Summer is right around the corner and you know what that means. It’s time to get your patio ready for some cookouts! After months of sitting out in the weather, there are a few crucial areas you will need to take care of before you fire up the grill for family and friends. A little bit of ‘do it yourself’ maintenance here and there can get your outdoor kitchen through these next few summer months with ease. We at Premier Appliance of Augusta want to share some of our favorite DIY tips with you so that you can keep your outdoor kitchen in top shape!
Step 1: Assess Your Outdoor Kitchen
As with the maintenance of any other home appliance, how hard you worked in the past few months to keep your outdoor kitchen clean and well maintained determines how much work it will take to get it ready for summer. Take a look around your outdoor patio and consider how the winter weather was this past year for the area that you live in and how it may have effected your outdoor kitchen. Was the area fully sheltered from rain, snow, hail, and direct sunlight? If you experienced extreme cold temperatures this past winter, are all the pipes and/or hoses still in good enough condition to be used? Or should they be replaced first? Lastly, keep an eye out for any warping or discoloration on your cabinets and countertops.
After assessing the current condition of your outdoor kitchen, you’re hopefully ready to start cleaning! Of course, if your outdoor kitchen needs some pre-summer maintenance first, we can step in and help you out.
Step 2: Get to Cleaning!
Now that you likely know what you’re getting into, it’s time to start cleaning! An easy place to start is with your countertops. Depending on what type of countertops you have, you can take a few different approaches here. A little bit of soap and warm water with a wash cloth goes a long way! Avoid abrasive sponges or scrubbers. If you have a decent amount of grime buildup you want to tackle, consider a mild detergent or cleaner marketed for granite, stainless steel, stone, or whatever surface you are cleaning. Take this time to wipe down your appliances as well!
Before you use your grill, you’ll want to give it a deep clean as well. Make sure to vacuum and wipe out any dirt, dust, or other seasonal debris. Pay close attention around the burners so that nothing catches fire later! Afterwards, you can keep a metal brush handy for maintenance throughout the year.
Step 3: Maintain
After cleaning your outdoor kitchen, you will want to maintain all of the work that you did throughout the rest of the summer! After each use, let your grill cool down and then be sure to keep it covered so that it doesn’t corrode. Do the same with your patio furniture! No one likes to sit on dirty or rusty chairs while they’re eating or socializing.
Additionally, to keep dust and dirt on your chairs and countertops to a minimum, consider mowing the lawn with a bag attached to your mower. This will keep debris from flying around everywhere. If grass clippings or leaves still manage to escape, simply sweep them away and wipe down the area to avoid stains.
Step 4: Call Premier Appliance for Extra Assurance
Outdoor kitchen maintenance during those hot summer months can be dreadful. It doesn’t have to be! Premier Appliance of Augusta handles repairs and installations for outdoor kitchens and many other appliances within your home. With our trained, knowledgeable, and fully equipped team, you should feel confident that you never have to do without. Call us today for outdoor kitchen repairs and more. Start Summer 2025 off right!
