Best Way To Clean A Dirty BBQ Grill And Grates

Grilling season has arrived! Everyone who cooks outdoors, from seasoned pros to complete novices, needs to know the proper approach to clean grill grates. In addition to being a health risk, using a dirty grill can alter the taste of your food and lengthen the cooking time. Here are four simple techniques to get rid of stubborn dirt and filth without using carcinogens, which means no more bad-tasting burgers or dogs. In the meantime, here are some things to do to prepare your barbecue for the next grilling season.

Find out if your grill grates are porcelain, cast iron, or stainless steel before you begin cleaning them. The material of your grill grates determines how and what items you should use to clean them. Before you begin scrubbing, remember these recommendations.

Assuming the glaze is unbroken, porcelain grates will not rust. Avoid using wire or metal brushes and instead, opt for a nylon or soft-bristled brush for cleaning.

Grates made of cast iron: These can withstand rough treatment from wire brushes since cast iron is durable. Nevertheless, it is advised to apply vegetable or canola oil to the grates after cleaning since they rust readily.

As opposed to their more delicate counterparts, stainless steel grates last a long time and don’t need any specific maintenance. However, it doesn’t imply they won’t rust. Before cleaning the grates, make sure they are thoroughly dry to avoid rust.

Table of Contents

The Essentials For Grill Cleaning:

Chemical cleaners can alter the flavor of food, therefore it’s best to avoid them. “A durable galvanized steel grill brush mixed with a bit of heat is all you need to clean the inside of any grill,” Mueller points out. Invest in a high-quality grill brush; it will serve you well.

Be careful that no bristles get into your meal. Never use it without first “checking to make sure the bristles are still firmly attached to the brush by pulling on a couple,” his advice. “Also, visually inspect your grates after brushing to ensure no bristles have been left behind.”

Do not dispose of a grill after only one season. Make sure your grill is completely clean before throwing it away. Once you get into the practice of cleaning your grill, it’s easy, cheap, and a breeze.

Picking The Appropriate Equipment For Grill Grate Cleaning:

Some grillers prefer the tried-and-true wire brush, but few realize the modest dangers that come with using one. Breaking off wire bristles and having them land in your meal is a well-known problem. Countless individuals have unwittingly consumed these bristles as well. We have plenty of different grill cleaning options that you can start utilizing immediately if you prefer to use a piece of safer equipment.
Gather a little amount of aluminum foil, roll it into a ball, and hold it in place with grill tongs as you scrape. The aluminum foil you use to cook your favorite meals from foil packets can be reused.
Bring a nylon scouring pad from the kitchen to the barbecue for effortless cleanup.
To clean your grill grates, use a grill stone, which is similar to pumice, and gently brush it back and forth. Finally, use a damp towel or water to wipe the area clean. It’s really simple.
It may sound unusual, but you can clean your grill with half an onion. To clean the grill grates, just spear an onion with a barbecue fork and use the sliced side to scrub. Enzymes with an acidic pH will dissolve grease without causing excessive surface damage. You can just toss the onion into the coals to burn it if you’re using charcoal for cooking.

Tips For Keeping Grill Grates Clean:

Even though it sounds like a lot of work, cleaning the grill grates will leave them looking brand new. Here are four methods for cleaning grill grates.

Step 1: Depletion

When cleaning grill grates, this is the best and most efficient approach. Grease on the grill, go.

To get rid of any lingering food or grease, turn off the grill and turn the burners on high. If you’re using a charcoal grill, you may also shake the coals about.

After fifteen minutes, scrub the grates with a grill brush or another suitable utensil.

Step 2: Use Hot, Soapy Water For Cleaning

We also suggest cleaning the grill grates once a month with hot, soapy water and the burnoff procedure. You may avoid any potential buildup on your grates by doing this. In addition, the procedure accomplishes two goals at once: cleaning the grates and sanitizing them through heat.

Scrub the grates gently.
Leave for one hour in a soapy bath, then wash.
Warm up the grill by putting the grates back on it and covering it.
Scrub the grates with your grill brush to remove any extra residue after it’s preheated.

Step 3: Use A Grill Spray Or Vinegar.

Our go-to for cleaning barbecue grates is a mixture of soap and water, but some people swear by vinegar or grill spray. This method is also effective.

Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of two cups of water and two cups of vinegar.
Use a spray bottle to coat the grill grates. Ten minutes is all it takes.
No need to rinse the grates after 10 minutes; just brush them clean with a grill brush.
Refer to the directions on the bottle for use by the manufacturer when applying grill spray.

Step 4: Steam Clean.

You can always use steam to clean your grill. A sponge and some water are all that’s needed for this technique.

Bring the grill up to 600°F and then remove from heat.
On top of the grates, set a container of water, such as a big can of vegetables or a small can of coffee.
After 30 minutes of steaming, cover and remove the lid.
To loosen the buildup, scrub using a sponge made of silicone.
Although you should still clean your grill thoroughly before and after each use, you can make the cleanup process quicker by applying oil to the grill grates beforehand. The grill gates can be easily oiled with a paper towel.

FAQs:

How Can Vinegar And Baking Soda Be Used To Clean Grill Grates?

Put one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar in a mixing cup or dish. After placing your grill grates in a waste bag, cover them with the mixture, and fasten the end with rubber bands. To allow the combination to work the grates and any particles left behind, let them soak for eight hours or overnight.

How Is A Gas Barbecue Cleaned?

Here’s a basic regimen: Set your grill for fifteen minutes on high. Much of the carbon and food particles trapped in your grates will be cooked off by doing this. Furthermore, cleaning your grates will be a lot simpler when they’ve cooled down a little. Any deep cleaning tasks will be easier if you follow this procedure each time you use your grill.

How Are Barbecue Gates Made Of Stainless Steel Cleaned?

Any of the aforementioned techniques, such as grill cleansers or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or soap, can be used to clean stainless steel grates. Using a grinding tool with a stainless cup attachment is our tried-and-true technique for cleaning stainless grates.

Conclusion:

The scraping was laborious and time-consuming. The grates’ undersides were extremely caked with crud due to long-term neglect. Fortunately, I was able to effortlessly get all of the surfaces because the foil ball served as an excellent scraper and shaped itself to fit into the spaces. It didn’t completely remove the problem, but it made it appear much less daunting. I wasn’t concerned when small pieces of aluminum flaked off; I knew they would be washed away in due time.