Temperatures are falling, leaves are changing, and the grill season is ending. After a long and intense season of backyard parties and barbecues, the cleanup process seems dreadful. Does my grill have to be cleaned? Do I need to remove the charcoal or propane tank? How do I protect my grill while it's stored away? Don't worry, it's not as scary as it seems. The best way to avoid potentially damaging and deteriorating your grill during the months of fall is thoroughly cleaning your grill and properly storing it. However, there are a few things to consider before stowing your grill away.

Grill Storage Preparation

Before anything else, you'll want to start prepping your grill for the fall season by thoroughly cleaning it.

Here are the items you'll need:

• Terry Cloth
• Glass Cleaner
• Sponge
• Soap and water
• Protective Gloves
• Bottle of BBQ Cleaner
• Stainless Steel Grill Brush
• Cooking Oil
• Plastic Bag

_{PRO Stainless Steel Grill Brush by Napoleon.}

Charcoal Grills

 Exterior

• Begin with lathering the grill's exterior with soap and water. Use the sponge to wipe in circular motions to activate the soap solution and disinfect the surface. Rinse with warm water and allow to air-dry.
• To remove any build-up of grease, stains, or dust, spray some glass cleaner directly onto the area and wipe off the residue with the terry cloth.

 Interior

• Once the outside of the grill has air-dried, the interior cleaning is next. Cleaning your charcoal grill thoroughly is extremely important before storage. Over time, these grills develop deposits on the interior surface of the grill caused by moisture and grease.
• In order to reduce these deposits, it's recommended to clean the inside of your grill on a regular basis (yes, that includes cleaning it up after every use!) While your grill is still warm (and not hot), simply take a damp towel and wipe down the interior to remove food particles and grease buildup.
• The next important step is to clean the grill grates. Some grates are constructed of cast iron and some are constructed of stainless steel. Considering this, you need to take appropriate steps into cleaning your grates according to the material your grates are made from.
• For stainless-steel grill grates, use your stainless-steel grill brush to scrub each burner individually. Brush the ports up and down instead of left to right to avoid pushing debris from one port to the other.
• Here is where you will need your stainless-steel grill brush and BBQ Cleaner. Spray down the grates with the BBQ cleaner and use the grill brush to scrub down the grates. Then, remove the remaining residue down with the soap and water and sponge.
• For cast iron grates, it is imperative to brush your grates immediately after cooking and rub with cooking oil while still warm.
• For the grill base, a built-in system for removing ashes and food particles may be included in your grill model. If there isn't, make sure to check out your owner's manual for instructions on how to remove these components. Then, use a grill brush with BBQ cleaner to make the bottom of your grill squeaky clean.

Gas Grills

• Begin the cleaning process of your gas grill by wiping down the exterior with lukewarm soap solution and sponge. Once the water has dried, use the BBQ cleaner and terry cloth for cleaning stainless steel components with a back and forth motion.

 Interior

• Food particles and grease buildup can flake off and collect towards the lid's interior. To prevent this, brush the carbonized grease deposits off with the stainless-steel brush and use BBQ cleaner if needed. Then, take your soap and water and rinse off. If you notice any additional stains or marks, repeat this step with warm water and your terry cloth to remove leftover residue.
• To clean the cook box of your gas grill, use a grill brush to scrub away excess debris and grease from the tray. Next, remove the tray and toss out the debris.
• To remove any remaining debris, turn the burners on high for 15 minutes. After this, the leftover bits will now be ash and can easily be scrubbed off with your grill brush.
• Lastly, rinse with soap and water and dry with your terry cloth and you're all done!

_{Pictured from left to right: Napoleon LEX 485 Series Grill Cover, Napoleon LEX 605 Built-In Grill Cover.}

Storage

• First, lightly coat all cooking surfaces with cooking oil. Rub down the interior and exterior surfaces with a paper towel. This prevents moisture buildup that causes mold and mildew that can be detrimental to your grill's function.
• Inspect your grill for loose bolts and damaged or worn parts. Keep in mind for any fittings and components that may require future replacement or repair over the fall season so that you're not rushing to find it before your next outdoor barbecue.
• It's necessary to cover your grill with a grill cover for protection against rain, snow, bugs, and critters that could potentially cause harm to your grill. Some grill covers include vents to prevent moisture build-up over time!

 Gas Grills

• For gas grills using propane it's important to make sure that you shut off the gas from the tank and unfasten the burner.
• Next, remove the gas tubes from the gas lines and lift the unit out from the grill's base. Refer to your owner's manual to ensure that you do these steps correctly and safely.
• It's fundamental to prevent moisture build-up over the season because moisture can cause corrosion and oxidation. You may want to consider lightly coating the burner and other metal components with cooking oil.
• Next, to prevent bugs from nesting inside the tubes over the fall you will want to wrap the burner unit in a simple plastic bag from the grocery store.
• For grills with propane tanks, disconnect the tank and store away in an upright position in a safe place away from any gas furnace, water heater, or dryer.
• NEVER store a propane tank indoors, propane tanks should be stored outside the house in a cool and well-ventilated area.
• It's crucial to make sure you pick up a grill cover to make sure that your grill stays protected against rain, snow, hail, bugs, and critters.

Grilling is all about spending time with friends and family and enjoying the outdoors, but a little maintenance here and there can go a long way. Prepping your grill for the fall keeps your investment in the best condition possible, therefore, allowing you to get the most of your grilling experience. With proper care and precaution, your grill will be ready to pick up right where you left off last grilling season. For assistance with fall grill prep and storage, call our friendly team at (855) 578-5450, utilize the live chat feature on our site, or email us by filling out this simple form.