When the last backyard cookout of the year wraps up, don’t just shove your grill into storage without a second thought.

Here’s why it’s worth the effort: Make sure your grill does a proper cool-down before cleaning. For gas grills, disconnect the propane tank or fuel source as a safety precaution. 2.

Clean the cooking grates with a wire grill brush or curly steel scour pad before adding food to the grill—when the coals are the hottest. Wipe the remaining soot and debris from the grates with ...