A clean grill is a better grill. Proper cleaning is the key to hygiene, food safety, improved flavor, and longer-lasting equipment, whether you’re smoking ribs on charcoal or flipping burgers on a gas grill, you will need to clean up your smoker every so often.
Here are five popular methods — and alternatives — to keep your grill clean and ready for use during the summer, so you can avoid buildup, charred mess, and mold.
1. Burn it Off:
Turn your gas grill to high heat and cover it as soon as you’re done cooking. Give it ten to fifteen minutes to burn off any remaining food and grease. After that, switch off the heat, allow it to cool a little, then use a strong grill brush or scourer to scrub the grates.
I personally won’t use a grill brush, however, unless it is of very high quality — as wires may dislodge and cause a safety issue.
For charcoal grills, you can use the same method. After the grill has cooled, clean up any residue ash.
Alternatively, simply scrunching up some foil when the grill is still warm can do the trick.
Some BBQ owners like to leave some of the residue after a cook and will only remove larger food particles, as leftover fat can help protect your grills from rust (and I’m one of them). Higher heat is best to destroy any bacteria growth before you re-season or oil your grill, ready for your next cook. If you have thoroughly cleaned your grill, don’t forget this step!
2. Soak the Grates:
There are instances when you need a deeper clean. After removing the grill grates, soak them in hot, soapy water in a big sink or bin. Give them a soak for at least half an hour, but I’d recommend overnight if you can. After removing loosened grime using a sponge or scouring pad, rinse with fresh water and dry completely before placing them back in the grill.
This method is useful if grease buildup is getting out of hand or it has been a while since your last thorough cleaning.
Some people on social media also suggest dishwasher pods.
3. Baking Soda Paste and Vinegar vs lemons:
This evergreen combo is an alternative to chemicals. There’s little that a combination of baking soda (or bicarbonate of soda) and white wine vinegar (or apple cider) can’t clean around your home, and this applies to grills, too.
Apply a thick paste made from baking soda and white vinegar over the top. Grease and char will bubble and fizz out. After 10 to 30 minutes of waiting, scrub and rinse.
This is an inexpensive, safe, and non-toxic method of cleaning your grill. However, it might be overkill and wear away some surface material. I prefer to use half a lemon, hot, and with some elbow grease. Some BBQ enthusiasts on social media also swear by beer.
4. Steam:
Heat your grill for 15 minutes, then switch it off. Fill a metal container or aluminum tray with water, place it on the grates, and cover it. The steam will loosen grease and food residue. After 15 to 20 minutes, remove the tray, let the grill cool, and then give it a thorough cleaning.
Steam is a gentle yet efficient solution, particularly if you intend to avoid harsh abrasive solutions.
5. Scrapers and Grill Stones:
Despite their widespread use, wire brushes can be hazardous because the loose bristles could end up in your food if you aren’t careful. Solid scrapers and grill stones are safer and more effective substitutes. They remove burned food without leaving any residue behind and adjust to the shape of your grates. For better results, use them after steam or burn-off cleaning.
Tips from social media:
-Spraying vinegar
-Be careful if there’s too much grease: you don’t want to start a grease fire. Consider removing the grates if there’s too much buildup.
-Use a jet or power washer
-Use half an onion after scraping away debris
What method is best to clean a moldy grill?
Fire is best as a starting point if your grill is covered in mold and old food particles. Burn off old muck and use a scraper to remove as much debris as you can from the bottom. You may then need to take the grates away for a thorough soak and clean — consider using a strong cleaning solution or ammonia. Ensure your grates are in a secure container.
