Grilling season will soon be in full swing, so it’s time to get your BBQ ready for backyard cookouts and dinners filled with steaks, grilled veggies and friends. That also means cleaning the grill for another busy season. You probably partially wiped the grill before putting it away for the winter, but it’s always best to start a new grilling season with a fresh and fully cleaned grill. As certified BBQ experts, we have some tips and grill-cleaning advice for spotless outdoor cuisine.
Why You Should Clean Your Grill
It’s inescapable that you eventually need to clean your grill. Crusty carbon deposits form on every surface inside your BBQ. Charcoal and wood pellet grills can also build up ash deposits. All that debris causes multiple issues. It affects heat transfer, making your BBQ heat unevenly which can lead to undercooked food. The build-up can even clog the burners, making the BBQ inoperable. Those same carbon deposits contain grease and sugar from meat and sauces, making them an excellent home for bacteria and a source of bitterness in otherwise tasty dishes. They can also present a fire risk if the BBQ gets too hot, or enough grease is present. Overall, for safe and tasty grilling, you should clean your BBQ.
The Right Tools for Grill Cleaning
To start cleaning your grill, you will need the right equipment. We have all the necessary accessories at Classic Fireplace to keep your grill sparkling. The first tool you need is the appropriate brush for your grill. Visit us in-store to see our wide variety of Napoleon, Big Green Egg and Traeger brushes that we have in stock this season. The other equipment will be familiar to any kitchen sink: grease-cutting dish soap, dish sponges, rubber gloves, and a scraping pad. A wire bottle brush is perfect if you need to clean the grill’s lower areas. If you have substantial build-up, get a degreaser. You may also want some heat-proof gloves to protect yourself from a grill’s heat.
Turn Up the Heat
The first step involves letting your BBQ do what it does best and heat up to full temperature. After about a half-hour, when your grill is hot, use the long-handled wire brush and a bottle brush to scrub the build-up from the grates. This will soften the char, allowing for most of it to be easily removed. You can also dip the brush in soapy water to help cut through the build-up even more. Make sure to turn off the grill after you’re finished.
Soak the Grates for a Deep Clean
Scrubbing won’t be enough to fully clean your grill’s grates. However, don’t put your grates into the dishwasher. Many are made from cast iron or steel, and they will rust. Even stainless steel and enamel grates can rust in the dishwasher because their bottoms or ends can be uncoated. Instead, remove them from the BBQ along with warming racks or grease trays and soak them in water and grease-cutting dish soap. They should soak for at least half an hour to loosen the build-up. Afterwards, give them another brush.
Look for Damage or Rust
When you remove the grates and other parts, it’s the perfect occasion to inspect them for any damage or rust. You might not notice these while cooking, or they might be obscured while in the BBQ. Remove any rust and thoroughly clean any damage.
Take the Time to Clean Inside Your Grill
With the grill cooled and the removable parts soaking, now is the perfect time to clean the grill’s insides. First, remove any fuel source. Some of the material you scraped along with other debris collects in the bottom of the grill. If you have a charcoal or pellet grill, there will typically be some leftover ash. Use a vacuum with a long hose to clean this up. This is also a good time to look at the burners and remove any build-up. You should then use the wire bottle brush with some soap or degreaser.
Oil is Grate
Once the grates have been thoroughly cleaned, they aren’t quite ready for cooking. Coat and brush them with a cooking oil such as vegetable or canola. This provides the grills with a protective coating from rust and damage. Be sure to apply generous amounts to any damaged or rusted areas you noticed during the deep clean.
Don’t Forget the Accessories
BBQing is about the full experience, so don’t forget to clean your tools, including the ones you use to clean your grill. The same dish soap/degreaser soak is a great cleaner for your tools and accessories.
It’s Not Just the Inside that Counts
You don’t just want a spotless grill on the interior. Since it’s outside, your BBQ can be exposed to the elements. If it’s become weathered, use a stainless-steel cleaner to restore its original lustre. Most knobs can be removed for a soak and clean as well.
Regular Maintenance
The last, and best tip we can give is clean your grill after every use. That quick brush and ash clean after every meal goes a long way to maintaining a consistent cooking experience and preventing a big, deep clean down the road. Some of our grills help with this regular maintenance. For example, the Napoleon Prestige Pro models have dual-level, stainless steel sear plates that catch and vaporize food drippings to keep the burners clean. The Big Green Egg has a special chute where you can easily use the ash tool and pan to remove ashes after every use.
A Clean Grill for Tasty Meals
Follow this advice and you’ll quickly and safely have a spotless BBQ, ready for a long and delicious grilling season. If you want more grill cleaning advice or are interested in a new grill with convenient maintenance features, contact us or visit one of our showrooms in the GTA.
