Your grill works hard all summer long and could use a good scrubbing before another season of grilling. Here are some quick tips on how to clean a BBQ grill.
How Often Should You Clean Your Grill?
This type of cleaning should be done after every 8-10 uses. Before you start, make sure your grill is off and cooled down. If you have a gas grill, make sure to disconnect the propane tank. Fill a bucket or pan with warm, soapy water - the simplest and best grill cleaner! - and place the grates inside to soak.
Do You Clean A Gas Grill Differently Than A Charcoal Grill?
If you have a
charcoal grill, remove the coal grate and brush out the insides. If you have a
gas propane grill, there are a few more steps. Remove the briquettes, lava rocks, or metal flame shield and expose the burner. Clean out ash and residue around the burners. When you're finished, make sure the burner is in place and did not shift during cleaning. Cleaning the burners during grill maintenance is important because they can accumulate grease and food, leading to uneven temperatures along your surface.
How to Clean Grill Grates
Once removed from your tray of water, the best way to rid a grill grate of food particles is to brush it clean with a wire brush. After you've brushed it off, spray it down with cooking oil. This prevents your grill from rusting and ensures a long life.
How to Clean Rusty Grill Grates
If your main issue with your grill grates is rust, follow the same soap and water soak above, but brush them off with a softer brush rather than a wire brush after they're done soaking. If you need a bit more cleaning power, a food-safe way to clean rusty grates is to use baking soda and vinegar. Mix the two ingredients into a paste, spread it over the rust spots, and leave it for a half hour.
Cleaning the Rest of Your Grill
Use a wire brush and a little soapy water to gently scrub the inside surfaces of your grill. The best way to clean a gas grill is to brush off the briquettes or lava rocks, or wash metal flame shield in warm, soapy water. Remove any particles from grill and reassemble.
Allow the whole grill to air dry after cleaning. Once you grill again, give an extra five minutes of heating time to make sure any cleaning residue has burnt off.
Grill-Cleaning Tips
- Keep your grease traps clean. Grease is highly flammable and can cause a fire or heat up all surfaces, including the handles.
- For charcoal grills, it's important to dump all used charcoal or ash after each use. After dumping the remains, clean the inside with a wire brush. By keeping the bed of your grill clean, you'll cut down on excess smoke and bad flavors.
- The best way to clean a grill is through regular cleaning. Routine brushing of the grates with a wire brush prevents food and bacterial buildup. After each use, you should soak your brush in hot, soapy water and hang it upside down to dry. Drying the brush naturally ensures the bristles will last a long time. If bristles from your wire brush start to fall off, it's time for a new brush. Fallen bristles mixed with food is dangerous if ingested.
- Keep your grill in good shape by properly storing it when not in use. A grill cover is a great investment for protecting all types of grills from inclement weather.
- Replacing your grill parts is important. Many manufacturers come with a lifetime guarantee on certain parts. Save your book and any warranty information.
If your grill is covered with grime beyond saving, we're here to help! Shop P.C. Richard & Son for a
brand-new grill you can keep looking that way for many years to come. Shop now!