It’s BBQ Time!

Is it Time for a New One?
Or a Safety Check on Old Reliable

The events of the last 6 months seem to have compressed time so much that we have hardly realized that spring is upon us. Now is the time to either consider a new BBQ or make sure that the old one is still in good shape if we have put it away for the winter.

However when we start to look at the prices on those new stainless steel units that are now de riguer, we might want to stick with the old one rather than admit to our neighbors that we are not ready to pop for $500 or more for a current model.

Well, if you do decide to keep the old one there are some very inexpensive things that you should consider if you have a propane tank grill and especially if you have a propane tank.

If your tank is four years old, it may not have the safety feature that prevents overfill. You may also be in for a surprise when you go to fill it and discover that the propane company will not accept it, because of age or the potential of leaks due to rust.  At that point you might be stuck and pay as premium for a new tank on the spot. Replace it ahead of time potential sale prices, Further since the new overfill feature only allows you to fill the tank 80% full, you should absolutely consider owning two tanks. This protects you against running out of fuel in the middle of a party. But just as important, it will pay for itself in about a year because the minimum charge is almost double what you can put into a single tank.

Remember to always keep your tanks upright. Never store the spare near your grill, inside the house or in a hot car. Keep the valve closed at all times until you are ready to use the BBQ. Open the valve before the first use for a few minutes to detect a leak. Make sure the ignition unit is working so that excess gas is not released before ignition. If you discover that it isn’t working, you may find that replacing it or repairing it is a difficult job.

Then you should buy an inexpensive long handle butane lighter (They are less than $3) to apply immediately when you open the line into the BBQ. You will also find them handy for lighting fireplaces and pilot lights on water heaters.