Grilling season is fast approaching so as you prepare to bring out your grill in preparation for the season it is important to know how to clean a BBQ grill. Your barbecue grill will most likely require a thorough clean after staying unused for several months. In this article, we will break down how to clean a BBQ grill starting from the crates to other parts of the grill. So keep reading to learn more.
Tools & Materials Required To Clean Your BBQ Grill
- Aluminum Oil
- BBQ foil
- BBQ wipes
- BBQ cleaning scrubber
- Oil spray can
- Dish wash liquid
- Ling grill brush
- Scraper
- Drip trays
- Tub for cleaning
- Paper towel
- Rubber glove
- Fat cleaning agent
Step 1 – Arrange Your Tools
Set the ball rolling by arranging your tools and materials in one place close to the grill before you start cleaning.
Step 2 – Turn Off The Grill
If your BBQ grill is gas or electric powered you need to shut it off. For gas grills, use the opportunity to inspect the tank and the pipes for leaks. If you find leaks or cracks do well to replace the pipe before you use it again.
Step 3 – Tidy The Drip Tray
You have to clean the drip tray under the grill. Do this by removing it then use a scraper to remove fat waste piece by piece. Once done, use your BBQ wipes to clean my excess fat and grease.
Step 4 – Scrub Hotplates
The hotplate needs attention too so the first thing you want to do is to fill a bucket or bowl with hot, soapy water. Pour some on the surface then work it with the scraper. The heat will melt the grade coat until they begin to come off. Do well to wash both sides so no area will be left untouched. You may leave the fluid in place for a while to soak the plates a little more if the plates are still dirty.
Step 5 – Wash the BBQ
Before replacing the grill and hotplate you should endeavor to give the BBQ a thorough washing. You may use the wipes for scrubbing but you will need a lot of them for a perfect job. Make sure your wipes or sponge touches every area for a dirt free bbq.
Step 6 – Line The Drip Tray
Once the drip tray is clean and dry, place an aluminum foil on it and sprinkle fat sorbs. This material is designed to absorb fat so cleaning in future will be a lot easier. Sorbs and aluminum foils are also known to minimize flares and eliminate odors
Step 7 – Oil The Hotplates
Apply oil on the hotplate after they are dry. You can use cooking oil in a light coat. Oil coats prevent rusting and cracks caused by exposure to intense heat
With these steps your BBQ is ready for use. Make sure you check the range and also install all necessary accessories before firing it up.
Things To Avoid When Cleaning A BBQ
In the previous part we provided steps in how to clean a barbecue grill. In this section we want to focus on things to avoid when doing your maintenance work. Making the wrong move may complicate the process or even less to wear and tear. So pay close attention to these tips below.
Failure To Clean The Grill Grates Immediately
If you wait for the grates to cool off before cleaning you will waste a lot of time and effort because by then, the grease will congeal. It is always best to clean the grates in a semi hot state. The heat also minimizes the risk of damaging the coat because of forceful scrapping. Cleaning it while it is hot is the easiest way .
Incinerating The Foil
The foil incinerating approach is an age long method used by professionals for grilling it that comes with its own troubles. This method involves the covering of the grill grates with one or two foil layers then heating the grill for up to 20 minutes to conserve heat to burn the food remnants into ash. This method doesn’t involve any scrubbing on your path. It sounds great but this may spell trouble as modern day grills are not best for intense heat. Burner and firebox damages are common problems associated with this method so it is best to avoid it.
The Use Of Old Wire Brush
We have grill brushes made of harsh brass metals which are ideal for scraping stubborn droppings if they tend to pull off and hang onto the grates. These metals can then enter your food so be advised to be careful with them. If you must use wire brushes replace it every few months if you grill regularly or once a year at least.
A safer option is to use aluminum foils, coiled scraper, grooved wood or metal scraps. Any tough material that will not pull off will do.
Failure To Clean Your Brush
A knot of gunk is often left hanging in your grill brush after every use so you ought to ensure that you clean it immediately. Failure to do so will leave acid oil in the grates which will affect the taste of our food. To clean your grill brush properly, soak in a bucket of soapy water before washing and never leave it out in the open after use. Constantly check for cracks and signs of rusting and if you notice signs, you should get a new one.
Final Thoughts
If you have been keen on how to clean a BBQ grill before now we hope that this short article has been able to do justice to the subject. The steps are easy to follow and take not more than 30 minutes to pull off. Furthermore, we highlighted some mistakes to avoid during the grilling and cleaning session. The key to a long lasting grill is a safe and regular maintenance practice and all will be well with your appliance for many years to come.