It’s a sad fact that in the UK our barbecues can spend more time under cover than in use, thanks to our unpredictable climate. Rawgarden.co.uk, the leading website from which to buy barbecues and garden furniture, has tips on how you can you ensure your barbecue is in tip-top condition no matter how long it has languished under cover.

The first thing to ensure is that your barbecue is kept clean all year-round. Too many people rely on the heat from the coals to burn off the residue of food and fat from the last time the barbecue was used – disgusting but true! Not only is this unhygienic and a potential hotbed for germs, but it’s also going to do no good for the long-term maintenance of your barbecue. Relying on the heat of the barbecue to burn off food remains does work, but only directly after you have used it to cook that food. Allowing it to cool and storing it away with the residue still on the grate will make it very difficult to remove by heat alone next time.

Clean the grates of charcoal barbecues as soon as the coals have died down, when the grate is still warm. Then you can use a brass grill brush to clear off any food remains before washing the grate with warm soapy water. The grates of gas barbecues should be brushed down in the same way, but as you will also need to brush down the flavouriser bars, you will need a long-handled barbecue brush to protect your hands from the heat as you clean. It’s best to put oil on the grill once it has heated up to avoid the food sticking to it in the first place.

Don’t forget to also clean the burner tubes of any residue, using a steel brush and only cleaning upwards and downwards. This will help the burners to maintain an even heat. The bottom tray of your barbecue collects the most grease so use a plastic scraper to clear the build-up each time it is used before washing it with warm soapy water. Work surfaces and warming racks should not be forgotten either; a fine steel wool scouring pad works wonders on warming racks but be careful not to scratch any porcelain areas on control panels, etc. Never use abrasive pads such as these on stainless steel areas as they are too harsh and will scratch the surface. Finally, wipe off any grease or marks from the body of the barbecue, not forgetting the inside of the lid and places that are hard to reach. Grease left on the body of the barbecue over time can damage the paintwork. Never use oven cleaner as this can also harm the paintwork. After each use, charcoal barbecues should always be emptied of ashes once they have cooled down, as the ash absorbs moisture which can cause the barbecue to rust.

Once you have ensured that your barbecue is completely clean for its next use, don’t spoil all of your careful maintenance by storing it improperly. Barbecues need to be kept away from any moist conditions at all if you are to avoid rust, so not only should you ensure that it is in a covered area (ideally a garage or shed) but also that it is in a weather cover. Rawgarden.co.uk features a range of garden furniture covers including barbecue weather covers, as well as barbecue cleaning equipment and barbecue accessories. Stock up on the right cleaning and maintenance equipment and follow this care guide and your barbecue will perform fantastically for years to come and at the drop of the hat – as soon as the sun comes out!

Rawgarden is not only the best place to buy bbqs and the accessories to keep them in great condition, but it is the premier online resource for everything you could want to make the most out of your outside space, from sun loungers and garden parasols to picnic tables and garden benches. To see the full range, visit www.rawgarden.co.uk.