I personally don’t know anyone who looks forward to cleaning their barbeque grill. But if you own a grill, then cleaning is a necessary activity you need to accomplish. Cleaning is first on the list of regular maintenance items. If you gather up the right cleaning tools, it may not be as bad as you think. And the clean grill that results will be worth the effort.
Considering the cost of most barbeque grills today, it makes sense that you would want it to last as long as possible. Proper BBQ grill cleaning is the first step to a long-lasting grill. And not only will your grill last longer, it’s no secret that food cooked on a clean, well-maintained grill simply tastes better. A grill is like any other device; it is designed to operate a certain way, and excessive dirt and grease buildup interferes with proper operation.
Unless your owner’s manual recommends against it, a good stainless steel scraper can keep your cooking surface clean. Start cleaning after the grill has cooled to a normal temperature. Leftover food on the grill will come off easier if it has been burned to a crisp. On gas grills, you can do this by leaving the flame on for a few minutes after removing the food. This process tends to happen naturally on charcoal grills as the coals cool down after cooking. It’s also possible to brush the grill with a wire brush the next time you preheat it. Either way, it’s important to remove food particles so that you prevent the growth of bacteria.
Regular scrubbing of the exterior of your grill will keep it looking new and will prevent the accumulation of ingrained dirt in the finish. Pay special attention to the joints of the grill. These difficult-to-clean areas can be tackled with a toothbrush. Of course, adding a fitted grill cover can greatly reduce the number of times you’ll need to clean your grill’s exterior.