Cleaning grill grates is essential to making sure your backyard BBQ goes smoothly. “No one is going to come scrutinize your grill, but grates with old, stuck-on food can prevent your food from searing properly,” says Kita Roberts, chef, meat expert, and creator behind Girl Carnivore.

The ash can is an often overlooked grill component that you should clean before major events and storage for the off-season, advises Roberts. “Ash buildup prevents proper airflow, can clog your air vents, and rust out your grill if it gets wet and sits for too long,” she says. Once wet, the ash is harder to remove from the grill, he adds.

“Clogged burners can create uneven heat,” says Bringle. Used grease and earlier food particles can clog burners and ruin your grill and the food.

“When old grease and food particles start burning, that smoke gets bitter and dirty, and that flavor ends up on your meat,” he explains. “Good barbecue should taste like meat, seasoning, and clean wood smoke—not last month's cheeseburgers.”

It’s important to clean out grease traps before using a grill to prevent them from overflowing and causing a mess, or worse, starting a fire. “You can find these commonly on gas grills and pellet grills, where they direct and drain the grease to a bucket or a tray,” says Roberts.

The cooler is something almost everyone skips when it comes to cleaning for a cookout, according to David Jubé, the founder of The Gourmet Host.

“Wash it with soap and water and let it dry open,” says Jubé. He recommends doing the same with the surface you pour on, since the drink station is the first stop guests typically make at a backyard BBQ.

“Wash the platters, tongs, and trays the day before, not an hour before,” suggests Jubé. Feeding a crowd takes more serving dishes than most hosts plan for, so make sure all your dishes, utensils, and any other necessary grilling accessories are clean, available, and ready for use.

Nobody wants to pass dirty, sticky, or clogged condiment bottles around the picnic table. “If you're not starting with fresh bottles of condiments, be sure to wipe down the tops and sides of your condiment bottles before you set them out,” says Marissa Stevens, founder and recipe developer behind Pinch and Swirl.

"Cross contamination is a real problem you need to watch for while grilling,” says Meg Walker, executive chef and CEO at MBM Hospitality.

She recommends a designated marinating-and-get-to-the-grill plate that’s separate from dishes for cooked items. Make sure any dishes that held raw meats have been thoroughly washed before you host your next backyard get-together.

“The outdoors can be a land of forgotten items, ranging from garden hoses to shovels to dirty toys—make sure the space is cleared for guest use,” says Walker.

Pick up any toys left out from kids and dogs, and “if your pets use the yard, hose down the area two days in advance so it has time to dry and avoid any unpleasant odors," she says.

“Outdoor furniture needs pollen, cobwebs, and bird mess off it, and the tabletops genuinely clear,” says Jubé. Guests will be hesitant to set a plate down on a surface they’re unsure has been cleaned, so evaluate them all, he says. Wash outdoor textiles, wipe down furniture, shake dirt off seat cushions, and sweep outdoor rugs.

Even if you’re hosting an outdoor event, there’s an important indoor space that needs to be cleaned beforehand: the guest bathroom, says Jubé.

Tackle the task the day before hosting to minimize stress. “A host who looks effortless is usually running a simple repeatable checklist, not improvising; hosting is a skill, not a talent,” he says.