After a long winter of inaction, your barbecue needs an effective clean before you can start grilling up some summer favorites. But how exactly do you go about doing this?
If you want to keep your barbecue grill looking its best, there are several steps you can take. Whether you prefer using a brush or vacuum, these tips will give it the attention it deserves.
The grills
Maintaining your BBQ is essential for cooking delicious meals on it. After all, a dirty grill won’t work as efficiently and could cause food to stick or burn.
Thankfully, cleaning your BBQ is a reasonably straightforward task. Just follow these guidelines, and your grill will be spotless soon!
Steam: Place a metal tin from your kitchen into boiling water and use it to scrape away greasy grates. This will help break up grease and grime before using a sponge to scrub with.
Vinegar: Lightly spray vinegar all over the grill, then take a balled-up piece of aluminum foil and rub it into the grates to loosen any stubborn grime or residue.
Stainless steel grill grates can be particularly easy to clean if covered with aluminum foil before they get hot. The foil helps concentrate heat and burn off any remaining food particles.
The cook box
Maintaining the cook box of your barbecue grill is an easy yet effective way to improve its performance. By wiping away food residue and grease from the cook box, you’ll ensure it runs efficiently.
Depending on your model, the cook box may have a slide-out grease tray or catch pan for excess drippings that could cause flare-ups. These components should be cleaned and replaced periodically for optimal performance.
To remove baked-on grease from a cook box, spray with 20 percent dish soap and 80 percent water. Let sit for five minutes before gently scrubbing away with a sponge.
For stubborn stains, leave the soap and water solution on longer or repeat the process several times to loosen them. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning any part of your barbecue.
The lid
Though it may go overlooked, the lid on a barbecue grill is an integral component. Not only does it prevent spilled food, but it also keeps all the aromas, flavors, and moisture inside for added enjoyment.
However, if your lid isn’t clean, it can pose a fire hazard or start to rust. Regularly cleaning the cover of a barbecue grill is easy and will keep it in top condition while helping avoid spills.
You’ll need a scourer and some warm, soapy water to clean your grill lid. Alternatively, you could use a cleaner specifically designed for stainless steel barbecues; follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
The burners
Grilling food can get sticky with grease, juices, marinades, seasonings, and sauces stuck to the burners. This could cause uneven heating and early burner failure if not addressed promptly.
Burners are hollow tubes with gas inlet holes and flame outlet ports (or heat baffles on some models). Scrape away any exterior coating from the burners and use a paperclip to unclog their portholes.
First, remove any flame tamers or covers over the burners on your grill. Next, clean these areas with a brush and sponge dipped in soapy water.
If your grill has burner tubes, spray them with Simple Green and let them sit for a few minutes before scrubbing them clean. Disrupt the lines and use a pipe cleaner to clear blocked holes. After the burner tubes have been cleaned, reattach them for optimal functionality and appearance. This is an effective way to ensure your burners look and work their best!
