I fired up my grill on the first warm Saturday in April a few years ago. The flame was weak. The grates were coated in rust and old chicken. A spider had built a condo inside the burner tubes. I cooked on it anyway. The burgers tasted like regret.

Now I spend thirty minutes getting the grill ready before the first cookout of the year. The food tastes better. The grill lights on the first click. Nobody gets spider-flavored steak.

Start With the Burner Tubes

If you have a gas grill, check the burner tubes before anything else. Spiders love building nests in the small holes where gas comes out. A blocked burner means uneven flame, flare-ups, or no ignition at all.

Remove the cooking grates and the metal flavorizer bars or heat shields underneath. You will see the burner tubes. Use a dry wire brush or a pipe cleaner to clear each hole. Do not use water — moisture in the tubes causes rust and can interfere with gas flow later.

My first grill had a burner tube blocked so thoroughly that only one side lit. I cooked everything on half the grill for an entire summer before a neighbor showed me how to clean it. I felt incredibly stupid. Do not be me.

Clean the Grates the Right Way

Preheat the grill on high for fifteen minutes with the lid closed. The heat carbonizes old food residue. Then scrub with a grill brush while the grates are still hot. The carbonized gunk scrapes off easily.

If the grates are rusty, scrub them with a ball of crumpled aluminum foil held with tongs. The foil is abrasive enough to remove surface rust without damaging cast iron.

Oil the grates after cleaning. Dip a paper towel in vegetable oil, hold it with tongs, and wipe the hot grates. This seasons them and prevents food from sticking during your first cook.

The Propane Check That Prevents Ruined Dinners

Lift the propane tank. If it feels light, get it refilled before guests arrive. Nothing is worse than running out of gas halfway through a cookout. I have done this. The hot dogs finished but the burgers did not. The grill became a warming tray.

Check the gas line connection with soapy water. Mix dish soap and water, brush it onto the connection and hose, then turn on the gas without lighting. If you see bubbles forming, you have a leak. Tighten the connection or replace the hose.