How to Prep Your Grill and Outdoor Living Area for Summer

The official start to the summer season is fast approaching, and warm weather means barbeques and lots of outdoor entertaining and enjoyment. Before you host your first big cookout of the season, it does require a bit of preparation to make that outdoor living space feel welcoming after a long winter and wet spring.

Whether you are looking to be the envy of the neighborhood, attract potential buyers, or simply entertain in your backyard all summer, it starts with a bit of cleanup and sprucing up of your grill, deck or patio.

Get the grill ready

Most of us let what was left on the grill since the last time we used it simply burn off. That is a great start to cleaning, but you should periodically go a step beyond that if you want your grill to last.

• Fire up your grill and let it heat up on high with the lid closed for about 20 minutes. This will burn off any big chunks of food, and then the grates should be easy to clean.
• Turn off the heat and let it cool down to a warmth that will not burn you. Use a grill brush or scrunch up a large, loose ball of aluminum foil and use it like you would a sponge to scrape off remaining food debris.
• Once the grill has cooled further, use some soapy water on any remaining spots. Rinse everything thoroughly and pull the drip pan all the way out and clean it as well.
• Next, remove the cooking grids, flame tamers and any other parts like warming racks. Use the wire brush or aluminum foil ball to brush away any remaining charred debris.
• After the grill is completely cooled off, scrub the underside of the hood and the inside walls with soapy dishwater. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a cloth. Clean the outside as well with a damp cloth.

You are ready for your next big barbeque!

Spruce up your outdoor living space

Get your deck or patio ready for summer entertaining by making it clean, fresh and welcoming.

• Sweep off debris and clean your deck with a power washer. If it is made of wood, determine if it needs to be restained, or use one of the new products that smooths out the wood’s finish so it looks and feels like new (DeckOver at Home Depot is an example).
• Clean patio furniture with soap and water.
• Replace any cushions that show signs of wear and tear.
• Add colorful blooms in a few, strategically placed planters.
• Plant flower beds on the edge of your outdoor living space to add color and interest.
• Invest in citronella candles or tiki torches for those summer nights where the mosquitoes are fierce.
• Invest in some solar powered outdoor lighting to add nighttime beauty and appeal as well as illuminating paths for safety.

When you are chatting with friends and getting ready to fire up the grill at your first big summer barbeque, you don’t want anything looking dirty and grimy. The same is true for your deck or patio. Now is the time to clean and prepare for summer fun and make your home feel welcoming, even from the curb.