Which cleaning type are you?
While it can be a bit of a chore, keeping your barbecue clean is essential for achieving delicious results and avoiding rust accumulating. There are many methods that people use to clean their barbecues. Which type are you?
The environmentally conscious.
Do you feel a sense of responsibility to do your part for the environment and want to avoid chemical cleaners? Try vinegar. An essential ingredient in your salad dressing, it also makes a great barbecue cleaner for environmentally conscious chefs.
Simply follow these simple steps: pour two cups of vinegar into a spray bottle and add two cups of water. Spray the solution on the top and bottom of the barbecue grates until they’re saturated. Allow to dry at least 10 minutes. In the meantime, pour out any remaining solution and refill the bottle with vinegar only. Now spray the vinegar on some aluminium foil and use it to scrub the grill's interior. No rinsing is required.
The old-school type.
A traditionalist, you trust your grandmother’s advice when it comes to housework. And what she suggests is scouring cream. Put a few drops on a rough sponge and scrub the grates of your barbecue. Leave the grate for at least 15 minutes and let the scouring cream work into the dirt. Then wash the rack with clean water and repeat.
The timesaver.
Is time of the essence? If you want to get your barbecue clean quickly, forget the myths about your dishwasher being too abrasive for cleaning your barbecue grates. To prepare it for the dishwasher, just soak the grates beforehand, scrape off solid food remains before placing it in the bottom rack and use the special Intensive Zone option. While you’re enjoying dessert with your guests, your dishwasher does the hard work for you.
The professional barbecue chef.
Professional barbecue chefs know that cooking with high heat is a great advantage when it comes to cleaning: Every time you fire up your barbecue, let the grate heat up over the intense heat for about five minutes. This will burn away any remnants of food. After that, a grill brush and a little elbow grease will easily take care of the rest. If you haven't already, invest in a good grill brush with a long handle and firm bristles or scouring pad and make this part of grill care child’s play!
Good to go this barbecue season.
Use grill pans to avoid a dirty grill grate. Dip a padded paper towel in a little oil and, using tongs, wipe the oil evenly over the grate – this way you avoid food sticking to the barbecue and won’t end up with dirty grates.
No-gos during barbecue summer.
Never use harsh chemicals, high pressure cleaners or oven cleaners.