Grilling is one of the best ways to spend summer days with family and friends, and a real feast for the taste buds. Even though grilling is a pleasure, keeping the device clean can be a real problem. Especially if you don’t do it regularly. See how and with what to clean your grill so that the food you prepare tastes great and the appliance lasts as long as possible
Cleaning the grill after each party is extremely important. This will prevent you from having to deal with dirt that is difficult to remove in the future. If you only clean your barbecue every now and then, all the accumulated dirt builds up and is then difficult to get rid of. Another important reason is health reasons
Old, burnt-on fat on the grill can end up in freshly prepared food and cause indigestion, stomach aches and even thyroid changes in some people. Then there’s the taste and aesthetics – food cooked on a dirty grill doesn’t look inviting, and dirt can spoil the taste of even the best prepared dish
Of all the grills, the traditional charcoal grill is the least complicated to clean. It uses charcoal – in the form of briquettes or natural lumps – as its energy source. Grease, ash and food residues are best removed when the barbecue has not yet cooled down completely. Once this has been done, clean the unit with a mild degreasing detergent
Plain water with soap or dishwashing liquid works well. With a soft brush or sponge, rub the grill in circular motions, then rinse under a strong stream of water and wipe thoroughly. Be sure not to flood the grill pan with water while the briquette is still glowing. This can lead to the appearance of rust or even crack the unit.
For more stubborn dirt, you can use lemon juice or a solution of water and spirit vinegar. A paste of vinegar or water and baking soda will also effectively clean a dirty chrome grate. Another proven method is to sprinkle a thick layer of salt on the previously moistened grate. When the salt turns brown, wipe the grate with a wet sponge or cloth and all the dirt will disappear
If there is very heavy dirt, it is a good idea to use hard bristle brushes or spatulas. Special profiling and shape make this type of equipment can reach even hard-to-reach places. Especially recommended are 3-in-1 brushes: a wire brush, a steel scraper and a polyurethane sponge
Cleaning a gas grill starts with disconnecting it from the gas supply. Before using the grill for the first time or after not using it for a long period of time, rinse it with warm, soapy water and wipe it thoroughly. It is important to regularly lubricate the grate and steel parts with cooking oil using a brush or spray. After each use, fire the grill at a high temperature. When it cools down, remove charred particles with a wire brush or stainless steel bristles. Also empty the grease tray and the trough
Use a brush or wooden scraper to remove ash, food particles and grease from the sides. Then clean all grill components, including the pan, tray, gutter, dampers, outer casing, side shelves and deflectors, with warm water and washing-up liquid
Keep in mind that parts coated with epoxy powder paint, ceramic sinter or porcelain enamel should be cleaned gently, without using sharp objects or caustic detergents. Specialized sprays, foams and lotions will also work well for cleaning gas grills
Electric grills are built with a cooking plate, which is covered with a ceramic or Teflon coating. We always clean them after each use, remembering to first disconnect them from the power source. The grate and grease tray should be cleaned manually with water and liquid dishwashing detergent, or you can use a dishwasher. When using cleaning agents to clean the electric grill plate, choose those that will not damage the Teflon layer
In this type of barbecue you should systematically wash the grill, which is in direct contact with the food you are preparing. The concrete parts should be cleaned from time to time of soot, old paint and grease with warm water and universal cleaning agent. Clinker surfaces, on the other hand, should be regularly wet cleaned. In this case, a brush and a dedicated preparation or detergent for this type of material will be useful. You can also use a pressure washer with a brush attachment. To protect clinker against corrosion, we recommend using a suitable preparation
When cleaning cast iron elements, such as the cast iron grate and the bowl, remember that they cannot be washed in the dishwasher! Just wait about 10 minutes after use until the grill cools down, and then wash them with warm water and grease. Store the device in a dry and well-ventilated place. When cleaning stainless steel items, however, do not use highly abrasive accessories such as abrasive wool or wire brushes. It is also not recommended to use preparations based on strong acids or alkalis, because they may cause discoloration of the surface of stainless steel
