Keeping Your Barbecue Grill Clean & Organized

We are excited to be partnering with The Maids to help you get organized, and share great cleaning ideas too! We are in the midst of the summer barbecue season, which is the time to think about keeping the grill clean and all those gadgets organized. Every time we organize or unpack a kitchen, we come across those long, awkward grilling tools that can be hard to store, especially in smaller kitchens.  So...it’s time to address the problem. How do we keep the gill in tip top condition and all the barbecue related gadgets organized? Here are some solutions:1. Gather. Often barbecue tools pans and gadgets are stored in multiple places. Check the kitchen drawers as well as out by the grill. When grilling tools are used infrequently, or are not stored properly, we forget where they are or even worse, forget we still own them! Once you’ve gathered every grilling gadget, consider what you use and how often. Do you need that huge fish griller pan? Apply the same rule you use with clothing—if you haven’t used it in the past season, it’s time to let it go. Do a thorough assessment of what you have and edit according to what you use and the amount of storage space you have.2. Simplify. If you’re a barbecue aficionado, you may require an assortment of special gadgets, and that’s fine, as long as you have the space to store them. However, if you’re seeking to simplify, pare down what you can, but always keep at least the basic necessities: a long and heavy duty spatula, basting brush, tongs and a grill cleaning brush.3. Store.  Are you leery of keeping grilling tools outside all year long? Do you only grill seasonally? Then keep the tools out only during that time. During the off season, store them in a container, label and place on a high shelf or pantry closet. To trigger your memory, keep a note inside the grill cabinet door with a reminder of the location and which tools you’ve stored. Most grill utensils also have a loop at the top so they can hang on a hook. Take advantage of this feature. If you have any vertical space inside a cabinet door or pantry wall, hang some hooks and free up the drawer space that these big tools may be taking up.4. Clean. Keeping the grill covered in the off season will help it to stay clean and safe from the elements. At the start of the season, perform a thorough cleaning, so that simple upkeep through the summer will suffice. Another good once-over after heavy use is a good idea. Here are some great tips from The Maids to help keep your grill clean and sparkling.