hand cleaning BBQ grill Credit: Getty
hand cleaning BBQ grill Credit: Getty
hand cleaning BBQ grill Credit: Getty
hand cleaning BBQ grill
Credit: Getty
Cooking out is one of the great pleasures of summer—that is, as long as your grill doesn’t burst into flames when all the gunk you forgot to clean out of it catches on fire. Yes, this can actually happen. “Most of us just grill, turn it off and walk away, but over time food residue builds up and can cause unexpected, dangerous flare-ups,” says EatingWell magazine’s food editor Jim Romanoff.
On a less dramatic note, it’s not very healthy to eat the charred bits that can be stuck to food that’s been cooked on a dirty grill. “For safety and grill longevity, regular maintenance is a must,” says Romanoff. In other words, you’re gonna want to clean your grill. You should be cleaning your grill every time you cook on it, as well as giving it a deeper clean every few months and a super-deep clean twice a year. Read on for our general guide for most grills, and also check your owner’s manual for manufacturer-specific tips.
Best Tools for Cleaning Your Grill
Grill brush or scraper
Metal spatula or putty knife
Nonabrasive sponge and dish soap
How to Clean Your Grill
After each use
“Manufacturers recommend letting the grill cool completely before cleaning, but because it takes less elbow grease, I carefully clean the grates while they are still warm,” says Romanoff. Use a long-handled wire grill brush to clean your grill grates immediately after use.
Once the grill is cool, remove and empty the small grease tray under the grill. “Built-up drippings can be a recipe for an unruly grease fire,” Romanoff warns. For good measure, you should also brush your grill off again after preheating it for your next BBQ. Then oil it using folded paper towels saturated in oil before cooking. (See more grilling tips.)
Every few months
Your grill needs a deeper cleaning every couple of months. Here are Romanoff’s instructions: “Remove the grates and triangular metal protectors that sit directly over the burners. Scrape any residue with a metal spatula or putty knife. Then use a grill brush (or even a paper clip) to clean the tiny holes in each burner tube. Scrape the sides and bottom of the grill box with the spatula or putty knife and push the debris through the hole leading to the drip pan. (Cool grill scrapings can be composted or thrown away.)”
Twice a year
Every six months, you should give your grill the above treatment, followed by a good scrubbing. “Brush the underside of the grill lid to remove any black flakes of smoky grease so they won’t fall into your food,” says Romanoff. “Give the whole exterior a good scrubbing with warm soapy water and a nonabrasive sponge. Rinse well with clean water.” And you’re done! With routine maintenance you should be safe from dirty-grill related mishaps and ready to grill year-round. We have hundreds of grilling and BBQ recipes to inspire you to fire up the grill.
Got cooking questions? Email them to us at testkitchen@eatingwell.com.
