With grilling season on the horizon, now is the time to get your equipment ready for another season of backyard cookouts, burgers, and barbecues. You've spent all day and evening barbecuing (and rustling up some tasty BBQ lamb burgers with beetroot relish) but now the night is over and all that remains is a dirty barbecue because the sun is out and you're about to dust off your BBQ from last year for a feast in the garden. We're all curious about the best technique to clean a grill and get rid of all the grease and grime. Throughout the summer, follow these simple steps:
Examine all of the components
The annual cleaning is a good time to inspect all the parts and replace any that are worn or damaged. Dig out your BBQ from the shed or garage if it’s a portable type, or uncover it if it stays outside, and check for any damage or rust. Check that none of the knobs have been knocked off, that the hinges are still in working order, and that all the grills and grates were put back properly. Brush away any cobwebs or spiders that may have settled in over the winter, then clean everything down with a moist cloth. The heat deflectors and other elements of the grill, as well as the burners, might wear out with time. Many of the parts needed to tune up a barbecue can be found in hardware stores, and the grill maker may sell them online.
Heat Deflectors Should Be Cleaned
Many gas grills include thin steel plates that separate the burners from the cooking chamber and are tilted in the shape of a "V." These heat deflectors help to disperse heat evenly across the cooking chamber and keep the food from being burned directly overhead by the gas flames. Grease and food residue is frequently dripped onto the deflectors. Remove the deflectors from the cooking chamber and scrub them with warm soapy water and a nylon brush or scrubbing pad after every three to four uses of the grill. Before putting them back on the grill, make sure they're thoroughly dry.
After each use, clean the grate and rack
Cleaning is considerably easier if you do it frequently, following each usage of the grill. With gas grills, this is especially important because the high temperatures can bake on grease and foods, making it difficult to clean the grates and racks once they have cooled and the grease has hardened. After each cooking session, make sure to clean these sections.
Clean with steam
Allow your barbeque to cool slightly after using it for the day, but while it's still hot, put a layer of old newspaper across the top and generously spritz it with water. Steam clean the lid by closing it for half an hour.
Clean with steam
Steam is the best way to clean your barbecue. Allow your barbeque to cool slightly after use, but while it's still hot, put a layer of old newspaper across the top and generously spritz it with water. The steam will loosen up any grime buildup, making it easy to wipe off. Steam clean the lid by closing it for half an hour. And then wipe it down with a damp cloth on your grill.
Use the Dishwasher
The hotplates should fit neatly into the dishwasher unless your BBQ is quite large. Put them through a pot wash cycle, and they should come out looking brand new. To achieve the best results, clean them while they are still warm.
Using an onion as a cleaner
Onions have antimicrobial characteristics by nature. Cleaning with onion, believe it or not, is a wonderful BBQ hack. Attach an onion to a fork and massage it over the hot bars while the grill is still hot. The water in the onion steam cleans them and eliminates any food that has become adhered to them. If you're grilling using charcoal, you may toss the used onion right into the fire to add flavor to whatever you're grilling.
Cooking oil should be used to coat the grill
This method may appear counterproductive to cleaning, but it will help keep food from clinging to your grill and keep it from rusting. Before each use of the BBQ, coat it with sunflower oil or a mixture of cooking oil and absorbent material such as litter or coffee grounds, then toss it in the bin and rub it down again once you're done.
Make a dazzling BBQ with white vinegar
White vinegar is an excellent alternative to stainless steel cleaner for cleaning around the house. Mix 500ml of vinegar with the same quantity of water in a spray bottle that has been left over. Allow 10 minutes after spraying the solution on the grill. To clean the grill and its interior, empty the container, replace it with vinegar, spritz it on, and scrape it.
BEER cleaner
Scrub a warm grill with newspaper or a wire brush after pouring half a bottle of beer on it. Your grill will be shining in no time.
Cleaner for coffee
Coffee, believe it or not, can be used to clean. For tough-to-remove food residue, immerse your grill and utensils in coffee. Don't worry, it's not a waste of fine beer; it's a clever method to get the grill sparkling. The beer's acid will assist in cleaning it (your BBQ). Apply beer to the end of the cleaning brush. Coffee's acid will dissolve any filth.
Heat it up
When you're done cleaning, turn on the grill for at least 15 minutes. This will ensure that any remaining cleaning chemicals are burned off and won't affect the taste of the food when it's time to cook again.
To get rid of the rust, use ketchup
Tomato ketchup isn't just for burgers and bangers, as it turns out. It turns out that tomato ketchup isn't just for burgers. Ketchup is a fantastic rust-removal agent! Ideal for last summer's BBQs that were left outside in the weather. Simply apply a small amount to any rusty parts, wait a few minutes, and watch the magic happen.
Clean the Base
Use a damp kitchen towel to pick up any residual bits as soon as your BBQ is cool, or an outdoor vacuum is a simple way to gather any lingering bits. Then, using warm water and dishwashing liquid, give the base a thorough cleaning.
Outside Scrub
After you've cleaned the inside of your BBQ, don't forget to clean the outside as well. All you'll need for this is some hot soapy water and a lot of elbow grease.
Always cover-up
To keep dirt and grime off all summer. Covering your grill to protect it from the outdoors may seem inconvenient at first, but it will save you a lot of trouble in the long run. Most grill brands have covers available. You'll normally have to pay a premium for them, but they'll keep rust at bay and keep dirt out between cookouts.
Wash and Wipe
Fill the bucket with clean water and a few squirts of dish soap after emptying the filthy water. Wipe the exterior with fresh warm water and dishwashing liquid, then polish the metal shell with a dry cloth. Steel wool, metal sponges, and coarse scouring pads can harm finished surfaces, so avoid using them on them. Use a stainless steel polishing spray if your barbeque is stainless steel. After cleaning the outside of the grill, wipe down and dry all surfaces using super-absorbent microfiber towels.
It's also a good idea to spray your BBQ with mineral or baby oil to protect it from the elements. This is especially crucial if you plan to keep your BBQ outside all summer since it will shine beautifully.
Once a year, clean all parts
Everything else should be cleaned at least once a year with warm, soapy water, including the burners themselves, the sidewalls, the bottom of the cooking compartment, and the drip pan. This maintenance, whether seasonal or annual, necessitates some easy disassembly so that you may clean each part separately and properly dry it before reassembling the grill. Before removing the burners, make sure the gas lines are disconnected. Special care must be taken with the burners. Checks for debris in the jets (the tiny openings where the flames emerge). Any clogged holes can be opened up with a thin wire or a little nail. Wipe off the outside of the grill with warm water to finish.
Safety is the number one priority when you are planning your BBQ party so make sure to follow these tips to keep your BBQ clean and enjoy your celebration in a clean environment. We hope you enjoyed our top tips to keep your BBQ clean.
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