How to Properly Care for a Propane Grill With Cast Iron Grates

A good propane grill can last for years, but if yours has cast iron grates, proper care is absolutely essential. Cast iron delivers excellent heat retention and beautiful grill marks—as long as it’s maintained correctly. Without the right upkeep, it can rust, chip, and lose its nonstick seasoning. Fortunately, caring for your grill isn’t complicated once you know the steps.

Below is a simple, practical guide to keeping your propane grill and cast iron grates in top shape all year long.

1. Preheat Before Every Use

Before cooking, turn your burners on high, close the lid, and let the grill heat up for 10–15 minutes.

Why it matters:

• Burns off leftover residue

• Helps prevent sticking

• Gives cast iron time to expand, which protects the seasoning

Once preheated, brush the grates clean.

2. Clean Your Grates Properly

A clean grate cooks better, lasts longer, and reduces the risk of flare-ups.

Best tools:

• A stiff grill brush (steel or brass)

• A scraper/tool for stubborn debris

• A paper towel or rag with oil

Steps:

1. Preheat the grill.

2. Brush the grates thoroughly.

3. If anything is stuck, use a scraper once the metal is hot.

4. Wipe lightly with a high-smoke-point oil (canola, grapeseed, peanut).

Avoid detergent or soapy water on cast iron unless you plan to fully reseason afterward.

3. Season the Grates Regularly

Seasoning protects cast iron from rust and gives you a natural nonstick surface.

How to season:

1. After brushing the hot grates, turn the heat to medium.

2. Apply a thin, even layer of oil using a cloth or paper towel.

3. Let it heat for 5–10 minutes until the oil bakes in and looks smooth and shiny.

4. Turn off the grill and let it cool.

Do this every few cooks, or anytime the grates look dull or dry.

4. Deep Clean the Grill Every Few Months

A propane grill accumulates grease and carbon buildup, which affects performance and safety.

Deep-clean steps:

Grates:

• Remove them and scrub with a stiff brush.

• If rusted, scrub with steel wool, rinse, dry completely, and reseason.

Burners:

• Remove the burner covers.

• Brush off debris and make sure the holes aren't clogged (use a toothpick or thin wire).

Grease tray:

• Empty the tray.

• Wash with hot soapy water (this part is fine—it's not cast iron).

Interior surfaces:

• Scrape carbon buildup with a putty knife.

• Wipe down with warm water, then dry.

5. Prevent Rust—The #1 Enemy of Cast Iron

Moisture is the fastest path to rust. Protect your investment by:

• Keeping the grill covered when not in use

• Storing grates indoors during long off-season periods

• Reseasoning after any deep cleaning

• Never leaving grates wet after washing

If you notice rust, don’t panic. Scrub it off, rinse, dry completely, and reseason.

6. Check Your Propane System

A safe grill is a happy grill. Periodically inspect:

• Hoses for cracks

• Fittings for leaks (brush soapy water and look for bubbles)

• Tank condition

• Burners for uneven flames

If you smell gas while cooking, turn everything off immediately and investigate before relighting.

7. Store It Properly During Off-Season

If you don’t grill year-round:

• Give the grates a thick coat of oil

• Wrap them in parchment or a towel and store indoors

• Cover the grill with a high-quality, weather-resistant cover

• Disconnect and remove the propane tank (store it outdoors)

Final Thoughts

A propane grill with cast iron grates is one of the most satisfying tools for backyard cooking, but it needs consistent care. A few minutes before and after each use—plus occasional deep cleaning—will keep your grill running hot, clean, and rust-free for many seasons.

Make This Holiday Season Effortless — and Delicious — with Scott’s Catering & Grill

Why Holiday Parties Deserve Extra Care

The holidays bring together friends, families, teams and clients — and with that comes high expectations, busy calendars, and the need for stress-free, memorable gatherings. At Scott’s Catering & Grill, we believe your holiday party shouldn’t just be “another event” — it should be a highlight of the season. Our guiding promise: bring warmth and flavor to your holiday event.

5 Ways We Support Your Holiday Party Planning

1. Fully customizable menus

Whether you’re feeding 50 or 500+, whether your crowd prefers classic comfort or bold BBQ flavors, we have options. From hand-trimmed tri-tip and grilled chicken to pulled pork and scratch-made sides. Our team will work with you to pick the right mix:

• Proteins (grilled, smoked, roasted)

• Sides that support holiday flavor but remain crowd-friendly

• Vegetarian/vegan options (we can discuss!)

• Dessert offerings to round things out nicely

2. Flexible service styles to match your atmosphere

Depending on your space and guest flow, we can adjust our flow with a combination of our buffet-style for a relaxed feel and served stations.
We’ll help you identify:

• Guest count and timing

• Venue layout and how food/service should flow

• Which style best supports mingling, networking or family-friendly modes

3. Full event support: setup, service, and cleanup

You can focus on enjoying your event; we focus on delivering. Our experienced team handles the logistics so you don’t have to worry about the food table, replenishing sides, or clearing away.
That means:

• Arrive on-site and set up the food stations

• Provide service staff as needed

• Monitor flow and timing (ensuring no one waits too long)

• Clean up afterwards so you don’t deal with leftovers or cabinets full of catering trays

4. Ideal for both corporate and family holiday gatherings

Whether it’s a year-end company party, client appreciation event, family reunion or friends-giving, we’ve got you covered. According to our site: “Bringing warmth and flavor to your holiday events … from savory grilled meats to comforting sides and customizable holiday menus” describes our approach.
We understand the range of needs:

• For corporate: professional presentation, tight timing, dietary accommodations

• For family/friend groups: relaxed vibe, ample portions, kid-friendly sides

• For mixed groups: a balance of elegance and comfort

5. Local expertise and reliability

Serving Ogden, North Ogden, Roy, Layton, Clearfield, Bountiful and the Wasatch Front, we’re familiar with local venues, event rhythms and service expectations.
With over 20 years of experience, you benefit from:

• A proven team who has done this many times before

• Local sourcing, fresh ingredients and distance-friendly delivery

• Flexibility based on local weather, parking, venue access etc

Holiday Party Planning Checklist

To help you get started, here’s a short checklist to partner with us smoothly:

• Pick the date & time: Book early, especially for mid-December evenings which fill up fast.

• Estimate guest count: We recommend doing a “likely” vs “maximum” number so you can plan menu tiers.

• Define service style: Do you have a theme or specific flow in mind?

• Set dietary needs: Let us know ahead of time about vegetarians, vegans, allergies, gluten-free guests.

• Venue logistics: Is there adequate space? What’s the layout? Access for our staff?

• Pick menu items: Work with us to select mains, sides, dessert; we’ll make suggestions.

• Plan timing: When do you want food on site, when should guests begin eating, when should cleanup happen?

• Communicate budget and expectations: We’ll help you align menu and service level with your budget so there are no surprises.

• Enjoy the event: Once the food is flowing, relax and mingle — we’ve got it covered.

Why Choose Scott’s?

• Trusted locally, with decades of experience.

• Generous, crowd-pleasing portions that keep guests satisfied.

• Customizable menus — no “one size fits all” cookie-cutter.

• Service that handles more than just food: setup → service → cleanup.

• Commitment to making your event stress-free and memorable.

Final Thoughts

This holiday season, skip the stress of slaving over the stove, tracking last-minute grocery runs, or worrying about whether your guests are “fed and happy”. Let Scott’s Catering & Grill bring the flavor, quality, and service while you focus on laughter, conversation and celebration.

Ready to make your holiday party something everyone remembers for the right reasons? Contact us today at 435-799-5981 to talk menu, service style, and get your date locked in.

BBQ Pulled Pork: A Backyard BBQ Favorite

Few things capture the spirit of comfort food like a plate of pulled pork. Slow-cooked until it’s tender enough to fall apart, then tossed in a smoky-sweet sauce, it’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table. The BBQ pulled pork at Scott’s Catering and Grill is rich, bold, and packed with just enough tang to keep your guests going back for seconds.

What Makes It Special

The sauce is what really sets this pulled pork apart. A blend of sweet and smoky barbecue with that unmistakable whiskey glaze kick, it infuses the pork with layers of flavor as it cooks low and slow. The result is meat that’s juicy, tender, and perfectly coated in sauce without being overwhelming.

How to Serve It

At Scott’s Catering and Grill we serve our pulled pork as a classic sandwhich or as an additional entree served by itself, but we always have leftovers for you to take home! With our sweet and tangy pulled pork, the possibilities are endless:

• Classic Sandwiches – Pile the pork high on a toasted brioche bun, then top it with creamy coleslaw for crunch.

• Pulled Pork Tacos – Warm corn tortillas, add pork, pickled onions, and a squeeze of lime.

• Loaded Fries – Crispy fries topped with pork, shredded cheddar, jalapeños, and a drizzle of ranch or extra BBQ sauce.

• BBQ Pizza – Spread barbecue sauce on a crust, add pork, mozzarella, and red onions, then bake until golden.

• Hearty Bowls – Spoon pork over rice or mashed potatoes with roasted veggies for a filling dinner.

A Crowd-Pleaser Every Time

Scott’s Catering and Grill pulled pork is one of those dishes that works just as well for a weeknight dinner as it does for a backyard gathering. It’s bold, flavorful, and versatile enough to make into something new every time you serve it. Call us today to book your event!

🔥 Why Our Santa Maria Tri-Tip is a Fan Favorite

When people ask me what cut of meat I’m most proud to serve, I don’t hesitate—it’s the Santa Maria tri-tip. This cut has become the star of our catering menu for good reason, and I’d love to tell you why it’s one of the best choices you can make for your next event.

1. It Starts with the Cut – Hand-Trimmed and Seasoned In-House

We hand-trim every tri-tip ourselves to make sure you’re getting nothing but the good stuff—just the right amount of marbling and no unnecessary fat. Then we season it with our own Santa Maria-style rub, inspired by the classic California barbecue tradition. It’s a bold, savory blend that’s packed with flavor without overpowering the meat.

2. We Cook It Slow and Live – Right at Your Event

There’s something special about meat grilled over live fire—and tri-tip responds beautifully. We cook it low and slow at your event, allowing it to develop that smoky crust on the outside while staying juicy and tender inside. When we carve it fresh on-site, the aroma alone draws a crowd.

3. Tender, Juicy, and Satisfying

The tri-tip is a bottom sirloin cut, so it’s naturally lean but still tender when cooked properly—which we’ve mastered over years of events. It slices clean, holds up well on a buffet, and keeps its moisture better than most other cuts. Guests notice the difference.

4. Looks as Good as It Tastes

One thing I love about serving tri-tip is how great it looks on a platter. The triangular shape, the way it’s sliced against the grain—it just has a real “wow” factor when we lay it out. It’s hearty and elegant at the same time, and that’s hard to beat.

5. People Can’t Get Enough of It

I hear it all the time:

“That tri-tip was unreal.”
“Best I’ve ever had.”
“Do you sell it by itself?”

It’s easily one of the most complimented items on our menu. Whether we’re serving 30 people or 300, the tri-tip always delivers—and keeps folks coming back for seconds.

Why It Works So Well for Events

Hand-trimmed, quality meat in every bite. Our signature rub adds a savory, memorable flavor. Live-fire grilled, juicy inside, crisp outside, tender, with a beautiful presentation. Guest favorite where you won’t have leftovers (and that’s a good thing!)

If you're looking for a main dish that satisfies a crowd, looks impressive, and tastes unforgettable—our tri-tip is the answer. I personally guarantee it’ll be one of the highlights of your event.

Let us bring the flavor to you, grill and all.