Seasoning your new barbecue grill is an essential step before cooking on it. Proper seasoning helps protect the grill grates from rust, provides a non-stick surface, and improves the flavor of your food. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about seasoning a new BBQ grill so you can get the most out of your outdoor cooking experience.
Why Season a New Grill?
Seasoning a new barbecue grill serves a few important purposes:
- Prevent Rust: Most grill grates are made of cast iron or stainless steel, which can develop rust if not properly cared for. Seasoning creates a protective coating to prevent rust.
- Create a Non-Stick Surface: Seasoning fills in the microscopic pores on the metal, helping food release easier when cooking. This prevents food from sticking and makes cleaning easier.
- Enhance Flavor: As oils polymerize onto the grill grates, they impart subtle flavor to foods cooked on the grill. A well-seasoned grill can enhance the flavor of meats, seafood, vegetables and more.
Seasoning a grill before its first use helps get things started on the right foot. Taking the time to do it properly will make cooking on your new grill much more enjoyable.
What You Need to Season a Grill
Seasoning a grill is simple and only requires a few ingredients and tools. Here is what you will need:
Supplies
- Cooking oil – Use a neutral tasting oil with a high smoke point such as canola, vegetable, avocado or grapeseed oil. Avoid olive oil as it can leave a gummy residue.
- Paper towels – For rubbing oil onto the grill grates. Cheesecloth can also be used.
- Soft scrub brush or sponge – For cleaning the grill prior to seasoning. Avoid wire brushes.
- Tongs – Helpful for rubbing oil on the grates once hot.
Safety Equipment
- Oven mitts or grill gloves – For handling the hot grill.
- Eye protection – Oil can splatter and risk getting in your eyes. Safety glasses are recommended.
- Well ventilated area – Only season outdoors as it will produce smoke.
- Fire extinguisher – Always exercise caution around an open flame.
How to Season a New BBQ Grill
Follow these step-by-step instructions for properly seasoning your new barbecue grill:
1. Read All Instructions
Before anything else, read any instructions that came with your particular grill to see if there are specific seasoning requirements. While these general steps work for most grills, manufacturers sometimes have additional recommendations.
2. Clean the Grill
Start by giving the grill a thorough cleaning to remove any residue from manufacturing and transit:
- Remove the grill grates and wash with hot, soapy water. Rinse and dry completely.
- Use a soft scrub brush or sponge to clean the inner grill housing of any debris or dirt.
- Take special care to scrub the underside of the grill lid.
- Rinse away any soapy residue and dry with a clean towel.
3. Fire up the Grill
With the grates removed, ignite your grill on maximum heat for 15-20 minutes with the lid closed. This helps burn off any odors or residue left over from manufacturing.
4. Rub with Oil
Turn the heat to low and use a paper towel or cheesecloth to rub a thin layer of cooking oil over the entire surface of each grill grate. Be generous covering all pores and corners. Use tongs or grill gloves to safely rub oil on hot grates.
5. Heat and Re-oil
Increase heat to medium-high. Place the oiled grates back on the grill and close the lid. Heat for 10 minutes. Open lid, flip grates over, re-oil, then heat another 10 minutes. The grates should start to develop a darker patina as the oil polymerizes.
6. Scrape and Reapply
Use a grill brush to gently scrape any sticky black residue from the grates. Re-oil and let heat 5 minutes more. Repeat brushing, re-oiling and heating 2-3 times until grates have an evenly darkened, shiny surface.
7. Cool and Wipe
Turn grill off and let cool completely. Give the grates a final wipe with a clean paper towel to remove any excess oil. Your grill is now beautifully seasoned and ready for cooking!
Tips for Seasoning a Grill
Follow these helpful tips for getting the most out of seasoning your barbecue grill:
- Use high heat between 400-500°F to properly polymerize the oil onto the grates. Lower temps won’t be as effective.
- Repeat the oiling and heating process 2-3 times to build up layers of seasoning. More layers = better protection.
- Adjust heat as needed to avoid smoking or burnt oil. You want the oil to shimmer and polymerize slowly without burning.
- For stainless steel grates, a very thin coating of oil is best to prevent sticking. Excess oil on stainless steel can leave a gummy residue.
- Re-season your grill when you notice rust developing or if food starts sticking more than normal.
- Avoid acidic sauces or marinades when cooking on a freshly seasoned grill. Wait 1-2 uses before cooking dishes with lemon, vinegar etc.
With a beautifully seasoned grill that has developed a nice patina, you’ll find grilling is more enjoyable and food has better flavor. Just be sure to keep grates clean after each use with a grill brush or scraper to maintain the seasoned surface. Enjoy your new barbecue grill!
Frequently Asked Questions About Seasoning a Grill
What type of oil is best for seasoning a grill?
The best oils for seasoning have a high smoke point and neutral flavor such as refined canola, vegetable, avocado or grapeseed oil. Avoid unrefined virgin oils that can burn and leave a residue.
Can I season a grill with olive oil?
You can, but olive oil has a lower smoke point and its distinctive flavor may come through. Most grill manufacturers recommend more neutral tasting oils.
How often do I need to season my grill?
Only season a grill once before its first use. After that, you just need to repeat the oiling and heating process every month or two, or whenever you notice rusting or sticking.
Is it necessary to season a gas grill?
Yes, it’s still important to season gas grill grates. The protective coating helps prevent rusting and makes cleaning easier.
What about infrared or ceramic grills?
Infrared grills don’t require much seasoning. Ceramic grates shouldn’t be seasoned as oil can clog the porous ceramic. Check your grill manual to be sure.
What if I have porcelain-coated cast iron grates?
Porcelain-coated grates don’t need to be seasoned. Make sure to avoid abrasive cleaners which can damage the porcelain over time.
Can I use PAM cooking spray?
It’s best to avoid aerosol spray oils. They can quickly pool and leave a sticky residue. Rubbing oil on by hand gives a thinner, more even coating.
How do I clean grill grates after seasoning?
Use a grill brush to gently scrape food residue after each use, taking care not to remove the seasoning. Avoid abrasive scouring pads.
What if I have stubborn stuck-on food?
For stubborn stuck-on food, gently scrub with a wet ball of aluminum foil after initially brushing the grill. Avoid scraping tools that can damage the seasoning.
Get Grilling on Your Seasoned BBQ Grill!
Now that you know how to properly season your new barbecue grill, you’re ready to start enjoying delicious grilled food all year long. With a well-seasoned cooking surface, you’ll find that everything from steaks to veggies develop great flavor with beautiful grill marks.
Here are a few tips as you get started grilling on your newly seasoned BBQ:
- Let the grill preheat completely before placing food on it.
- Use a grill brush to quickly scrape the grates clean between cooking different foods.
- Start with quick cooking foods the first few times using a well-seasoned grill.
- Oil or marinate meats and veggies before placing them on the hot grill.
- Grill on medium heat, adjusting higher or lower as needed.
- Allow foods to develop nice char marks before trying to flip them.
- Use tongs or spatulas instead of forks for turning foods on the grill.
- Brush on barbecue sauces only during the last few minutes of grilling to avoid burning.
- Stay nearby and monitor foods carefully as they can go from perfect to burnt quickly.
With your seasoned grill ready for action, it’s time to invite family and friends over for a tasty barbecue feast! Grilling season offers so many possibilities. From juicy burgers and steaks to hot dogs, chicken, fish and veggies, your flavor options are endless. Get creative with marinades and rubs. Try using smoker boxes or wood chips to infuse extra flavor.
The most important tip: have fun and relish the experience! Grilling outdoors on a warm day with great food and good company is what it’s all about. Get ready for your best grilling season yet!