How To Clean Your BBQ

The winter months can see us neglecting our outdoor equipment and furniture. When the colder days and darker nights set in, we tend to turn our backs on our gardens and wait patiently — or not, as the case may be — for the return of the sunshine and our opportunity to relax in our outdoor setting once more. 

 

However, during this time, your equipment can become unusable due to the build-up of unwanted residue. The harsh weather can cause havoc on any items left outside, especially your barbecue. If you want to make sure you can continue to flip those burgers and sizzle those sausages, keeping on top of the upkeep of your barbecue is essential. It is of course important to keep any other cookware clean, with this guide to pots and pans. Here, we will look at the best ways to clean your BBQ so that it is fit and ready for action when the weather picks up. 

 

Set It Ablaze

 

Okay, so this might sound like a weird place to start but stick with us. Although recommended, many of us won’t thoroughly clean our equipment after each use. While the likes of our tongs and spatulas will be cleaned by hand when we pack up, the grill is sometimes left forgotten.  

 

If this sounds like something you have done, and you have left the dirt stagnating for months on, then start up your barbecue – just minus the food! By having an intense heat, this will burn off a lot of the most stubborn lingering food pieces and make it easier to rid those still clinging on.

 

Wipe The Grill

 

Once you’ve had the flames burning and the residue has either disappeared or loosened, it’s time to wipe that grill clean — once it’s cool enough to touch, of course. With a wire-bristled brush, scrub over your grill, just as you would with your oven’s version. To avoid any damage to your equipment, it’s recommended that you use a brass-bristled brush. However, don’t fear if you don’t have one of these to hand. Simply screw up a ball of aluminium foil and use this instead.

 

Next up, get hot soapy water at the ready. Again, just as you would with your kitchen utensils, clean it with a dishcloth. If you find that the grime is too stubborn, it may be worth investing in some household cleaning products. Just make sure it’s specially designed for the job, otherwise you may find it’s too abrasive and toxic.  

 

Clean The Grill Burners And Lids

 

When the grill is sparkling, you’re well on your way to a germ-free appliance; the rest of the equipment shouldn’t take as much cleaning. However, you still need to dust down inside your barbecue, using soapy water where necessary. 

 

For those with gas barbecues that have food caught in the burners, you should check the manufacturer’s guide you received when you bought it. This will tell you the best way to extract it. Make sure that no matter what is recommended, you’ve turned off your barbecue before you make an attempt.

 

What If It Has A ‘Clean’ Setting?

 

On many gas BBQs, you will find that they have a self-cleaning setting. While this is a good place to start, it certainly shouldn’t replace a manual clean. Yes, it does burn off certain particles, but it’s not a substitute for regular cleaning. 

 

Make sure you clean every cooking compartment after using it and clean the heat deflectors every couple of uses. You should also plan in an annual clean and disassemble each part to give it a thorough clean. Before putting your utensil back together, allow each component the time to thoroughly dry so that dampness doesn’t affect your product when left to sit. During this time you may wish to check out this guide to kitchen knives for advice on the best to use for BBQ cooking; and of course keeping such utensils clean is vital if they have been used to cut meat to avoid any food borne germs down the road.  

 

Cover It Up 

 

End your cleaning spree by covering up your equipment. Doing so will keep it in the best possible condition until you want to use it again. While it may seem like a fiddly job and is often overlooked, this will help to protect your barbecue from all the elements Mother Nature may throw at it. 

 

You should be able to find a cover that has been designed for your particular model and, although they may seem like an added cost, it will add years onto your barbecue’s life. This is because it will help you to avoid any unnecessary rust from occurring.  

 

Of course, each barbecue is different, so it’s important to follow instructions best suited to your equipment; this guide to grilling is very helpful. However, by following these steps, you will be well on the way to ensuring the cleanliness of your piece and your barbecue will be ready for use when the sun makes its next appearance. 

 

Sources:

https://www.thespruce.com/how-often-should-i-clean-my-grill-1900617

https://www.idealhome.co.uk/care-and-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-bbq-170977
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