The same BBQ process that produces appetizing char marks also produces carbon deposits everywhere on your grill, including the grates, hood, interior of the firebox, flavorizing bars and burner tubes on gas grills.
Bacteria can live in these carbon deposits, and if there is an excess of carbon buildup, the grill might not reach full operating temperature, or even heat unevenly. Also, gas-burner tubes can end up failing.
Meaning, cleaning your BBQ is very important.
Here are some BBQ cleaning tips that will help you:
1. Maintain your BBQs Cleanliness
It is easier to clean when you have already maintained a level of cleanliness. After every cooking session, use a wire brush to scrub the grill grates clean. Twice a grilling season, your grill should get a thorough cleaning.
2. Cleaning Supplies You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy – a long handled wire brush, a wire bottle brush and a large five-gallon bucket will do. Along with sponges.
Use warm water, a grease-cutting dish soap, and a white vinegar and baking soda paste.
3. Clean by Burning
Gas grill: Fire up the grill, then close the hood and let it come to full temperature. It takes at least 30 minutes at this high temperature to burn off any stuck-on food or grease.
Then, dip the wire brush in warm, soapy water and scrub off any carbon from the grates. Turn off the gas, and disconnect and remove the propane tank.
Charcoal grills: Dump out used charcoal briquettes into a metal container. Then use a putty knife to scrape away any caked-on charcoal residue.
4. Leave Parts to Soak
When the grill is completely cool, remove all the grates and flavorizer bars and submerge them in a tub of warm, soapy water. Soak for at least 30 minutes.
Once soaked, scrub them again with a wire brush. If there is still stuff left, use a paste of white vinegar and apply it on what is still left.
Rinse everything, and dry cast-iron grates to avoid rusting. Repair any chips on porcelain grates with porcelain touch-up paint.
5. Check the Burners
The burners should be inspected to make sure they are in good condition, by checking for signs of corrosion or anything that might block the flame holes.
Brush them with a wire brush, then use the wire bottle brush to clean out the inside of each tube.
6. Access the Firebox for Cleaning
Remove anything that you can easily remove, like burner-control knobs, warming racks, burner tubes and grease trays, to make cleaning easier.
With everything removed, you can access the firebox for cleaning. Put an empty bucket underneath the firebox to catch anything the soapy water may have flushed out. Use a putty knife to scrape off anything that is caked on the firebox.
7. The Final Touch
Use soapy water and scrub the outside of the grill with a large sponge. Don’t use steel wool, or sponges that can scratch the surface. And you’re finished!
Cleaning a BBQ is easy, and worth the time!
