Few things define summer like firing up the grill and entertaining in your backyard. But come fall and winter, it's just too cold for most people to enjoy going outside to sear perfect grill marks in their steaks. 

Weather in your inbox

Forecast Location

Sign Up

By signing up you agree to the Terms & Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

But in order to keep your grill in tip-top shape for grilling season next year, there are some important steps to take now. Make sure your grill weathers the winter with these simple tips.

Cleaning

Before your grill goes into hibernation, you need to clean it thoroghly. Don't let burnt bits of food linger on the grates for six months—you won't like the clean-up required when you start flipping burgers next year. 

"Be sure you've given the grates a good scrubbing," Janet Taylor McCracken, test kitchen director for Rachael Ray Every Day, told weather.com. "This can be done with a classic grill scrubber or with a large piece of tin foil crumpled up into a ball. If you've got a charcoal grill, empty out all the ashes and give the kettle a simple wiping out." 

Storing

Storage is key to keeping a grill in good shape during harsher winter weather when you're not using it. "If you have indoor space, it's best to move it there," McCracken said. "If not, under an eave or in any covering to protect from the elements that can cause rusting."

In addition to storing your grill in an area protected from the elements, the cooking expert advised covering it as well. "Most companies have covers made to fit their grills," she said. "If you don't have one, a water-proof tarp should work—just be sure to secure it over the grill with some rope."

 Tools

The grill isn't the only thing that needs some TLC in winter months—your grilling tools do, too. According to McCracken, "winter weather can be rough on them, especially if you've got tools with wooden handles."

She recommends storing them indoors during the winter. And just as you would with your grill, give them a good cleaning first. 

"If you've got wooden handles, give them a quick wipe down with food-safe mineral oil," McCracken said. She also suggests evaluating the state of your tools and replacing any if it's time to get a fresh one. Do this now and you won't be in a bind when your first barbecue rolls around next year. 

If You Want to Keep Grilling

If you, like McCracken, like to keep grilling no matter the weather, it's important to know what the limitations can be. For one, she said, "it takes longer." Colder weather isn't optimal for slow smoking anything on the grill—"[it's] pretty tough to accomplish since it's hard to maintain the temperature when the grill is surrounded with freezing temperatures." But that doesn't mean everything is off limits. 

"Build a bigger fire or turn the heat up higher than normal on a gas grill," McCracken said. "If you want to grill a steak, some chicken or fish, or a bunch of veggies, it works great."