Can you use oven cleaner on a grill?
There are many things that can go wrong with a grill, but one of the most common is buildup on the cooking surface. Grills can be cleaned using a variety of methods, including steel wool and oven cleaner. But before you resort to this extreme measure, make sure to read all safety precautions first.
Oven cleaners are designed to be powerful, but that doesn’t mean you should use them on your grill. In fact, the chemicals in oven cleaner can corrode metal grates and damage cooking surfaces. And while some oven cleaners say they’re safe for stainless steel or porcelain-coated cookware, these products may not meet strict safety standards if used on a grill.
Oven cleaners are highly toxic substances that should only be used in an area where there’s plenty of ventilation and not near anything else flammable because they’re so dangerous. They can really damage your health if inhaled or ingested too often without wearing gloves or respiratory protection. Can you use oven cleaner on a grill? This article discusses how to use oven cleaner on grills safely by following these steps.
Table of Contents
Why is it important to clean your grill regularly?
You may be wondering “Why is it important to clean your grill regularly?” It’s a question that many people ask themselves when they are grilling; Is my grill dirty enough to make me sick? What kind of bacteria can I find on my grill, and how can it make me sick?
There are several reasons why regular cleaning of the grill is incredibly important. First, if you store your grill for an extended period of time (for example during the winter), there is a chance that rust will develop in certain parts. Rust isn’t just unsightly; it can also cause your grill to break down much sooner than expected. An additional reason for regular cleaning is so that food particles don’t burn onto the grate over time. Leftover food that is not cleaned from the grill can cause a bad taste to develop on your next grilled meal. Furthermore, that leftover food might be sticking to the grate and burning onto it as well. The buildup of this leftover food will eventually become a breeding ground for bacteria. Not only do those bacteria look disgusting, but they also create harmful toxins which are released into the environment as smoke from your grill. If you cook meat, make sure you cook it all the way through so no parts stay uncooked – otherwise those parts could be contaminated with bacteria as well.
Besides, The buildup of food and grease can affect its performance and in some cases cause a fire. Flareups are caused by grease dripping onto fire below or charring food stuck to grates. Sometimes flareups result from fat dripping onto the coals and catching fire. But more often than not, it is food particles on the grate that do it because of heat’s ability to break down organic compound molecules into flammable gases, according to a study published in 1998 titled “Fire Safety Science- Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium” by Marcus Elvidge , retired chief of research at Underwriters Laboratories Inc., the company that certifies all household appliances for safety compliance.
When grease comes in contact with the flames, it often burns and sticks to the grate. The flaming grease can easily spread from the grill to combustible material nearby such as decking, shrubs and wooden fences . When you’re done cooking and before you turn off your grill , scrape the grate clean with a wire brush while it’s still hot. This will keep any leftover food particles from catching fire or adding extra dirt to your next meal. If anything has burned onto the grate and chars on, but is not so blackened you can’t tell what it was, don’t try to remove this yourself; call a professional servicing company like Pro Grill Inc., Mr. Elvidge said in an interview. A wire brush might be all it takes to scrape it off. If some food particles have burned on black, you can heat up your grill and use the wire brush again.
Once all of the remaining material is removed from your grill, turn off gas before shutting lid or extinguishing coals with water.
Never spray a fire extinguisher onto a hot grill because there’s a risk of explosion. The safest way to fight a fire is to turn on the hood fan above the stove and open windows if available. Can you use oven cleaner on a grill?
You may like this: Top 7 Best Gas Grills under $300 Reviewed in Detail
When should you clean it?
There’s no exact science behind when the best time to clean a barbecue or grill grate is. Some people choose to do so before and after every use, while others wait until the grate appears dirty enough to warrant a cleaning. And if you live in an especially dusty area or are prone to overzealous marinade usage, make sure to keep an eye on how quickly carbon residue accumulates on your grill grate. The more frequently you clean it, the better off you’ll be in the long run—and the happier your guests will be with their food!
How do you clean the inside of your grill without using oven cleaner
Question: I have a gas grill that the inside is done in porcelain. How do you clean it without using oven cleaner? I would like to know how to keep it from getting so dirty and what products are safe for this use. Can you use oven cleaner on a grill?
Answer: Since grills cook at high temperatures, they need to be cleaned after each time they are used. Porcelain surfaces can become slick with grease if not taken care of properly. The best way to go about cleaning your grill is with a putty knife, steel wool and non-abrasive cleaners such as Formula 409 or Fantastic. It also helps to cover the outside of the grill with aluminum foil before cooking (this keeps the food particles contained). Be sure not to use oven cleaner on porcelain surfaces.
Maintaining a grill after it has been cleaned is an important part of the process and not doing so will eventually lead to your grill having rust or creosote. You can help keep this from happening with these tips:
– Always keep the inside of the lid covered with foil while grilling. This keeps food particles from building up and becoming hard to remove later.
– Clean your grill when you are finished using it instead of waiting until the next time
– Oil all metal parts after cleaning (after grates cool)
– Coat entire cooking area with vegetable oil before storing, this prevents rusting in storage
Cleaning smaller or harder to remove items can be done with a steel brush or scouring pad. Never use anything abrasive on the porcelain parts of your grill as this is what it’s made to resist.
How to clean your grill with oven cleaner
Every summer, the days are longer, people cook outside more often. There is nothing better than open-flame grilled steaks, burgers or hot dogs. Even though you basically go through all the trouble of getting shaving coals hot enough to sear in all that flavor and perfect grill marks on your food, there’s one thing that makes it anything but perfect: The gunk left behind on your grill!
No matter how many times I clean my barbecue with soap or whatnot (even oven cleaner), there always seems to be something left over. It might taste like an old ashtray mixed with stale beer when you eat it; at least I would think so. A good way to avoid this is by using oven cleaner. When done right, it can give you a perfectly clean grill in twenty minutes, especially when combined with the next method.
Can you use oven cleaner on a grill?
– Get one tin of oven cleaner (the cheapest kind is fine) and spread it evenly over your barbecue’s grates with a thin brush or rag. If you use too much, it will drip down into any cracks and crevices and might be hard to come out later on.
– Heat up your grill for at least half an hour or until the oven cleaner starts bubbling and foaming (or whatever else it does).
– Once this happens, turn off the heat and let everything cool down for at least five minutes before touching anything!
– Everything should be baked onto pretty well by now; scrub off the cleaner residue with a grill brush while it’s still warm.
If you notice any stains or tough-to-remove bits of gunk, hit them up with some steel wool before scrubbing off the oven cleaner. If you did everything correctly, your barbecue will literally sparkle! No more old food particles getting stuck in between its grates and wasting your interest away from barbecuing for good because of disgusting tastes every time you use it. Just remember to replace that tin of oven cleaner next spring so that you can get back to cooking delicious grilled treats this summer!
The risks of using oven cleaner for grills
Most people use oven cleaner to clean their ovens and grills, but what does it do to a human? The truth is no one really knows. There are some effects that are known, but there are several factors which make it hard to tell exactly what the effects will be.
– As the name implies this is a chemical solution designed to soften baked on substances in ovens.
– From the labelling it is clear that not only are you supposed to keep this away from your face, but also out of reach of children and pets.
– So do you believe that the contents of this product are safe for cleaning your outdoor barbeque?
– Oven cleaner can cause severe damage if inhaled or swallowed, including damage to the lungs and kidneys which may be fatal. It can cause blindness and other serious injury. Burns may develop quickly after skin contact. If accidentally splashed into eyes , it will cause serious irritation or burns. This is clearly not something you would want to be inhaling or getting in your eyes.
– Oven cleaners contain several hazardous chemicals, including aliphatic hydrocarbons, lye (sodium hydroxide), sulfides and fragrances which are irritating if they come into contact with skin or eyes [7]. The greatest risk arises from the vapours which can produce harmful effects on the lining of the lungs , the respiratory system and may result in death.
– One of these is lye (Sodium hydroxide) which causes severe burns or any part of the body it comes into contact with. Breathing problems leading to lung damage may occur with fumes, especially when mixed with other chemicals. Sodium hydroxide and other ingredients in oven cleaners can cause burns , and if swallowed can lead to severe damage of the lining of the stomach.
– A second hazardous chemical is aliphatic hydrocarbons which are flammable and may be harmful if inhaled or swallowed.
– A third hazardous chemical is fragrances (parfum) . Although this has not been identified as a health risk it does indicate that there may be ‘other’ chemicals included in the formulation which we don’t know about.
– Although there is some evidence that repeated exposure to lye and parafin oils over an extended period may contribute to respiratory disease, the key issue is the risk of serious harm from a single exposure.
– Repeated inhalation or ingestion of these chemicals may cause damage to organs such as lungs, kidneys and liver. This could occur when using oven cleaner for cleaning barbeque grills (outside).
Some Grill Cleaning Tips You Should Know
Can you use oven cleaner on a grill? There are many ways to clean the outside of your grill. Here are some suggestions:
– Clean with soap and water – Fill a bucket with warm soapy water, and use a sponge or brush to clean the exterior of your grill. You may find it easier to clean while the grill is still warm, but if not you can also do this after cooking when the grates have cooled down.
– Clean with baking soda – This method works well for removing tough residue that doesn’t come off easily using other methods. Sprinkle some baking soda on an old damp cloth, then wipe it over the dirty areas of your grill (you want to avoid using too much because it’s good forbq ribs). Allow to sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it away with a damp cloth.
– Clean with lemon – Cut open an old lemon, and sprinkle the cut side liberally with coarse salt. Then use this as a scrubber to clean your grill grates or exterior (don’t let it sit too long though because you don’t want to eat the salt). This will help remove tough residue like rust easily.
– Clean stubborn areas using Q-tips – You can also use Q-tips dipped in vinegar to get into smaller areas that are harder to reach all over the exterior of your grill (do not leave them there too long if they come into contact with any plastic parts).
– Use oven cleaner – If none of the above methods work, you can use a product like oven cleaner to get rid of tough stains on your grill. Wear rubber gloves and follow the instructions from the oven cleaner’s packaging carefully. Start by spraying it all over your dirty exterior, then let it sit for 10-20 minutes before scrubbing with a sponge or brush. Finally rinse with water and dry completely.
– Clean with lighter fluid – If you’re in a hurry to clean your grill and don’t have any other items available this will work in a pinch (the smell of lighter fluid may not be appealing though). Apply some lighter fluid to an old cloth or paper towel and wipe down all surfaces liberally until they appear clean (you’ll need lots of ventilation while doing this). Then simply rinse with water and dry completely.
– Use a grill stone – A grill stone is another great option if you’re looking for an easy way to clean your grates. Just follow the instructions on the packaging, and apply some cooking oil before using for best results. However it’s not recommended that you use this to clean your exterior.
– Scrape with a metal spatula – If none of the above methods work, try scraping with a metal garden/paint spatula (just be very careful because they can scratch your exterior). But make sure you hold it like a knife when doing this otherwise it could slip and cause damage (so never do this at an angle or sideways for example).
– Use a pressure washer – If you have access to a pressure washer then this will remove grease and grime quickly. Aim the water at your grill carefully, then adjust the nozzle for high power if needed. Finally once everything has been rinsed away, dry with paper towel or cloth that is free of lint.
Now that you know how to clean your grill , it’s time to start cooking some mouthwatering barbecue fare! Save these grilling tips so you’ll have them on-hand the next time you’re whipping up burgers, steak or anything else that anyone can devour!
Read more: Top 7 Best 5 Burner Gas Grills You Can Buy in 2022
Some Natural Homemade Grill Cleaners
Recently, during an early morning smoke session with my friends in the backyard, I noticed that my grill was looking pretty dirty. I thought to myself, “I wonder if there is anything in the house that could clean this thing up?” Then it dawned on me; maybe I should search online for some solutions. As always, when searching online for various topics related to smoking, grilling or barbecuing food items, you are bound to find something relevant to your topic of choice. And sure enough that is exactly what happened! After looking for a few minutes, I found several different homemade grill cleaners, which made my life easier and produced great results too!
With that out-of-the-way let’s get down to business! Can you use oven cleaner on a grill?
Aluminum Foil: I have found that aluminum foil can be used very effectively cleaning your grill grates by simply balling up a small amount and scrubbing the grates back and forth. After doing this you can turn up the heat on your smoker and burn off any remaining residue by leaving the foil in place for a few minutes before removing it. This cleaning method also works well if you are smoking ribs or other foods that release juice into the bottom of your smoker.
Baking Soda: Spread baking soda over all grime inside your grill and sprinkle with water until damp (make sure to use gloves when handling baking soda). Let the mix sit overnight; in the morning, using a wire brush, remove residue from grill surface. If necessary, repeat process until clean. Baking soda is an effective cleaner for smokers because it does not contain harsh chemicals which could result in damage to the paint job or other parts.
Bleach: I don’t recommend using bleach on aluminum because of the mist that results from spraying it, but if you are careful this method works. Make sure to wear gloves and eye protection when handling bleach and spray down your grill with a generous amount. Let sit for an hour or so and then scrub down with a wire brush, rinse off thoroughly and dry before putting away. The reason why I do not recommend using bleach is because it can strip your smoker of its original coatings and cause rusting in the future.
Citrus Peels: After cooking fatty foods or meats that release oils into your smoker, place orange or lemon peels in smoker overnight (or longer). In the morning, remove peels and wipe down smoker with a damp cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly before returning to use. Can you use oven cleaner on a grill?
Salt: Place a cup of salt in your grill and add enough water to make a paste about as thick as pancake batter. Let sit for several hours and scrub off residue using a plastic brush or putty knife. You can let the cooker cool completely before doing this if you would like, but I have found that it is not necessary. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly before returning to use! Also, please do not use table salt because it contains iodine which may affect the taste of your food if left on too long.
Vinegar: If you are looking for something cheap easy and effective then this is the method for you! Also, it helps break down food residue that other cleaners may leave behind. Simply apply enough vinegar to cover your grill grates and let sit for an hour or so; then scrub with a wire brush and rinse thoroughly.
WD-40: Spray liberally and allow to soak while you finish cooking. Then wipe clean using a clean cloth or paper towel before returning your smoker to storage. Before applying this process please note that WD-40 can damage paint jobs if left on too long so if you are concerned be sure to only use it in areas where there is no paint. I have used this method extensively on my Big Chief Smoker without any problems but always be cautious when experimenting with new substances.
>> Can you use oven cleaner on a grill? How to Clean Your Gas Grill | Once a Year Deep Clean
Related Questions
How do you clean grill grates without a brush?
Using this method to clean your dirty, gunky grill grate. It’s fast and easy. What you’ll need: Aluminum foil, tongs, large plate or baking sheet with raised edges (optional)
– Line your large plate or baking sheet with aluminum foil so that when you’re done it will be easy to just toss the foil away.
– Place the grates on your grill and turn it to high so they start heating up while you do step 3.
– Crumple a sheet of aluminum foil into a ball then flatten it back out. You can use a whole sheet or just half, depending on how many grates you have to clean, that’s what I did here since this is just for one grate. Then fold it in half and cut off any extra pieces of aluminum foil hanging off the edges so that it will be easy to get under the grates when you’re ready (optional). The cutting part isn’t all that important because after they heat up the folds will open by themselves but I like doing it because then they heat up really fast.
– Place the folded piece of aluminum foil under one end of the hot grate.
– Using tongs or your hand (make sure you’ve got long sleeves on!) grab the opposite end of the grate and lift it straight up off the grill, set it down on top of the aluminum foil then let it fall flat so that you’re left with just about 1/2 inch hanging off each edge for now (see pic below).
-Note: I didn’t cut my aluminum foil into smaller pieces to accommodate all four grates because I was just doing this for demonstration purposes only to show how easy it is to clean them without a brush! If using this method while cooking dinner for example, you’ll probably want to cut up your aluminum foil into four pieces then do the same thing for all the grates that you’re cooking on.
– Using tongs or your hand, lift one of the corners that’s hanging off and fold it over a few times until you get to the end of the grate (see pic below).
– Remove from heat and let cool down enough so you can touch it without getting burned! Flip to opposite side and repeat steps 6 & 7.
– Once cooled down enough so you can touch them without getting burned, carefully pick up each corner that was folded over and slowly drag it along until all excess pieces are gone (see pic below), then just discard this piece of aluminum foil in the trash can.
-Note: If you use enough aluminum foil this step should take less than five seconds each but it might take longer if you don’t use enough to grab onto, so just be patient because it won’t take long. The only thing I would watch out for is that you don’t scrape off the pieces of food that are stuck on there because that can make your grill grate stick to your food next time around (not good!).
– Once all excess pieces are gone turn over and repeat steps 6 & 7 on opposite side then place back on grill for cooking.
– Repeat steps 1 through 9 until all grates are clean.
See more: Best Indoor Grills And Air Fryer Combo
Can I use olive oil to coat the grill?
You can use any type of cooking oil on the grill, although some oils are better for high heat while others are best on lower heat. Can you use oven cleaner on a grill?
High Heat oils on Grill: Canola Oil, Vegetable Oil, Corn Oil, Peanut Oil
Medium Heat oils on Grill: Olive OIl*, Safflower Oil*, Flax Seed Oil*
Low Heat Oils on Grill : Grape Seed Oil, Walnut Oil
Note*: These oils tend to have a strong flavor. If you’re using them in order to get rid of an old oil that’s had fish or other strong flavors cooked in it you might want to consider replacing these with more neutral tasting highheat/medium heat oils listed above. You could also try preheating your oil and then cleaning it off before cooking.
People with certain health concerns might want to avoid oils that have been through a lot of processing as they could contain trans-fats (like peanut oil).
Olive oil is great for finishing your dish or putting on salads but it’s not well suited for high heat cooking like grilling. It has a low flashpoint which means the oil starts deteriorating at relatively low temperatures, something you definitely don’t want happening right above the fire! This isn’t necessarily bad news though because there are plenty of other oils that will work well on higher heat and still give you those deep rich flavors we all love. Try using grapeseed instead!
Can you use oven cleaner on a grill – Conclusion
Grills are one of the most popular outdoor cooking appliances for summer. Grill cleaning is a task that many people dread, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Utilizing natural cleaners and following these tips will ensure your grill stays in top shape all season long!
You can use oven cleaner on a grill. But it is not recommended due to the fumes and risk of corrosion. Oven cleaners are designed to be corrosive so they may do more harm than good for your grill if sprayed or applied improperly. Let’s talk about how we can safely clean your grill with products that won’t damage its surface!
See more:
