To clean a BBQ grill, start by firing it up, closing the hood, and letting it come to full temperature. Wait at least 30 minutes for the extreme temperature to singe any stuck-on food or grease. Next, dip the wire brush into a bucket of warm, soapy water and scrub off all the carbon from the grates. Then turn off the gas, and disconnect and remove the propane tank. Let the grill cool completely. For charcoal grills, simply dump the old charcoal briquettes into a metal container. Then, scrape away any caked-on charcoal dust and debris with a putty knife.
Cleaning Hacks For a Sparkling Clean BBQ
Use Vinegar To Clean A BBQ Grate
Make a vinegar solution with equal parts white vinegar and water, spray onto your grill, and let sit for half an hour. Then, empty the bottle and refill with a small quantity of neat vinegar. Spray again, let it sit for another half an hour, and then wipe your grate clean.
The magical ingredient in vinegar is acetic acid which degrades dirt and food debris But this is just one of many ways to use vinegar to clean your home. Add a little table salt and you’ve transformed your seasonings into a rust remover.
Scrub Everything
After the grates and panels have soaked, take them out and scrub them with the wire brush. For really stubborn crud, mix a paste of white vinegar and baking soda and apply it directly to the worst caked-on bits. Rinse all surfaces clean, making sure to thoroughly dry cast-iron grates to avoid rusting. And this is also a great time to inspect the porcelain grates for chips, which may eventually lead to rust. Clean any chips or rust thoroughly and coat with oil to form a protective film when the grates are seasoned before you use it again.
Wash and Wipe
Empty the bucket of dirty water, then refill it with clean water and a few squirts of dish soap. Now scrub down the entire outside of the grill using a large kitchen sponge. Be aware that steel wool, metal sponges, and coarse scouring pads can cause scratches, so avoid using them on finished surfaces. After washing the outside of the grill, use super absorbent micro-fiber towels to wipe down and dry all surfaces.
