When summer hits, you want to have every meal outdoors. (And every morning coffee and afternoon ice cream, too.)
So you’re probably using your grill a lot. It makes for yummy burgers, but dealing with the residue isn’t nearly as enjoyable. Here’s the good news: cleaning up your grill isn’t nearly as daunting as it seems—if you do it the right way. We asked Jimmy Shotwell, owner of Memphis Barbeque Supply, for his expert tips.
Tools You’ll Need:
- Heat-Resistant Gloves
- Bristle-Free Grill Brush
- Scraper
- Spray bottle
- Aluminum foil
- Vinegar
STEP 1: Pre-Cleaning Prep
The best way to clean your grill is while it’s hot, ideally after each use. Turn heat to high for about 15 minutes to burn grease and stuck-on food into carbon. You’ll know it’s ready when it stops smoking. Turn grill off.
STEP 2: Brush And Scrape The Grates
Minutes 1‑2
After the grill has cooled slightly, use a bristle-free grill brush to loosen particles, then scrape grates (top and bottom) to remove residue. For help with stubborn, burnt-on gunk, mix one part vinegar to four parts water and spray or wipe it on grates before scrubbing. You’ll need to heat the grill to high again to burn off the vinegar. Never use oven cleaner or put grates in the dishwasher.
STEP 3: Clean The Inside
Minutes 3-5
Disconnect the propane tank, cover heating elements with foil, apply the vinegar and water mixture on the inside of your gas grill, and scrub it all over with the grill brush. (Excess on grates may also come off with warm soapy water and a thick rag.) Remove the foil, reconnect the propane, and voila!
Repeat these steps every few months to remove grease buildup and help reduce flare-ups. Also, remove and clean your grease tray regularly when the grill is cold.
Other Easy Grill Cleaning Hacks
THE ONION
Supplies
Onion
Grill fork
Instructions
1. While there’s still some heat in your grill, attach an onion to a fork and rub over the hot bars.
2. The water in the onion steam cleans them and removes any stuck food.
STEAM CLEAN
Supplies
Water
Newspaper
Grill scour pad
Instructions
1. If you’ve been using your BBQ for the day, once it has started to cool down, cover the grill with water-soaked newspaper and close the lid.
2. Leave it shut for 30 minutes to give it a good steam clean.
3. Scrub off the gunk with a grill scour pad and enjoy!
BAKING SODA
Supplies
Baking soda
Sponge
*Optional: Towels
Instructions
1. Remove grate from the grill and set on some towels.
2. Sprinkle baking soda on the grill and dissolve some in water.
3. Use a sponge to scrub until all the baking soda is gone and the grill is sparkling.
VINEGAR
Supplies
Vinegar
Water
Scourer or sponge
2 Spray bottles
*Optional: Towels
Instructions
1. Remove grate from the grill and set on some towels.
2. Mix 500 milliliters of vinegar and the same amount of water in a spray bottle.
3. Spray the solution onto the grill and leave for 10 minutes.
4. Pour vinegar into a second spray bottle and spray on, then scrub to clean the grill and its interior.
COLA
Supplies
Cola
Newspaper or rag
Large plastic bin
Sponge
Instructions
1. Place grill grate into a large plastic bin and add cola to the bin.
2. Let sit for an hour. Take grate out of tub and scrub with the scouring side of a sponge till all the dirt comes off.
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By Nicole Cherie Jones
A. C. STACKPOLE says,
I have a George Foreman 18″ Diameter Non-Stick Grill that grills any grillable food, removes the fat, puts beautiful grill marks on meat, does fish and shrimp and kabobs and so much more. No charcoal, No yucky lighter fluid or bad taste on the , No flames & No environmental impact other than plugging it in. BEST GRILLED FOOD EVER.!!!
Joseph Lightfoot Jr. says,
I Enjoy barbecue ribs and a nice grill steak. What a good combination for the summer.
Joseph Lightfoot Jr. says,
I Enjoybarbecue ribs and a nice grill steak. What a good combination for the summer.
Jeanine garib says,
You’re great guys
Tom mcgirr says,
we love to barbqquebqiiikllihft
Moises Hernandez says,
Gaico the best insurance companie i loved
Allen Greenman says,
I was not able to give my favorite item to grill in the grilling section.
It is Johnsonville Sawige.
Leo Hamke says,
Getting ready to grill some Johnsonville Sausage’s tonight.I have a small porcelain pan. Boil them in beer in the pan on top of the grates,then place them on the grill ,just to brown them up. Also wrap sliced sweet onions , along with sliced green peppers ,a with a couple of spoonfuls of butter in aluminum foil and cook with the Sausages . Note boil the sausage’s until they turn white then place on grill med heat. (Medium)May need to add pinholes to keep from exploding. Mix sausage’s and veggies together in porcelain bowl and set on table!Have a Weber gas grill, that is appx 15 to 20 yrs old. Love grilling in Indiana in all kinds of weather.
OSCAR PAEZ says,
I LOVE COOK RIBS,STEAKS AND SAUSAGE ARGENTINIAN STYLE.
ERIC V STEARNS says,
GOOD HINTS,….BUT DON’T USE COOKING SPRAY…
Bruno T DaSilva says,
The barbecue is so good,it make to remember my family,they moved to Florida.
I missing them so much!
ashraf duzan says,
I wish gieco decrease monthly psyment
Joe and Mary Gourdine says,
Thanks for the helpful tips on safe Bar-B-Q, it may just keep me a bit healthier, then maybe
help me to drive safer.
Janice P Sam says,
Great ideas
Brian dowling says,
Thank you for the tip about oil on the grill.
Mark Edwards says,
My favorite thing to grill is Bacon wrapped scallops