Barbecue season is in full swing, so the backyard grill is getting a workout! Keeping the grill clean – and the food you cook on it tasty and healthy - is a must. Grates should be scraped after each use to reduce food and rust build up, and the grill should have a deep cleanse at least once a year. If your grill and grates need a good cleaning beyond the usual scraping of food scraps post grilling, plan on cleaning the grill before you fire it up again.
Simple, natural ways to degrease the grill include:
BAKING SODA
1. Dip a damp grill brush into baking soda and scrub the grates until clean. Rinse with warm water and repeat as necessary.
VINEGAR
1. Combine two cups each of white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Shake to mix solution.
2. Saturate grill racks and the area above and below them with water/vinegar solution. Let solution dry for 10 minutes.
3. Pour out remaining solution (or save for future cleaning) and add 2 cups of white vinegar to spray bottle.
4. Fold a sheet of aluminum foil into a 2-3 inch square.
5. Spray vinegar on foil square and scrub grill and grates to fully clean.
WHITE VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA
1. If grates still need a deeper clean, soak the grates in a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda to break apart burnt-on food.
2. Mix 2 cups of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda in a large garbage bag (solution will bubble and hiss.) Place grates in solution, seal bag with a rubber band or twist tie, and soak overnight.
3. Remove grates and rinse with water. Scrub any remaining debris off with grill brush.
4. Rinse and pat dry.
For a deep clean at the beginning or end of grilling season:
1. Turn off all dials and cool grill down after use. When it is slightly warm, turn off and disconnect propane and tank. Using pot holders or gloves, remove grates and metal plates beneath grates. Soak them in hot water and soap solution.
2. Cover heating elements with a long piece of foil. Scrub the underside of the hood with grill brush to clear out peeling carbon build-up from smoke and grease.
3. Scrub the inside walls above the elements, collecting ash and debris on the foil. Wipe down walls with a damp cloth.
4. Clean the soaked grates and drip pan with the grill brush, and rinse in sink or with a hose. For stubborn stains and deposits, use baking soda, white vinegar, and/or baking soda/vinegar solutions listed above.
5. Lift foil with ash and debris carefully from grill and toss into garbage. Wipe the elements with grill brush. Replace cleaned metal plate and grates and drip pan. Reconnect propane tank.
6. Sweep any debris out of grill cabinet.
7. Clean exterior of grill, and interior of cabinet with soap and water solution, or water/white vinegar solution listed above. Spray solution onto a cotton cloth and wipe down.
Deep Clean Source: Hadyn Lazarow, Garden by Design
NOTE on scraping grates post grilling:
· Porcelain grates hold heat well and are rust-resistant, but any chips or scrapes in the porcelain exposes the metal beneath - allowing water in and creating rust. If you use metal tools when grilling, be careful not to scrape or nick the porcelain grates. When cleaning the porcelain grill grates, use a soft bristle or nylon grill brush, rather than metal. Burn off leftover food on the grates, cool, and scrub them the nylon cleaning brush.
· Cast iron grill grates are durable, tolerate high temperatures and create an even cooking surface. Do not soak them in water, as iron may rust. Burn off any food left on the grates. Cool and scrub with a nylon cleaning brush. After cleaning the grates, dry and rub with vegetable oil to prevent rust from forming.
· Stainless steel grill grates tolerate intense heat and are fairly rust resistant. Clean with nylon brush after grilling. Or, cover the top of the grates with heavy aluminum foil and heat grates on high for 10 to 15 minutes to concentrate heat on the grates and burn off leftover food. After grates cool, scrub with a nylon cleaning brush.
Source: Char-Broil