We've had Memorial Day circled on the calendar. For many people, it's the start of summer, the start of grilling season, shoot, the start of being outside all the time. So there's no better way to kick it all off with a cold beverage and a hot PK Grill. We're going to use this blog post as a quick primer on getting ready and being prepared for any party.

1.) Getting Ready: Cleaning the PK

The PK Grill will last a life time, so it's up to you to make sure you're keeping it clean. First thing's first though -- don't try to clean it while it's still hot. Make sure you check for any hot embers before you start. After that, separate the lid from the bottom of the grill, remove the grates and then dump any ash and leftover debris into the trash. Then, go ahead and put the grill bottom next to the lid. 

At this point, let's talk briefly about abrasives and chemicals. They're not always so good for the cast aluminum PK. We recommend a simple degreaser, like Simple Green, to be sprayed on the grill, and then hosed off shortly after for removal.

After that, go ahead and reassemble the grill and let it burn hot for about an hour, to burn off any chemical residue. The PK will look great. 

2.) Bringing the Heat: Charcoal.

Do you have a charcoal chimney? We like 'em. They help speed up the process, and make everything move so much more efficiently. Speaking of speed, one of the most important things I've learned since grilling is to be patient. Let the coals in the chimney ignite. Let the grey smoke turn clear. After you pour the charcoal out in the grill, close the lid, open your vents and let the grill heat up. This can make a huge difference. Be sure you're watching our PK Basics videos if you're just starting out. As far as what type of charcoal to use, we like briquettes for low and slow applications because you can portion it out and we use lump for hot and fast cooks because it tends to burn hotter.

3.) Being Prepared: The Thermometer

Speaking of patience, a little help with determining temperature can go a long way in making the perfect meal. Everyone is high on the Thermapen, and for good reason -- they're great!  But if you don't need instant temperature reads, the Thermopop is a great deal. If you want to know approximately the temperature inside the PK, just put the tip of the Thermopop inside a vent. 

4.) Bring Your Friends:

One of the best parts of having a PK Grill is that other PK Grill owners want to talk about it. There's a great community of experience and social grillers who want to share tips and help others have the best grilling experience. Find them on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts, and don't be afraid to share what you're doing this weekend. We've been looking forward to it.