Off-Season Grill Care in Los Angeles

Most of LA's rain falls between roughly November and March, often in a handful of storms rather than steady drizzle. Inland valleys get cool nights. The coast stays mild but damp, and late spring brings the marine layer that locals call May Gray and June Gloom. Fall and winter are Santa Ana season, with dry wind and, in bad years, ash. And because it never gets truly cold, insects and rodents stay active year-round.

So the question isn't how to shut the grill down for winter. It's whether you'll keep using it, and if not, how to keep it from becoming a nest or a rust project while it waits.

Rain itself isn't a big threat to a well-made grill. The problems are water that pools and stays. Check that the island's countertop slopes slightly away from the grill, that water isn't sitting in the grill's drip tray or inside the cabinet, and that the grease drain path isn't clogged, which can send rainwater and old grease into the island. After a storm, open cabinet doors on a dry day to let them air out.

Near the coast, damp mornings matter more than storms. The marine layer leaves the grill wet with salty condensation day after day. A breathable cover and a monthly wipe-down of the stainless keep that in check. Our coastal care guide covers it.

With mild temperatures year-round, an idle grill in LA is attractive real estate. Two problems come up constantly:

• Rodents. Mice and rats nest in island cabinets, under grease trays and inside warming drawers, and they chew wiring and hoses. Leftover grease is the draw. Clean grills attract far fewer. See mice and rats in your grill.
• Spiders. Some spiders are attracted to the smell of the odorant in gas and build webs inside burner tubes. A blocked tube can cause a fire behind the control panel the next time you light it. See spiders in burner tubes.

If the grill is sitting, lift the cover and look inside the cabinet every few weeks. Droppings, shredded insulation or nesting material mean you have visitors.

Winter is a quiet time for grill service and a smart time to schedule a deep cleaning or inspection, so the grill is clean while it rests and ready when the weather warms. It's also a good window for bigger work like a restoration or a replacement, so you're not waiting on parts in June.