-Outdoor kitchens are at their glory during the hot summer months. When the day cools down, outdoor cooking, eating, and visiting with friends and family leave some of the best memories. The team from Wildhorse Propane & Appliances, the propane provider for Castroville and surrounding communities, has some tips to help make sure those memories are all pleasant.
Before loading up the patio refrigerator and firing up the grill, check any propane cylinders for any damage that may have occurred while being stored over the winter. Then check all of the connections between the cylinder, or main propane tank, and the appliances.
Check the hose for cracks and other damage. Check for leaks by spraying soapy water onto the hose and connections and turning on the propane. If the soap solution bubbles, the connections are loose. Tighten the connections and test again. If the connections can’t be hand-tightened sufficiently, attention is needed to either repair or replace the hoses, and perhaps the propane cylinder.
Give yourself plenty of time to test and get set up before the first big outdoor get-together. As soon as the propane source and connections are in good working order, send out the invitations! Even better, have a test cookout to sample new recipes, hone the grill master skills, and be sure everything is working in top order.
What makes a top grill master
Top grill masters have flawless processes from preparing the propane and grill to the recipes and serving up mouthwatering food. But once in a while, the urge to change up the food comes along.
Delicious new recipes can be found on the Internet, in the cooking section of bookstores, in magazines, by asking friends, and by testing and customizing recipes. One thing that cannot change, advises the Castroville propane delivery team, is safety.
To make sure everyone has a safe, enjoyable time:
- Keep the grilling area free of clutter, children, and pets.
- Have a fire extinguisher handy.
- Start with a clean grill, countertops, and a chilled refrigerator and cooler.
- Don’t fire up the grill until the connections have been checked and are working properly.
- Know where the safety valves are and how they work.
- Keep a nose out for leaks. On very hot days, a tank might release small amounts of propane, but when the smell of rotten eggs (ethyl mercaptan) is obvious, turn off the propane. Make sure the area is well ventilated.
- Know the shut-off procedures for the propane supply.
- Have an evacuation plan ready.
When the season is over
Grilling season is never over in California. There may be short breaks during the rains or exceptionally cold days, but for the most part, someone in California is grilling outdoors every day, somewhere.
When the grill master takes a break, properly stowing propane canisters and closing down the outdoor kitchen are priorities, and part of preparing for the next time the kitchen opens.
- Maintain appliances and make sure they are appropriately protected from the weather.
- Store propane canisters and disposable canisters in a well-ventilated, shaded area, out of direct sunlight, away from heat sources. Heat causes propane to expand and increase pressure inside the tank.
- Store canisters upright, and don’t wrap them or cover them with insulating materials.
- If the main propane tank is the source of fuel for the outdoor kitchen, schedule a seasonal safety check with the Castroville propane team on the next delivery.
Updating the outdoor kitchen
Wildhorse Propane & Appliance has been serving the propane needs for all of Monterey County, and significant portions of San Luis Obispo, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties since 1980. A local, family-owned business based in King City, in Monterey County’s fertile Salinas Valley, the company’s services include:
- Propane delivery to residences, businesses, industry, and agricultural operations.
- Underground gas line installations and repairs.
- Propane system troubleshooting, maintenance, and repairs.
- New propane tank delivery and installations.
- Appliance sales, delivery, and installation from leading brands for refrigeration/freezers, ovens, stovetops, grills, dishwashers, laundry, heating and air conditioning, ventilation, and more.
When it’s time for new outdoor kitchen appliances, or any appliance, visit the showroom, get answers to every question, and be ready for the delivery and installation of new appliances!
Wildhorse Propane & Appliance
50557 Wildhorse Road
King City, CA, 93930
(831) 385-4827
