Our tips for cleaning your barbecue grill
What’s the best way to clean a particularly dirty barbecue? This is the question many grilling enthusiasts ask themselves, who have a blast during summer and winter. But how do you clean a barbecue grill efficiently and with as little effort as possible? Are there effective homemade solutions? What are the elements to observe for each type of barbecue? continue reading to find out the best solutions…
Clean the grid: points to observe.
After a nice barbecue evening comes the chore of cleaning the grill: the grease, marinade, and encrusted meat juice must be cleaned after each use. And there is no question of skipping this step if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises at the next barbecue … But cleaning the grill is also important for hygienic reasons.
Here are some helpful tips for cleaning your barbecue grill: If you are grilling with charcoal, you can use the ashes to clean the grill. For this, you will only need an old cloth: first, dampen it, then dip it in the ash. Thoroughly rub the grill with a mixture of ash and water. The ash, acting as an abrasive, will then remove the most heavily encrusted dirt. Once all the remains are removed, all you have to do is rinse your grid well with clean water.
In addition to this very simple tip, you can also opt for special barbecue cleaners, which are very useful for cleaning your grill quickly and efficiently. Cleaning sprays are particularly effective in getting rid of encrusted dirt.
You can also use a traditional oven cleaner: spray the product liberally on the grill, place it in a basin or wrap it in a large plastic bag, then leave to act – at least a few hours, ideally overnight. Once softened, dirt and food residues will magically disappear. To do this, you can use a hard sponge or a special barbecue brush. Finally, rinse the grid with clean water and voila!
If you are using a gas barbecue, you can also heat the grill. Be careful, this trick only works if your barbecue is equipped with a cover. Even the most stubborn grease residues won’t resist! To do this, simply leave the dirty grill in the barbecue, then heat it at maximum power. The fat on the grill will come off of itself when it burns. All you have to do is remove the remains and clean everything up a bit. Use this method preferably when the barbecue is still hot. This will prevent you from wasting gas unnecessarily by turning it back on.
To clean an enameled grill, the special barbecue brushes with brass bristles are ideal: the brass bristles effectively and gently clean surfaces such as enamel, stainless steel, or chrome. However, avoid using thick steel brushes. You can also roll a medium-sized sheet of aluminum foil into a ball and use it as a brush.
Tip: To make it easier to clean the grill, you can brush it with oil before cooking. Result: you will have less charred deposits to scrape off. Whenever possible, food should also be brushed with oil to prevent it from sticking to the grill.
Home remedies to clean the barbecue grill
While there is a wide range of barbecue cleaners on the market, there are also some “grandma’s” tips that have proven their worth. A brief overview:
Clean the barbecue grill with baking soda
Considered a miracle product for household maintenance, baking soda can also be used to clean the barbecue. Take a basin and place the barbecue grill there. Sprinkle liberally with baking soda, then add water – just enough to cover the grill. Then use another sachet to rub it and leave to act. After a few hours, the baking soda will attack the fat, dissolve it, and you can get rid of it more easily.
Cola to clean my barbecue grill?
No, it’s not a joke, it really works! Pour cola into a basin until it completely covers the grid. Let it soak for several hours: the carbon dioxide and other acids contained in the cola will attack the encrusted dirt and dissolve it. Simply rinse the grid and you’re done!
Clean the barbecue grill with newspaper
Simple but formidable efficiency! First, let the rack cool, then wrap it in damp newspaper. Leave on for a few hours only. Now that the encrusted dirt is perfectly soft, you will have no trouble wiping it off with a sponge and a little soapy water.
Each barbecue grill type has its own cleaning tips
Besides traditional charcoal barbecues, gas and electric barbecues are also very popular. While each type of barbecue has its own advantages when it comes to cleaning, there are some differences:
Clean a charcoal barbecue
Remember to completely empty the barbecue after each use. If you leave the charcoal in the barbecue, it may oxidize faster – because the charcoal will absorb moisture. In addition, the fine particles of carbon may block the ventilation system of your appliance in the short term and thus obstruct the air circulation.
Also, remember to regularly clean the various surfaces of your barbecue. For this, clean lukewarm water is sufficient. If there is any residue, you can use a drizzle of washing liquid. Avoid using a hard sponge to not scratch the surfaces.
Properly cleaning an electric barbecue
Before you start cleaning your appliance, unplug it so that the gas supply is shut off. As you use water to clean it, there is a risk of electrocution – with sometimes fatal consequences! Also, remember to let your electric barbecue cool down before putting it away.
To clean, use a dish brush classic, water, and a mild detergent and a lint-free cloth for finishing. Caution: steel wool or scrapers for ceramic hobs must not be used to clean electric barbecues: they may damage the surface of the appliance. As a result, the meat could stick together and burn.
Tips for cleaning a gas barbecue
Before cleaning your gas barbecue, turn off the gas cylinder. Then clean your device with soapy water. Good to know: a little lemon juice can remove stubborn dirt more effectively.
