They say summer is not really summer without a barbeque. Yet, unless you know the best way to clean a barbecue grill, you might not get to enjoy the barbeque summer experience to its fullest. This is because a dirty grill poses many health risks to users, due to all the buildup of bacteria and carbon deposits. Also, meat cooked on a dirty grill is less delicious due to the bad tasting residues that are left from previous cooking sessions.
Therefore, it is crucial that you learn how to clean your barbeque grill; and not just clean it, but clean it well and efficiently. Even if you regularly wipe it down after every grilling session, you still need to clean it thoroughly from time to time. Doing so will ensure that you always have a clean, healthy and safe barbeque grill.
We Are Here to Help You!
So how exactly should you clean your grill? In this article, we discuss the Best Way to Clean a Barbeque Grill: Using baking soda and vinegar. And all you need are a few, simple tools and homemade products to get this done. Read along!
How to Clean a Barbeque Grill: Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
The most recommended way of cleaning the barbeque grill is by using baking soda and vinegar. If your barbeque grill is not very dirty or stained, you can use the regular white vinegar (which contains about 5% acidity). However, for more stubborn stains, consider using vinegar that contains about 45% acidity; the higher acidity level provides extra grease-cutting power to remove all the stubborn stains and gunk.
Materials Needed:
- Wire Bottle Brush
- Long-handled wire brush
- Bucket (with a capacity of five gallons)
- Vacuum
- Baking Soda
- Warm Water
- White vinegar
- Grease-cutting dish soap (such as Dawn)
- Putty knife
- Cotton rags
- Rubber gloves (preferably with long cuffs)
- Scouring sponges
- Microfiber towels
- Garden hose
The Process:
Step 1.
For a gas barbeque grill, first fire it up. Then, close the hood and allow it time to attain its full temperature. It is recommended that you wait for approximately 30 minutes, until all the grease and stuck-on food is lightly burnt. Then, add warm water and soap into a bucket and dip the wire brush. Using the brush, scrub off any carbon residues left on the grates. Next, disconnect the gas and remove the tank. Allow the grill time to cool.
For the charcoal grill, pour all the used charcoal briquettes in a container, preferably one made of metal. Next, using a putty knife, scrape off any debris and charcoal dust on the grill.
Step 2.
In a bucket (or tub), add warm water and soap. Once the barbeque grill has completely cooled, submerge all the flavorizer bars and grates and allow them to soak for about half an hour. Make sure to remove from the grill everything that is removable, such as warming racks, knobs for controlling the burner, grease trays and burner tubes. Removing these parts exposes the firebox, making it easier to clean the grill thoroughly.
Step 3.
Place an empty bucket under the grill firebox; ensure that the bucket is just under the opening of the grease tray, so that it catches all flushed out debris and soapy water. Using a putty knife, remove all gunk and debris in the firebox. Suck up all remaining residue in the firebox using a vacuum. Then, rinse off the firebox using a garden hose.
Step 4.
The panels, grates and other grill parts should have soaked well by now. Take these out then using a wire brush, scrub them to remove any dirt, grease and debris. For stubborn stains and gunk, make a poultice of baking soda and white vinegar. Then, apply the paste directly on the gunk and leave it for a few minutes. Rinse off all surfaces with clean water. For cast-iron grates, remember to dry these thoroughly to prevent any rusting.
Step 5.
Pour down the dirty water in the bucket. Then, rinse it well and fill it with clean water, adding a few drops of dish soap. Using a kitchen sponge, scrub the grill thoroughly, both on the outside and the inside. Avoid using course scouring pads, steel wool and metal sponges, as these could cause scratches on the finished surfaces of the grill. Using microfiber towels, wipe down the grill and dry it completely.
Step 6.
Once the entire barbeque grill has completely dried, take back all the removed parts and reassemble them. Reassemble the burner tubes, holding them until they are in place with screws or cotter pins. Also, coat the cast-iron grill grates with a little vegetable oil to prevent rusting. Next, reconnect the gas tank, after which you can close the hood and turn on the barbeque grill. Allow it about fifteen minutes to heat up, then you can turn it off. The heat released not only assures you that you have reassembled everything correctly, but it also seasons the grates and burns off ant cleaning residues that were left on the grill.
Important Notes
- If your barbeque grill has any stainless steel surfaces, you can clean these using a quality stainless steel cleaner to produce that extra shine and a good final touch. However, avoid using the cleaner to remove any baked-on gunk or heavy, stubborn buildups. Alternatively, you can use undiluted white vinegar in place of stainless steel cleaners.
- Never use any toxic or strong chemicals to clean your grill. These chemical residues may be left on your grill, imparting an off taste to any food you cook on your grill.
- When cleaning any stainless steel surfaces, you are recommended to do so on a cloudy (or overcast) day. This is because when exposed to the hot sun, the streaks on stainless steel surfaces become harder to remove.
A clean barbeque grill doesn’t just look great; it is also safer, works much better and ensures tastier food. Therefore, with summer now fast approaching, it is high time you learn how to clean your grill.
This article has discussed the best way to clean a barbecue grill: Using baking soda and vinegar. Therefore, following the steps mentioned, and notice your grill start producing healthier, tastier food, even better than those you see in most Instagram posts!