Winter is approaching sooner than we may realize, bringing with it the challenges of navigating snowy roads, shoveling driveways, and clearing off cars. These seasonal tasks are often met with a sense of reluctance as we prepare for the impending cold.
As winter approaches, it's customary to ready ourselves by ensuring essentials are in place, such as having an ice scraper in the car and making shovels easily accessible for the morning routine before school. Winter rituals extend to tasks like closing the pool and stowing away patio furniture.
However, one crucial aspect that often slips our minds is our BBQ. Many individuals close the lid for the season, forgetting about the BBQ until warmer weather returns. What might not be commonly known are the potential risks associated with neglecting this essential winter preparation, and we're here to shed light on these concerns.
Maintaining Your BBQ
Before covering your BBQ for the winter, it is imperative to initiate the process by thoroughly cleaning it. Remove excess grease, grime, and any leftover food particles. Pay special attention to cleaning the grease tray in the lower cabinet of your BBQ.
This cleaning process is crucial because leftover food and grease remnants can attract unwanted visitors such as rodents and animals, including mice, rats, squirrels, and, in some cases, raccoons and opossums.
Unwanted Visitors
When these rodents find their way into your BBQ during the winter, they tend to cause numerous problems that become evident come springtime. For rodents, a BBQ offers a safe, dry, and undisturbed space where they can build nests, leaving behind droppings and more. They may also chew on wires within your BBQ, potentially causing performance issues with the ignition system, accessory lights, and other components.
Leaving grease, grime, and food remnants in the BBQ serves as the main attraction for these animals, providing them with a ready food source during the winter.
Ways to Prevent Visitors
Thoroughly Clean Your BBQ: Ensure all grease, grime, and food residue are removed before covering.
Store Your BBQ Indoors: Consider placing your BBQ in a shed or garage for added protection.
Invest in a Quality BBQ Cover: Use a cover and secure the included strap tightly around the bottom to deter rodents from accessing the BBQ.
By adhering to these steps, not only will you protect your BBQ and enjoy a hassle-free experience in the spring, but you'll also extend the lifespan of your BBQ by preventing moisture-induced rust.