As someone who loves to grill, you’re probably wondering how often should you clean your grill. Well, the answer is that it depends on what type of food you are grilling and also if there are any spills or drippings from previous cooking sessions. If you have a gas grill with ceramic briquettes, then cleaning will be easier because all you need to do is scrape off excess residue after each use. On the other hand, if your gas grill has lava rocks for heat distribution then it must be cleaned more frequently since they can get clogged and cause dangerous flare-ups while cooking (which could lead to fires). For charcoal grills and smokers with ash pans below them make sure that they are emptied out after every use.
How often should you clean your grill?
Since grills are used to cook food, they often become dirty. This can lead to bacteria and other harmful substances being transferred from the grill to your food. In order for this not to happen it is essential that you clean your grill after each use. The best way of doing so is by using a wire brush or scouring pad on the grate and then wiping with a dishcloth or paper towel soaked in white vinegar until all residue has been removed. If you have any questions about how often should you clean your grill.
Some people might even use the grill brush on their barbecue with no protection. But cleaning your grill with soap and water can actually damage your grate and make it less effective when cooking food in the future
We are often asked how often you should clean your grill. If the grill has been used heavily, or if you have grilled items with a lot of sauce or grease on them, then more frequent cleaning may be necessary. Generally, once every two weeks will suffice for most grills. However, some people prefer to keep their grills very clean and do so at least once a week while others don’t bother at all. We recommend that you find what’s best for yourself and your needs!
If you have a grill, hopefully you’re cleaning it regularly because if not, your food may taste like the last thing that was grilled on it. After a while, grease and other residue can build up and get burnt onto the grill surface. This is why getting in the habit of cleaning your grill often will be very beneficial to you! In this blog post we’ll go over how often should you clean your gas or charcoal grill for best results.
Table of Contents
How often do you clean your grill
Clean your grill before and after every use
Your grill is designed to work best when it’s clean. That means the cooking grates should be scraped clean with a stiff wire brush after they have cooled from use, before you start your next grill session. The metal bars of a grate are porous and will easily catch drips from food, so they must be cleaned carefully to avoid trapping bits of food between the bars. After the grate has been brushed thoroughly once, turn off your grill and let it cool until no heat can escape from underneath. Remove any solid residue by scraping gently with a small object such as a spoon or spatula, then wipe down any remaining parts that do not come into contact with the grilling surface (such as burner covers) with a damp cloth.
Wipe down the outside of your grill. The outside of your grill also collects dirt, dust, and grease that can interfere with proper performance. The simplest way to clean this off is to spray it down with a hose after you have finished cooking for the day. If you do not have easy access to water or want something more thorough, use a damp cloth or even a scrub brush to wipe down the exterior surfaces. Make sure to avoid using any harsh cleaning products on your grill’s surface as they can damage it over time. It may be necessary to repeat these steps several times when removing heavy build-up from previous grilling sessions, but in general once should be enough before each cook out session unless there are issues present.
Clean your grill grate. To ensure the best tasting food possible, it’s essential to have a clean grilling surface. This can be achieved most easily before cooking by heating up your grill and wiping off any debris with a stiff wire brush while the metal is hot and free of ash or other residue that might catch fire or restrict airflow. Then, use tongs to hold a sheet of aluminum foil over the grates for several minutes until cooled, so that it will come away from the grill without catching on fire when touched. The foil should be folded over in both directions to form a long strip, then lifted from one end along with whatever small particles of food remain stuck to the bars using heat-resistant gloves or kitchen towels. Repeat this process until the grates are clean, then oil them lightly with vegetable or other cooking oil before you start your next session. You should never use soap to clean your grill grate as it will strip away all of its protective oil coating and rapidly promote rusting.
Clean under the lid. If you use your oven regularly, chances are that grease has built up on the glass window above the burner plates at some point over time due to splattering food particles. This can be eliminated by lining an aluminum baking sheet with foil, turning it upside down so that fat droplets fall onto the foil instead of the glass below, and running it through a self-cleaning cycle in your oven or allowing it to cook off naturally over the course of a few hours. The oven-cleaning process can also be undertaken by removing any racks inside, laying a sheet of aluminum foil on the bottom to catch drips, and heating it for an hour or two until all food residue is burned away. This should be done several times over if there was previously heavy buildup from previous use
Clean your grill’s exterior. The outside surfaces of your grill can become equally grimy if they are not cleaned regularly as well, which may interfere with how tightly the lid latches onto place and could cause overheating issues. Remove the cooking grates and brush them clean as directed above before lifting off its entire lid using silicone oven mitts so that you don’t get burned and scrub the outside surfaces with a mild dishwashing liquid detergent and warm water. Rinse these areas off thoroughly, dry them as much as possible by wiping with paper towels, then apply vegetable oil to any metal grill plates or burners that you will use within the next 24 hours so that they do not rust.
Clean beneath the burner caps. Even if this area is obscured by removable caps, it can collect grease and food particles over time which may catch fire during your next cookout unless they are cleaned regularly. Make sure to lift each one using oven mitts and wipe down underneath very carefully before replacing it securely into place to avoid injury from dripping grease. Then, remove the drip tray which will be either metal or plastic and remove the grease trap to wipe each of these areas out, then wash them thoroughly with water. Replace both tray and trap into place before cleaning up any lingering spills on the surrounding surfaces, which you should allow to dry completely prior to placing your grill back in storage.
You may like this: Top 7 Best gas grills under $200
Cleaning your barbecue at least once a week will help keep it looking nice and new for years to come!
Cleaning your barbecue at least once a week will help keep it looking nice and new for years to come.
If you leave grease, food particles and other matter to build up on the grill it could end up becoming dangerous. Here are four safety tips when cleaning your barbecue that could save you from injury or worse.
Keep children away. Safety tip number one when cleaning your barbecue is to keep children well away so they don’t get hurt by touching the hot grills or getting burned by any loose embers. Be sure to check underneath all parts of the barbecue regularly for smoldering ashes ready to burn someone’s arm or leg if they got too close. As well as keeping your kids safe, be aware that pets can also wander off in the garden when nobody is looking which makes it important for them not to come into contact with the barbecue either.
Keep your food safe. The last thing you want to do is serve up meat that has been barbecued in a dirty grill, because it could be full of bacteria that’s harmful to your health. Be sure to stick to strict hygiene rules when cooking on an unclean grill and keep raw beef away from other foods by using separate utensils for each kind of meat or fish. You should also make sure not to put cooked meat back onto the same plate or cutting board it was on when raw, as this will spread any bacteria left behind by juices seeping out of the uncooked food while it cooks. Bacteria can enter even if you only leave the food there for a few seconds, so make sure you get the food onto a clean plate or board before cooking again.
Keep your grill in tip-top condition. It’s common sense to keep your barbecue area tidy and free of clutter, but you should also give some attention to the grill itself when making a thorough cleaning routine. The best way to avoid a build of food remnants is not just by brushing them off, but also by giving the grill a good scrub with soapy water every time you clean it. You may have purchased a barbecue cover for it too, so if there are stains on the outside from splatters don’t forget about these either as they can do damage to paintwork over time. Use an appropriate cleaner instead of harsh chemicals when trying to remove such stains, and if there are rust spots try using a paste made from salt to rub the area with. If this isn’t strong enough you can always ask your supplier about other treatments.
Don’t leave it until too late. It’s best not to wait until the build-up on your barbecue is so bad that you have no choice but to take care of it immediately because no matter how much cleaning you do, the grill will never look as good as new after being left for months or years without attention. This doesn’t just apply to removing dirt and grime either; leftover food should be disposed of safely before it rots and starts giving off a foul odour which can be irritating when standing around at a barbecue.
When cleaning your barbecue at least once a week you will be able to keep it looking as good as new for years to come, and this should also mean that there’s no need for you to spend money on costly repairs or replacement.
Why is it important to clean your grill
Grills are made of porous materials that trap grease and other contaminants. This can be beneficial for cooking meat but not so advantageous for cleaning. That layer of grease and grime acts as an insulator which prolongs the time it takes to get your grill ready for its next use. This also means you will need to scrub extra hard with dangerous chemicals to try and remove all the gunk!
Grilling season can be fun and tasty, however unclean grills can leave food tasting nasty and burnt. Yuck! So, staying on top of cleaning your grill is essential – we advise that at least once a month you should remove your grill grate and give the inside of your grill a good clean.
I know this may sound shocking but just think back over the last time you have enjoyed a burger from a grill that has been used several times without being cleaned – they can be pretty tasty, right? Well, if you try and do the same with chicken or fish it will taste absolutely disgusting! That’s because meat fibers are porous and absorb flavors from the previous food items cooked on them. If your grill hasn’t been cleaned in a long time not only will all of those left over the flavours stay in the food but it also starts to smoke really badly making your meats taste bitter and sooty.
Your food will taste awful! Not only will the food tastes absolutely disgusting if you don’t clean your grill regularly, but it can also be dangerous. The QSC rating system shows that when you cook on a dirty grill it can actually add carcinogens into your food.
Another reason to clean your grill is that when you’re done cooking and turn off the heat – all of those little pieces of burning fat fall off the meat and onto the bottom of your grill. When they cool down a hard layer called a patina develops which means it takes a lot longer for your grill to get hot again next time. This is known as “carbon build up” or “resting grease”. It has been suggested by some serious grillers that this is what leads to a lot of flare-ups.
Flare ups are when little pieces of the burnt fat on your grill light on fire and start to burn your food – not good! It’s always best to avoid having these at all costs, so clean your grill regularly.
To maintain performance. If you don’t thoroughly clean your grill then the gunk that builds up will prevent your grill from cooking your food evenly, plus you won’t get an even cook on every side of the meat… So, if over time you let everything build up, pretty soon there may be areas of suffocating heat and cooler spots where meat can get stuck or dry out.
See more: 10 Best Kamado Grill Consumer Reports
How often should you clean your grill – Tips for cleaning
The best way to clean a grill is to use a wire brush and scrape off any food particles
A dirty grill can affect the taste and quality of your food and be a fire hazard. The best way to clean it is to remove any loose spills with aluminum foil before grilling, after grilling run it through high heat for 10 minutes while still warm, and finally brush it down using a wire brush.
This will get all dust and leftover residue off the barbecue therefore improving its performance such as lowering flare-ups by creating less grease on the surface. Also cleaning after cooking prevents bacteria from spreading onto other foods, you’re preparing which can cause food poisoning. If not completely cleaned your grill could catch fire when you try to start it up again because leftover drippings would have been burned until they become inedible, this can cause the metal to overheat and combust.
Never use water when cleaning your barbecue, always have a wire brush handy to get rid of small pieces that are stuck onto the grill grate or if nothing else then scrape them off with your spatula. That way there won’t be anything left overs for bacteria to grow which can become harmful if ingested. It’s also important not to leave uncooked food sitting on its own juice because it will start to smoke and burn while waiting for other foods to cook. This can also cause flare-ups which can burn your meal. Always leave the lid to your barbecue open so heat and smoke can escape this will reduce or prevent flare-ups.
You should never put your grill in the dishwasher because it will warp the metal
Have you heard someone say that they put their grill in the dishwasher? Well, it is not a good idea. Grill grates should be cleaned by hand with hot soapy water to prevent rusting and corrosion. The dishwasher has harsh chemicals, high heat, and banging around that can cause your grill grates to warp or crack. If you want clean grill marks on your food, don’t compromise the quality of your tools; wash them by hand.
The best way to clean cast iron grate is not with soap but with oven cleaner spray (or lye). These cleaners will remove everything even if it’s stuck on paint without doing any damage to the surface like wire brush does. Just use gloves since these chemicals are extremely strong.
Also, cast iron ware is porous and they are not exactly non-stick. Before putting your grill grate in the dishwasher, look at it closely if there are stuck particles or paint is peeling off then use oven cleaner to remove these issues first. The heat of the water can harm the metal structure with time, making it structurally weak. Also, if your grill is electrical, you risk electrocution by putting the grill in water.
If you need to clean your grill, simply use a wet paper towel or sponge to wipe down both sides of the grate then towel dry. That’s all that is required for most spills. If there is some burnt on gunk stuck to your grate, spray both sides with cooking oil and scrape off with a stiff wire brush before grilling next time.
How to clean grill grates? Do not put them in the dishwasher! I’m usually pretty good about remembering to take my stuff out of the sink after I’m done using it, but you will notice that just about everyone who posts pictures of their cleaned grates up on the boards, the grates are clean but everything else is still dirty.
Please use a brush to clean the stubborn particles and silt from your cast iron grates
Also, as mentioned before, never put any hot cast iron in water as it can cause warping. Be sure to dry your grate thoroughly with a paper towel to avoid rusting.
Many people suggest using oven cleaner for really dirty surfaces but it damages the cast iron grates..
When cleaning up after you’re done cooking, make sure to scrape all of the leftover food residue from inside the grill for easier cleanup next time
A dirty grill isn’t just gross, it can also become an unhealthy one. No matter how much you clean your grill after every use, bits of food inevitably burn onto the grate and drip down into the grease trap below. This leftover residue continues to cook each time you fire up the grill, releasing carcinogens that may increase your risk of cancer according to a study conducted by the University of Minnesota.
If these carcinogens are produced during regular grilling, should we be worried about eating grilled food? not really. The same study showed that grilling doesn’t necessarily produce any more carcinogens than cooking methods like frying or broiling because most meats are cooked at high enough temperatures for long enough periods of time to eliminate any and all traces of the carcinogens. So before you start worrying about eating your favorite summertime foods, just be sure to scrape out that residue after each and every use. If we grill in our backyards or on camping trips, do we need to clean it? Yes! Get yourself a wire brush (these look like giant BBQ forks) and scrub off the leftover residue right away; if you let it sit for too long, it’ll get pretty tough to remove. Then give it a good rinse with water before wiping down the grill grates with a paper towel or rag—and don’t forget to turn them over and clean them from the other side too (you don’t want old bits of food collecting between your new meal and the hot metal).
You can use a putty knife or any flat, stiff scraper to scrape the excess food off the inside of the grill. Be careful not to cut yourself with the sharp metal edges.
Don’t forget that your BBQ Grill is made up of small metal ridges and they’re all stuck together by burnt on goo. If you try using tongs to wipe it out, you’ll just tear up your cleaning cloth instead of actually getting it clean.
As an added note never spray oil directly onto the grill grate even if cooking oily food because doing this will probably damage your barbecue due to its direct contact with flames. Oil sprays are for cooking equipment such as pans and woks, not grills. If you feel like your barbecue is starting to collect dust then take it apart and wire brush its surface to remove any rust or grime that’s formed because that will also affect the taste of your food when barbecuing since it will become absorbed in the process.
Oil your grill grates after cleaning and before putting food items on it the next time around. To do this, take some paper towels and fold them several times until they’re thick enough for you to pick up. Lay them flat and then put a light coat of oil on one side and cover the grate with it by laying the folded paper towel across the grate and turning the whole thing over so that it’s oil-side down.
Always make sure to keep extra grill brushes handy in order to always have a clean one whenever needed, store them inside a jar with warm water and soap and let them soak until next time you need to use them. That way they won’t get dirty from storage and can be used immediately. Keep in mind if you’re using an electric grill instead of charcoal then it doesn’t require much.
You can use white vinegar or baking soda as alternatives to chemical cleaners if you want to avoid harsh chemicals that might irritate skin
Grill grates can be very difficult to clean, especially if you’re using a gas grill. Vinegar will help break down the baked-on food residue. A little elbow grease and a scouring pad will do the rest. Baking soda won’t harm your BBQ’S enamel or steel surfaces, but make sure it’s completely rinsed off before turning on the grill. It helps to remove burnt odors from hard to clean places like baking dishes too.
You can also use salt as an abrasive cleaner, just sprinkle some coarse salt on leftover grease stains and scrub with a brush till they disappear. All these should work for other types of grills as well, just give them time to do their magic.
Just remember to take any removable items like grates, drip trays, off your grill when cleaning with these methods. The best thing is to clean them right after you finish cooking your last meal. They don’t have much time to harden that way. Remember that nothing will remove rust permanently so you should season the metal surfaces yearly with a good quality vegetable oil spray or solid shortening grease.
Once your grill grate has cooled down completely turn your gas supply valve on for about 10 seconds then soak them in warm water for 15 minutes before scrubbing away food debris and grease stains with a wire brush or strong nylon pad.
You can also use vinegar or baking soda to remove burned-on food residue from the grates. After making sure they’re completely rinsed off, you can use a scouring pad and scrub the grate clean.
If there’s rust visible or if your cooking grate is very greasy or dirty, soak them overnight in water with 1/4 cup of baking soda added to it. Finally brush away any stubborn spots with a steel wire brush before giving them a good rinse and letting them dry out completely.
Once your grill grate has cooled down, turn on the gas supply valve for about 10 seconds then soak them in warm water for 15 minutes before scrubbing away food debris and grease stains with a wire brush or strong nylon pad – followed by thorough rinsing and allowing to air dry. You may need to re-season them once they’re completely dry.
As an alternative you can clean your grill grate with coarse salt and a wire brush to remove burnt on food residue. Just sprinkle some coarse salt onto leftover grease stains then scrub away with a stiff bristle brush. Once finished, rinse any excess salt off the grill grates before allowing them to air dry completely.
By following these simple tips you’ll never have to resort to toxic chemical cleaners again, giving yourself peace of mind while also protecting your family’s health. You may find that it takes a little more time and elbow grease but the benefits are worth it! 4.3. Empty out any old grease or other gunk that has accumulated in the bottom of the grill.
>> How to clean your grill like a PRO
The best way to store a dirty grill so that it doesn’t get too dirty or moldy
The best way to store a dirty grill so that it doesn’t get too dirty or moldy
First, you need a good grill cover. Second, take your cover off as soon as possible after grilling, prop it up above the grates, and let it air out during the day. This will dry out any moisture from rain or snowfall. If you don’t have a grill cover for some reason, simply leave it on top of an upside-down bucket or box with one side propped open to allow airflow inside the box/bucket. Third, if there’s no way to keep your grill outdoors (you live in an apartment), get yourself several 6 oz foil steam pans, like this one. Leave them under your grill(s) when you’re not using it/them. When you are about to grill, pull one out, place it under your grate(s), lift up the grates and use the steam pan as a drip catcher (save that fat for later use).
If there is no option but to keep your grill inside, then I recommend keeping several 6 oz foil steam pans around in order to catch drips and spills during cooking and having some disposable aluminum baking sheets on hand is never a bad idea anyway. Every time you cook with any kind of fat or oil in, wipe down all surfaces with some paper towels dampened in hot water with dish soap. Then dry everything thoroughly with clean paper towels. This will do a good job of limiting the amount of built-up residue that can later grow mold or cause your grill to smell badly.
If you want to get really thorough, mix up some 1 parts vinegar with 3 parts water and wipe down all surfaces. Rinse it off with clean water afterwards because this mixture is somewhat acidic (vinegar is acetic acid) and its distinctive smell could taint your food. Finally, keep an airtight container filled with activated carbon in your kitchen or pantry where you store any leftovers from meat or fish cooked on your BGE (fish especially stinks if left too long). It’s surprising how much this stuff absorbs odors given enough time.
The best way to avoid a bad smell from your grill or any built-up residue is by using it often, removing any fat deposits left over after cooking, and keeping it clean just before and after every cook.
You should store your grill in an area that’s not too humid – this can cause rusting on metal surfaces
Because humidity can corrode your grill. Corrosion can be described as the electrochemical process in which metal, like the cast iron on your grill, oxidizes (rusts). Rust is unsightly but it can also lead to flaking and cracking of the cast iron parts. This means that rust not only affects the surface texture of your cast iron parts, it can cause permanent damage to the integrity of your grill!
Hanging or storing your grill too close to a direct source of heat will warp gas grills’ exteriors. Uneven heating over time may make doors difficult or impossible to open and close. You may also see discoloration on the exterior that can be difficult to remove.
Uneven heating is not just a problem for gas grills, electric grills are affected too! The same precautions should be applied when storing, hanging or stacking electric grills near dryer vent heat.
Let’s talk about food odors transferring to your grill. I have had several customers come into the store complaining of their new propane tank having an odor they did not approve of. When I asked how they stored their grill, they all say “in my garage”, which makes me think “near dryer vent heat”. Once I ask them where they hang their propane–you guessed it–on the nearby dryer vent hose.
If you have a stand for your grill, it’s best to store the grill in an upright position. With gas grills, never hang or store near a direct source of heat (including dryer vents). Be cognizant that putting a cover on top of a hot surface could cause damage, so be mindful when storing your propane tank next to where you will store your grill cover.
Finally, if you must hang or rest your propane tank inside your storage area with your grill, try not to let them touch each other. It doesn’t take long corrosion to build up from two metal surfaces making contact.
For electric grills it is best to store in an upright position on a flat surface away from direct heat sources. Remember, the exterior of your grill is not only made of steel parts but is plastic too! Be mindful when storing near your dryer vent hose or any source with hot air blowing into where you are hanging or resting your grill.
Remember that good storage practices will help maintain the quality of your appliance investment and give you years of service. Good luck!
Read more: 10 Best Electric Griddle Consumer Reports
Conclusion
Grills are a great way to cook your food outdoors, but they can be tricky to clean. There’s no one answer for how often you should clean it because every grill is different. Some people say that after each use while others wait 3-6 months before doing so again. Your best bet may be asking the manufacturer of your grill or researching online what other sources recommend in order to get advice tailored specifically for you and your type of grill.
Cleaning your grill is important for two reasons. First, it will keep the food you cook from tasting like burnt metal and second, a clean grill means better grilling results every time because there won’t be any residue left on the grate.
It’s great to cook with grill, but you’ve got to keep them clean if you want the meat not to taste like smoke. We recommend cleaning your grill after every use. If that sounds too much for you, then at least try and do it once a month or so. The good news is there are tons of products out there that can help make this task easier! There’s no need to struggle scrubbing off burnt-on food when one of these best grills will do all the work for you in just a few minutes time. Which type of grill would be best suited for your needs?
We hope that by now you have a feel for what type of grill will best suit your needs. If not, we recommend making one of the four grills mentioned in this article your final decision. We’ve taken care to pick out brands and models with excellent reviews from customers who had similar taste preferences as you do so there is no need to worry about being disappointed after purchasing one of them!
Cleaning your grill regularly is key to maintain a healthy and sanitary cooking environment. If you are looking for the best way to clean it. How often should you clean your grill – We hope this article was helpful in making your final decision on which grill will work best for you!
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