The chicken skewers were ready to grill. The salad was ready and the patio table was set. But when my husband hit our outdoor gas grill, nothing happened.

I will push the button. I hear the clicks. Nothing.

"I swapped out the propane tank," he said, "so that's not it."

"So what is it?" Asked.

He shrugs. We've run out of ideas. We would not have survived the Stone Age for long.

The Weber grille is less than two years old. We don't use it often. So how could it break? A look under the hood provides information. It looks like a canvas.

"Looks like a creature walked in," says DC. He pushes past the petrified ground and pulls out a handful of frayed and chewed cables.

"At least you didn't have a Christmas barbecue," says John DiGioia, owner of Orlando Grill Repair, who retired the next day. "We book two or three weeks before the summer holidays. Then people start bribing you.

As DiGioia opens the lid to inspect the grill, he lets out a long, slow whistle. Then he goes to work. Replace the AA battery. (Got a battery?) Fix frayed wires, then cover them with a protective case. He then lights the grill, which thankfully comes to life with a clicking sound. He checks the burners. The flames shoot up. I jump.

"That should not happen. If you see flames, it's time to clean up," he says. "It happens all the time because people don't take proper care of their grill. People pay a lifeguard to clean their pool every week, but have no idea what equipment they use to support their families.

Oh.

"If homeowners cleaned their outdoor grills the same way, they would prevent 90% of the problems, keep rodents out, and extend the life of their grill," he says.

"We'll stay under cover," I said weakly.

"It makes the creatures even cuter," he says. "Outdoor grills are like full-service rodent hotels. They are warm, safe and have good bedding and lining.

While cleaning and repairing the grill, DiGioia shared this tip to keep rodents and handymen away:

Check the battery. If a grill won't fire, check the battery before paying for a service appointment. Most people (including me) don't realize that the entire ignition system is powered by a single AA battery. Replace it at least once a year.

Check the fuel. If your grill runs on propane, have a full tank or two on hand. Turn them over and refill them when they are empty.

Check the creatures. Droppings and chewed through wires are signs that your grill is a rodent habitat. The best defense is to keep your grill clean. You can also place traps around the device, including boxes that are safe for pets and children.

Clean after each use. After removing the food from the grill, DiGioia recommends leaving the grill on high for at least 10 minutes to burn off any residue. "You want whatever's left on the grates to be dusty and charred," he said. Turn off the grill and remove the ash with a wire brush. You can also use a stone grill, a portable block often made of pumice stone.

Thorough cleaning. Most experts recommend a thorough cleaning of your grill twice a year, before and after grilling season. You can do the work yourself or hire a professional. (DiGioia costs $200 and is worth every penny.) To do the work yourself, start by firing up the grill to burn off any remaining fat. When the flames rise, close the lid and let the fire go out. Never put water on the fire. With the grill off but hot, remove the grates and flame dampers (or burner covers) with oven mitts. Clean with soapy water. Spray areas covered with grease with a commercially available degreaser. (DiGioia uses Super Clean.) Let it sit for a few minutes, then squeeze the independent racks and wash the built-in racks with a sponge and bucket of water. Clean the outside of the grill with soapy water. Polish stainless steel by buffing the surface with a lubricant such as WD-40.

Check the burners. Burners deteriorate every one to five years and need to be replaced. To find out if a burner is bad, light the grill. The flames should emanate evenly from each burner. Burners with less flame will burn out.

Keep lid closed. If you live in snowy places, blankets protect, but in hot weather, they retain moisture and don't keep bugs out.

Find a good grill. Some grill experts will repair your grill but will not clean it. Some clean but do not repair. Try to find someone to do both, preferably before the next holiday barbecue.

Marni Jameson is the author of six books on home and lifestyle including Downsizing the Family Home: What to Save, What to Let Go. Contact them at www.marnijameson.com .