal on and let it cook off any remaining residue and burn down.

3. Scrub and Clean With A Grill Brush and Wash Cloth

Next — after letting it cool safely — give the grill a thorough cleaning.

Use a grill brush to remove any greasy residue and char buildup on the burners, bars, and grates. This gunk can trap moisture and lead to rust.

You can also gently use a putty knife to scrape any crud from the grill’s interior. Dump the debris in the grease tray or drip pan, then take the tray inside to clean it with some liquid detergent and warm water.

4. Clean The Outside of the Grill

After that, you can clean the outside of the grill. Use a washcloth and warm, soapy water. Now you’ve got a clean grill that you can examine for any signs of rust.

If you find any rust on your grill, don’t wait to treat it. Get some rust removing spray gel and follow the directions to treat the rusted spot. Doing this is key to extending your grill’s life. On the exterior of painted black grills, you can use a high-temp paint to seal and touch-up any spots where paint has chipped off.

5. Oil Grill Surfaces to Winterize and Keep Out Moisture

Next, if you would like, you can use some high smoke point cooking oil like peanut oil and a clean washcloth to lightly cover the grill’s surfaces. Use as thin a layer as possible.

Less is more here. The oil will help protect your grill from moisture, even from the interior grill surfaces. In the spring, just thoroughly wipe your grill down to clean off the thin layer of oil.

6. Wrap Burners and Gas Line with Plastic Bags

If you have a gas grill, wrap the burners next if you won’t be barbecuing until the spring. Use plastic bags and wrap them tightly so insects won’t get in and nest.

Then disconnect the gas line and wrap it up in plastic as well. If your grill has an electric ignition, remove the battery to store inside until you’re ready to use the grill again.

The last step before you put your grill away for the winter is:
7. Cover Your Grill With a Waterproof Grill Cover

Finally cover the grill with a correctly-fitted, waterproof grill cover to protect your grill from rust causing rain and snow.

If you’re storing the grill in a dry shed or garage, you can skip this step. But if you’re leaving it under the sky, definitely do not skip this step or your grill will be prone to rust.

If you have a gas grill, never store the propane tank indoors. You can leave it outdoors in cold weather. Just be sure to cover it so that it isn’t exposed to rain or snow. You can wipe the propane tank with a light layer of cooking oil to winterize and protect it from rust.

For even more tips and tricks about how to put your grill away for the winter, check out this video from the Grill Girl.

Find Answers About BBQ Grilling in the Winter

With the holidays over and cold temperatures firmly set across the country, some outdoor grillers are asking a question we love: Can you cook on a propane grill in winter?

Short answer is: Yes, absolutely, you can grill on a natural gas or propane grill in winter.

As gas grill specialists here at GrillPartsSearch, we’ve got some tips to help you make the most of your outdoor winter barbecue adventure with the cold season upon us.

Tips to Grill in Winter Temperature Outdoors:

1. First of all, be sure to dress correctly to grill this winter. In addition to staying warm for cold weather grilling, you also want to dress safely. That means you may want to leave the scarf or any winter clothing with loose hanging flammable articles inside to avoid catching fire. Also be sure to use heat-resistant barbecue gloves instead of snow gloves or mittens.
2. Another important safety tip: Be sure to clear any snow on the path to your grill before lighting it up. Salt the area around the grill if necessary to prevent slipping on ice. Make sure your grill is in a well-ventilated area away from anything flammable. Never grill in your garage or under a patio overhang, even if it’s snowing or raining outside. Use common sense and be safe
3. Be patient when winter grilling in cold temperatures. It uses more fuel and takes longer to grill during the winter, but your natural gas or propane grill will absolutely be able to get the job done. Just be sure to test meat temperatures with a meat thermometer to ensure your food is thoroughly and safely cooked.

Heat retention option: Winter Grilling with a Lava Rock Grill Converter

If you’re looking to grill this winter, now’s a good opportunity to test out a volcanic lava rock grill converter kit on your propane or gas grill. Lava rocks have fallen out of vogue since big box retailers started importing cheaper metal plates, but they’re making a comeback.

Here is the benefit of cooking with lava rock, according to our resident Grill Girl:

“Lava rock naturally radiates infrared heat into your food when heated by the flame from your gas grill burner. That radiated heat cooks your food more evenly and leaves it simmering delightfully in the even glow of the lava rock bed.”

That’s an extra advantage for outdoor barbecuers in winter, because, “Lava rock also retains heat on cold and windy days. It stays warmer for longer than metal plates for your gas grill do, instead of losing heat each time the grill cabin is opened.”

No matter what you have inside your grill, keep the hood closed as much as possible!

It’s still important to be patient with your food as it cooks. Keep the grill cover closed as much as possible when grilling in the cold winter air. You might find your lava rock does a better job of staying heated. Plus, they’ll make a fun and great-looking conversation piece as family and friends gather around the grill in warmer weather next spring.

If you want to know how to BBQ fish filets that look and taste great, it’s all about getting the time and temperature right, knowing how to grill fish in foil, and for the outdoor gas grill, remembering to use the right type of oil.

We have a fun BBQ fish-specific spatula that you’ll definitely need before you throw the fish on your grill. Once you have that, here are some best practices, tricks, and tips for cooking fish on the grill:

Grilling Fish: Time and Temperature

According to Connecticut’s City Fish Market, “Chefs recommend baking fish at between 350° Fahrenheit and 450° Fahrenheit.”

Technically it doesn’t take very much heat to cook a fresh fish. 

To safely cook very fresh whole fish, an internal temperature of just 130 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit is required, so we’re talking about plenty of heat to get the job done.

On a gas grill we can push the temperature up to that high end above 400 degrees and cook those fish up nice and steaming hot with a little bit of flame broil char fresh off the barbecue.

Here are some guidelines from the professionals to give you an idea of the best gas grilling time and temperature for three of the most popular kinds of fish to cook on the gas barbecue:

Salmon grilling time and temp:

“As a general guideline, salmon should take approximately 6-8 minutes per inch of thickness when cooked at 425°F.” –The Alaskan Salmon Company

Cod grilling time and temp:

“Low and slow is the way to go when it comes to making this yummy fish dish. A low-temperature oven (set to just 300 F) ensures that the fish cooks slowly, without drying out.” –The Sumter Item

Tilapia grilling time and temp:

“We love baking it at 400 degrees F. It is the right temperature to cook it, and results in flaky and tender fish.” –Sweet and Savory Meals

When the fish gets some color and its skin turns opaque it’s nearly ready.

After the skin begins to char, if the internal temp reads out safe, it’s good to serve off the grill— usually about 10 minutes over the flame.

How to Grill Fish in Foil

So those were some time and temperature tips.

Here is another trick for grilling fish outdoors: How do you grill fish on a gas grill and keep the fresh caught whole fish moist and juicy? Grill the fish in foil on your gas grill.

You can wrap your fish up in aluminum foil packets to cook them in. You don’t need to flip them.

They’ll hold in the heat and radiate it everywhere so the fish is cooked nice and evenly while keeping in any sauces, lemon juice, or seasonings— whatever you’re adding.

With the foil holding in heat, your fish might be ready after about seven minutes, but they can still take around ten minutes to finish cooking on the grill in foil wraps.

Oiling Fish for the Gas Grill

And here’s another best practice for cooking fish on the grill:

Drizzling a little avocado or flaxseed oil on your fish to cook is fine for the crock pot, or stovetop or oven baking if you’re cooking on low for a longer time.

But on the grill where it gets hotter, you might get a tastier result with a high smoke point oil like peanut, sunflower, sesame, canola, or olive oil.

Be sure to oil your fish before putting it on the grill to get a nice savory crisp. Don’t forget to season it with your favorite fish treatments after oiling.

If you want a slightly more simple option, grab one of these griddle toppers for your grilled fish!

Weber Genesis II series gas grills have been around for a few years now. However, they’ve recently gotten an update from the manufacturer, so newer models have some upgrades.

While Weber Genesis II has been around for a few years, the new Weber grill model is simply GENESIS in all caps.

They now have a new style of burner and stainless steel parts, but many aspects remain the same. Here’s what’s updated on the new GENESIS grills.

What’s different from the old Genesis II gas grills?

The new version Weber GENESIS offers upgraded features and stainless steel grill parts:

• More space and a taller hood
• Larger warming racks
• Standard cabinet doors
• Handle lights

Genesis II vs. GENESIS:

All of that means bigger birds, bigger cuts of meat, more food, and greater convenience and luxury in an outdoor gas grill. GENESIS is also standardized to Weber’s latest cookware.

What people are saying about Weber GENESIS

The most common question online about the Weber Genesis 2 is:

“Why is Weber so expensive?”

Well they’ve got the answer to their own question, because the second most common question online about the Weber Genesis II is:

“How long does the Weber Genesis grill last?” 

Here’s an answer to that:

“An average Weber gas grill will last up to 10 years. High-quality materials used for making Weber grills ensure guaranteed longevity.”

Now that’s not from Weber. Of course they would say that about their own grill. That is from Carnivore Style, a meat lover’s diet and lifestyle news source.

They don’t have any agenda about gas grills versus charcoal grills or one gas grill brand versus another. All they care about is the meat.

So at first glance that’s probably a pretty objective source of information. Now what would you guess is the average gas grill’s longevity?

According to Watson’s outdoor pool furniture outlet, the average American replaces their grill every three years. Now why is Weber Genesis 2 the expensive gas grill again?

Rave Weber Genesis II reviews

Online reviewers who’ve had their Genesis grills for years rave about them. In one YouTube comment on a Weber Genesis II gas grill review, someone said:

“I have this grill and generally love it. The temperature control, uniformity of cooking, and flavor profile is excellent.”

But they added:

“However, I’m having a hard time getting any sear marks on the food with the stainless steel grates. I like the taste of the caramelized food that searing gives; I don’t want burning. Do others have this problem or any suggestions?”

Seemingly in response to their customers’ concerns, now GENESIS grills come standard with the searing station out of the box.

The truth of the matter is that most grillers love their Webers. There are certainly a few drawbacks, but Weber owners seem able to find ways around the drawback and keep their grills on their decks for many years.

Weber is a brand we support at GrillPartsSearch.com. Check out the listing of parts we have, if your grill is 2 years old or 20! We also have a line of accessories to enhance any griller’s bbq.

Do you love your Weber? What model do you have? Leave us a comment in the field below and Happy Grilling!

If you’ve heard of grill rocks or lava rocks, you might be wondering why people put them in gas grills. The main reason is they are a great way to cook your food in a gas grill. Lava rocks are fun, look fantastic cooking your food, and they radiate heat nicely.

Now for the basic starting griller, the metal plates are fine for their gas burner covers. They catch and hold the heat well enough and get your food cooked fine. But lava rocks are just too cool to pass up for such a hot way to cook your food on an outdoor gas grill!

If you really want to up your barbecue game and impress your friends, your family, and even yourself, read on to find out how nice it is to barbecue your food over heated volcanic stone.

The smoking hot rocks cooking your food turn a barbecue into a luau while you and your guests enjoy cold drinks out of the cooler and a freshly cooked dinner hot off the lava. The rocks look good and they make a great conversation piece.

Is it good to put lava rocks in a gas grill?

Yes, absolutely. This is no hack or jury rig. In fact, lava rocks used to be all the rage. They give gas grillers a way to have a very effective heat cover for their burners with a nice visual presentation. It truly is a more enjoyable way to to fully experience cooking outdoors on a gas grill.

What is an alternative to lava rocks on a gas grill?

You can stick with the metal plate burner covers that come standard with a lot of grills when it’s time to replace yours. You’ll just be the guy with the same boring, mass-produced, cheaply-imported cooking equipment with the metal plates on your burners. We joke, …kinda.

Wouldn’t you rather upgrade to lava rocks? With those volcanic lava rocks on the flames piping heat into your food, you’re a hero. They’re earthy and exotic. They just add character and finery to your grill and outdoor culinary and dining experience.

What are the benefits of lava rocks?

Lava rocks on the gas grill cook your food evenly because, being made of natural volcanic stone, they hold the heat in hotter for longer. Additionally, they radiate it back out more evenly than metal plates. You will get better flavor with lava rocks.

With metal plate burner covers, the greases and juices from your food drip off into a tray. Instead, rocks catch all the savory drippings, vaporize them, and steam your food in them. You get really delicious food cooking over these rocks.

What’s next?

If you’re interested in making the switch to lava rocks, check out the best lava rock in the world.

Have any questions? Ask them in the comments, or send us an email [email protected]

Happy Grilling!

The Grill Girl