HOW TO CLEAN YOUR BARBECUE

The sun finally comes out! This is the better time to bring out the barbecue and start a party.

After several uses during the previous summer, and therefore a winter hidden in the shed, your grill will not necessarily be at its best.

Fortunately, cleaning it (even after months of neglect) doesn’t have to be a daunting task.

You can follow these simple steps, and your grill will be free of dirt and ready to go.

 

Steps 1-3: How to clean the barbecue grill

Pay attention to follow the manufacturers’ suggestions when choosing a cleaning method.

Every barbecue is different, although most should follow a similar pattern like the guide below. Remember! You should always allow the barbecue enough time to cool down before cleaning it.

 

• With the grill in place, bring the barbecue to full heat. If you have a gas barbecue, that simply means turning the heat on to maximum. For a charcoal barbecue, throw in the fresh coals and wait for them to reach a red-hot temperature.
• Put the lid on and leave it for 15-20 minutes. This causes dirt and food particles to explode, making it easier to clean the parts of the barbecue.
• Wait for the barbecue to cool down, then scrub the bars with a steel brush. Make sure you tilt the brush at awkward angles.

 

Steps 4-6: How to deep clean barbecue grills

 

If you’ve been using the barbecue recently, you won’t need to do much more. Once a month, however, it is worth doing a very thorough scrub to make sure you have a really clean barbecue grill.

Read the steps:

• After using the cooking method above (and after waiting for everything to cool), remove the racks.
• Using warm soapy water wash the bars. Avoid using detergents or abrasive tools that could damage the grill. There are some products specifically designed for barbecue cleaning and some general purpose all-purpose cleaners that work wonderfully, but it’s worth checking out the manufacturer’s guidelines. First, test a cleaning solution on a small area to make sure you’re using a grill-friendly product.
• Rinse and dry immediately, then rub on a light cover of vegetable oil to avoid rust.

 

 

 

Steps 7-8: how to clean barbecue grill trays

 

Most barbecues have a drip tray for collecting grease and ash – these will need to be cleaned with each use. Again, it is best to leave the trays to cool down for a while before facing them – boiling grease can cause a nasty burn.

• When you are cleaning your barbecue drip trays, you can save yourself a bad job by absorbing the fat by using the cat litter box, if you have it. If not, pour the cold fat into the bin, rather than the sink.
• Wash all trays with warm soapy water as before.

 

Steps 9-10: How to clean the burners and barbecue grill lids

 

The rest of the barbecue doesn’t require much cleaning, as you can see:

• Dust the inside of the barbecue with a steel brush and, if necessary, a little hot water and soap.
• If you have a gas barbecue with food caught in the burners, check the manufacturer’s instructions to find out the best way to extract it. Some recommend removing food carefully using a pin. Whatever you try, be sure to completely turn off the barbecue and wait for it to cool before attempting anything.

 

Following these steps will result in a cleaner, healthier barbecue, just in time for the milder weather. So grab a cold drink, call some friends and enjoy the best!