Many homes feature outdoor ovens designed for warm-weather feasts. After all, who would not enjoy a sunny day or balmy evening outdoors with good food and good friends? With springtime just around the corner, homeowners are preparing their outdoor spaces for entertaining. In addition to getting the garden, yard, and deck in order, they should get their outdoor ovens ready for first use.
A well-constructed outdoor oven made from brick requires very little maintenance. Annual inspection of the exterior will reveal whether any cracks have developed during the winter. These cracks should be repaired because water can permeate the oven and cause damage over time. If general masonry techniques are not a skill, contact a chimney professional. This individual will perform the repairs and may recommend sealing the brick.
After the oven is patched and treated, it may require power washing to remove dirt and grime from the bricks. Some people use their outdoor ovens all year, causing these areas to become very dirty. A quick power wash will have the bricks looking like new and prevent buildup from presenting a fire risk, making the area a safer place.
If the oven grates were not cleaned after last season, turn on the oven, warm the grates, and scrub them with a wire brush. A stainless steel brush is designed for cast iron grates and a brass wire brush should be used on stainless steel grates. Once the grates are clean and dry, coat them with cooking spray. Clean the grates and reapply cooking spray after each use.
Keeping the grates clean and addressing leaks will extend the lifetime of an outdoor oven. If soot builds up in the oven chimney, a chimney sweep can remove it without damaging oven components. This reduces the risk of chimney fires, keeping the oven as safe as possible for everyone enjoying the great outdoors.