Before you start planning a barbecue, the very first step is to clean the entire grill of the remnants from last summer’s culinary adventures. Even if you wiped down the grill before putting it away for the winter, it’s important to start each new season with a thorough cleaning.

How to clean a Barbecue

 Start by checking all the parts

Dig out your BBQ from the shed or garage if it’s a portable type, or uncover it if it stays outside, and check for any damage or rust. Check that none of the knobs have been knocked off, that hinges are still in working order and that all the grills and grates were put back properly. Brush away any cobwebs or spiders that might have made a home during the winter and give everything an initial wipe down with a damp cloth.

 Vinegar Spray

Mix 500 ml of vinegar and the same amount of water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the grill and leave for 10 minutes. Empty the bottle, refill with vinegar, spray on and then scrub to clean the grill and its interior.

 Clean the BBQ grill with newspaper and steam

Lynsey Queen of Clean(opens in new tab) has a neat trick with newspaper to clean a caked-on BBQ grill. Allow your barbecue to cool slightly, but while it’s still warm, lay a sheet of old newspaper across the top and generously spritz with water. Close the lid for half an hour to steam clean it.

Lynsey explains, ‘Grab one sheet of newspaper and pop it on the BBQ you’ve been using and just get a spray bottle of water and spray the newspaper. Pop the lid back on and what will happen is this will give your BBQ a steam clean. It will start to release all that grease, all that fat and all those bits from the food.  When you take the newspaper off it will be all greasy and dirty, put that away (in the bin). And you’ll find the newspaper has done most of the work for you.

Use An Onion

While there’s still some heat in your grill, attach an onion to a fork and rub over the hot bars. The water in the onion steam cleans them and removes any stuck-on food.