Serious grillers can smell the approach of grilling season like the Stark family from HBO’s Game of Thrones can smell winter coming. But, the Starks don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for battle, and you shouldn’t wait for your first cookout to prep for grilling season. Instead, check out these helpful tips to get ahead of the game and be ready for a season of fun.

Preparing the Grill:

Safety first. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an average of 8,800 home fires are started by grills each year. If you haven’t used the grill in a while, it’s important to check the major connection points between the propane hose and where the hose connects to the burners. This helpful video from the NFPA will show you how. If all connections are solid, check your propane levels and give the grill a test run to ensure everything is running properly.

Be a Felix, not an Oscar. Clean your grill, inside and out. Dust off those spider webs and make the outside shine with a little soap and water. Wash the grill grates with soapy water and a SABER® grill brush. Bristles from wire brushes can fall off when cleaning and cause serious injury if ingested. SABER’s Cool Touch Grill Brush has nylon bristles that stay attached, last longer and clean safer. Check under your SABER® grill grate, where the infrared heat is produced, and clean in-between the crevices to unclog build-up. To keep your grill clean and avoid massive gunk build-up over time, see our earlier post on how to clean your grill.

Preparing Yourself:

Spice things up. Instead of grilling the same old thing, take your grilling skills to the next level and make each month unique. Challenge yourself by grilling new food, experimenting with different spices or marinades and trying new tools. Invite people over for a classic cookout or grill unusual foods like watermelon, avocados or lemonade. The possibilities are endless. The only limit is your imagination.

Outdoor living. Generally, it’s a good idea to have an open, uncluttered area for grilling to avoid tripping and sending a plate full of burgers skyward. But first, do some remodeling. Is your outdoor area appealing? Organize and personalize your outdoor area and make grilling a desirable experience, not a chore. Is your grill shoved into an ugly corner of the yard? Pull it out into an open area, set up furniture and lights, build a mini bar, drape a canopy over a central outdoor eating space—whatever it takes to make your personal outdoor area shine. Don’t know where to start? Get our top tips for designing your outdoor kitchen.

The little things. What else has to be ready for grill season? Make sure knives are sharpened and have all the pans and utensils you need in a convenient spot. Check your grill utensils for wear and replace, if necessary. Stock the pantry with a variety of spices for seasoning different foods. Buy a meat thermometer to ensure safe cooking temperatures. These small tasks will help everything run smoothly, so you can enjoy stress-free grilling.

Follow these tips and you’ll tackle grilling season like a seasoned pro, getting the most out of your grill.

Happy Grilling, everyone!