Your Grill Survived Winter—But Does It Need Life Support?

It’s May in Sacramento, which means one thing: grilling season is officially here. But if your grill’s been sitting dormant since last summer, it’s probably not ready to throw that first steak on the rack just yet. Consumer Reports grill expert Paul Hope has spent the season surveying grills battered by winter weather, and his verdict is clear—a little preventive maintenance now beats a safety nightmare later.

The good news? Most of what grills need after months of neglect is totally fixable. The bad news? Ignoring small issues can turn them into serious hazards fast. Problems like faulty igniters, leaking gas lines, and clogged burners might seem minor, but Consumer Reports says they’re worth addressing before you even think about firing things up.

Start with the gas line. Connect your propane tank, open the valve, and spray the line with a mixture of water and dish soap. If you see bubbles forming, you’ve got a leak—and that’s a replacement job, not something to gamble on. While you’re at it, check inside the grill for spider webs and other debris. Hope warns that if those webs ignite when you light up the grill, you’re looking at a real safety risk that’s easily preventable.

Once everything looks clear, light it up and pay attention to the burner flames. Blue and even? You’re golden. Yellow or uneven? That’s a clogged burner. Turn off the gas, let things cool, and try clearing those holes with a toothpick. If that doesn’t work, replacing the burners is your next move. And if your igniter is clicking slowly, not clicking at all, or failing to light the grill entirely, Consumer Reports says don’t procrastinate—replace it immediately. A faulty igniter lets gas build up, which dramatically increases the risk of a dangerous flare-up when ignition finally happens.

Sometimes, though, repairs start piling up faster than you can fix them. If you’re facing major structural damage like a rusted firebox, or if the cost of fixes is creeping toward the price of a new grill, Consumer Reports suggests it might be time to replace the whole unit. For Sacramento grilling enthusiasts in the market for an upgrade, the Napoleon Rogue PRO 425 SIB RP4 Gas Grill stands out—it aced Consumer Reports’performance tests and earned high marks from owners who said they’d recommend it to friends and family.

The bottom line? Spend an afternoon now checking your grill, and you’ll spend your summer actually enjoying it instead of dealing with safety issues or watching flames die mid-cook. Your backyard barbecues will thank you.