Clean up your outside space

Spring-clean your barbecue

Get your barbecue ready for all those long sunny afternoons by giving it a careful once-over. Get rid of any leftover ashes from last year, then wash the lid and firebox with mild detergent and warm water. Use a steel-wool soap pad to work off any stubborn stains, then rinse and dry. Before you use it for the first time, heat the grate for about half an hour then scrape it down with a long brass-wire brush. And always remember to brush it down before and after cooking.