How to clean a gas grill with oven cleaner?
Cleaning your gas grill is one of the most important parts to maintain in order to keep it working properly. It can be a huge pain, but there are also some great benefits. Cleaning your gas grill with oven cleaner is an easy way to clean and sanitize all at once! With this blog post we will show you how to clean a gas grill with oven cleaner and why it’s important that you do so on a regular basis. Ovens use harsh chemicals like lye, ammonia, and hydrochloric acid which can’t be used on grills because they would damage them beyond repair! That’s where oven cleaners come into play-they’re safe for any type of surface or material.
Table of Contents
Cleaning the grill
After a long and fun day in the sun at the beach, what could be better than eating dinner outside? Yet when it’s time to break out the grill–with all that smoky, charred residue from summertime cookouts–you may find yourself wondering how you’re going to get it sparkling clean again.
Not to worry: With just a few simple supplies and tools, you’ll have your charcoal or gas grill ready for its next round of barbecuing in no time.
1.1 The most important thing is to clean it right after using it – while it’s still warm. If you let food sit on the grill, it could cause corrosion to the metal which can make it harder to remove when its time for cleaning. Don’t use any kind of abrasive pad or item like a Brillo pad. It will scrape off any of the good seasoning and make it hard to restore the grill’s finish.
1.2 Clean it with a stiff nylon brush, hot water and a little bit of dish soap or cooking oil. After you use the brush – throw it away because, if you reuse it, there could be grime from last year’s barbecue that will leave debris in your food this year.
1.3 Use two wire brushes – one for both sides of the grate. Don’t try to clean just one side at a time or you’ll be spending too much time on just one side. Instead, go quickly over both sides and move onto the next part of your grill which should also be still warm and ready for cleaning after you’re done with the grilling area.
1.4 After you get all of the big stuff off, then use some kind of grill cleaner to get rid of any grease or debris that’s left over – like WD40 (although it sounds odd), a non-abrasive stainless steel product, Simple Green or even cheap Dawn dish soap. Just spray it on and let it sit for about 15 minutes before brushing again. You may need to do this step twice – especially if your grill was really dirty from last year. Try not to apply too much pressure because you want to avoid scraping off the seasoning process which gives your barbecuing food its good taste and prevents rusting in the future.
How to clean a gas grill with oven cleaner? You may have noticed that many cleaning products say ‘do not use on hot surfaces’ – which is what you’ve got after using the grill. However, if you do this cleaning immediately after grilling, it doesn’t have time to cool down so much that the product can’t be used. But remember…it should still be warm or your hard work will pay off with nothing but frustration.
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Can you use oven cleaner on a grill?
Whether you’re looking to clean off old, baked-on grease or give an old set of grills a quick refresher, oven cleaner is often the chemical of choice. But can oven cleaner be used on outdoor grills?
Oven cleaners are harsh chemicals designed to cut through thick layers of grease and food debris. They also tend to emit strong fumes and need to be left on the surface you want to clean for a period of time. Because oven cleaner isn’t designed for outside use, it’s possible that oven cleaner could damage or discolor your grill or cause rust.
Before attempting to use an oven cleaner on your grill, read the label carefully and make sure that it is safe for outdoor use. If the manufacturer doesn’t explicitly say that it’s safe for outdoor use, then it probably isn’t. After reading the label, check with your grill manufacturer to see if they recommend using oven cleaner on grills at all.
Even if you’ve confirmed that oven cleaner is compatible with your grill’s surface and materials, be aware that the fumes could be harmful to you and your family if inhaled. Make sure that you’re upwind from the area, and open any windows in the house before applying oven cleaner.
Using an oven cleaner on a grill is never recommended because it can cause damage to both the grates and surrounding areas. If sticking food on a dirty grill isn’t enough motivation to clean your grill regularly, the potential damage oven cleaner can do should be.
How to clean a gas grill with oven cleaner? Instead of using oven cleaner on an outdoor grill, simply use steel wool or a metal grill brush. Make sure to rinse any excess debris or grease off your grates and preheat the grill for at least 10 minutes before grilling.
How to clean a gas grill with oven cleaner
The best method for cleaning a grill, of course, is to clean it right after cooking. However, the grease and food residue get baked on over time by the hot coals or gas flames. You can get behind these grease deposits with a wire brush while cooking but it’s not always effective. Cleaning your grill with oven cleaner will soften up even the most stubborn grease stains for easy removal.
Once you have finished cooking for the day , soak your grates in water then cover them in some aluminum foil so they don’t dry out. Wait until the next morning before trying to remove any caked on grease deposits .
Oven cleaner can be purchased at most grocery stores and discount retailers but if you are unable to find it where you normally shop, you can substitute it with dish soap and water or ammonia and water.
If your grill grate is made from cast iron, do not submerge it in water! Remove all grease and food residue with regular dish soap but do not use oven cleaner on the grates because the harsh chemicals will damage them.
How to Clean a Gas Grill With Oven Cleaner:
Instructions:
3.1 Prepare a bucket of solution by adding 1 part ammonia and 2 parts water (or alternatively mix ½ cup white vinegar and ½ cup baking soda together in a large bowl). Place your grates in this bucket for at least one hour. If using oven cleaner instead of the above mentioned ingredients, place your grates in this bucket for at least two hours.
3.2 Scrub the cake on grease deposits with a non-abrasive scrubber or grill brush. Make sure to wear rubber gloves so your skin doesn’t get irritated by the cleaning solution. Pour out the bucket of solution after you have finished scrubbing, rinse off any remaining chemicals and dispose of them properly.
3.3 Rinse your grates under warm running water then dry them thoroughly with a towel before placing them back on your grill.
Steps for cleaning a gas grill with oven cleaner
Gas grill oven cleaner is a great alternative to purchasing expensive replacement parts. It can also be used to remove rust from the body of your grill.
How to clean a gas grill with oven cleaner – Steps for cleaning a gas grill with oven cleaner
Time Required: 30 minutes or more depending on how dirty your grill is
Tools Needed: None – but gloves are highly recommended (there are some additional tools you might want below)
4.1 Open the lid to your gas grill and raise up one end/side of it high enough that there’s room underneath.
4.2 Use a mixing bowl and place around 3 cups of water inside it along with 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 tablespoon of dish soap/detergent. Once mixed, pour the solution down between the lid and main body of your gas grill.
4.3 Let it sit for about an hour or so, then open the lid again to let the water mixture drain out through any openings in your gas grill where flames would normally emit.
4.4 Use a scrub brush and some baking soda to scrub down all surfaces of your gas grill that have been affected by dirt and grime buildup – there’s no need to apply pressure as you simply want to loosen anything stuck.
4.5 You should notice that all dirt/grime is now lifted off within minutes rather than hours like normal soap and water would expect you to stay on it for (via elbow grease).. Drain any remaining liquid from the top of your gas grill and proceed to brush down with cold water.
4.6 Once you’ve cleaned all surfaces and left nothing behind, open up your lid and use the wire mesh to scrub down each individual burner on your gas grill as well as underneath it so that no soot or residue is present anywhere within these areas.
4.7 Bring back the side/end of your gas grill you raised earlier and let dry for about an hour before using.
4.8 If there’s any parts still needing some work done after doing the above steps, such as removing rust from a particularly rusty part – then now would be a good time to take care of those particular issues.
See more: 7 Best Grill For Beginners
Why you should use oven cleaner on your grills
This is my first Instructable, so please be gentle – How to clean a gas grill with oven cleaner?
I was always under the assumption that you couldn’t use oven cleaner on aluminum because it would dissolve your grill. This isn’t true though. The reason why oven cleaner (or any other chemical like this) dissolves grills is because of the porosity of aluminum itself. Aluminum has pores in it to help increase its heat transfer rates through convection; which makes it a very efficient metal for grills and heatsinks or things that get hot and need to dissipate that heat quickly. Unfortunately this means that these chemicals can get into the pores of the grill easily enough to start breaking down the protective oxide layer on top of aluminum known as alum (the main ingredient in anodizing).
A common cause of pitting and discoloration on aluminum is actually from not rinsing the oven cleaner off well enough. It will slowly dissolve parts of your grill and leave little pits and bits of aluminum under it (ever notice those orange marks after you clean a cookie sheet?). If this happens, there really isn’t much you can do besides getting a new grill or trying to strip it with something like Naval Jelly . I’ve done it before; it works OK but isn’t perfect. The other problem with using chemical cleaners like that is that they can also corrode your porcelain-coated grates by taking the coating off.
I started out by cleaning my first set of Weber Summit Platinum grills since they’ve been soaked in smoke and grease from years of use. I had been soaking them in oven cleaner overnight then scrubbing with a grill brush for about 8 hours when they looked clean enough to me, but they were still stained in a few spots so I decided to give the method a try again on my new Summit grills which haven’t seen much action yet.
After washing my grates in soapy water I sprayed them down with some CLR and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off. This is also supposed to help aid cleaning by making the metal slightly less passive (or more alkaline) than regular tap water would do alone; apparently there are other chemicals that help do this as well like Calcium Hypochlorite or something.
Wipe down all of your grates with a towel to get them as dry as possible then lay them out on some cardboard in an area where they won’t be disturbed for at least 12 hours. Unless you have the largest hood known to man, chances are good that you’ll need more than 1 can of oven cleaner per grill so just keep that in mind when buying it. It’s only about $5 for a ‘4 pack’ at my local grocery store, but if I had to do this again I’d probably go with the cheapest stuff because it works fine; plus they all say pretty much the same thing (it’s not like there’s any brands that work better than others).
Stick your grates in the oven and let the oven cleaner do its thing for 4-6 hours. Turn your oven on to about 200 degrees (the lowest setting) then turn it off again, open the door and let them sit for another 4-5 hours or so. You can also use a heat gun to speed up the process if you want, but be sure that you’re not overheating them. If they get too hot too quick they’ll start to burn/discolor before all of the crud is gone; plus once they get hot enough that some of it starts bubbling up on them they should be ready unless you have some serious baked on grease stains.
After letting them cool down outside I scrubbed any excess crud off with a damp sponge and used a grill brush to clean up any areas that the oven cleaner hadn’t completely removed. If your grates are really dirty you can also re-spray them with some more oven cleaner and scrub them with something like an old toothbrush before they dry out if you want, but I didn’t need to do that.
At this point there shouldn’t be anything left on your grates except for gray or black spots in some areas (even after using oven cleaner) where the aluminum oxide layer is gone; just scrub those off with a wire brush and you’re done!
Read more: 10 Best Portable Gas Grill Consumer Reports
Benefits of using oven cleaner on your grills
How to clean a gas grill with oven cleaner? If you have ever struggled to remove burnt on food deposits from your grills, oven cleaner is the answer.
Oven cleaners are strong enough to dissolve grease, soot and even burnt oils. Today’s cleaners are safe for use in the home when used correctly. It’s always best to use them outside as the film that they create is not good for your lungs or those of your family members or pets. However, there is no reason why you can’t do some follow up scrubbing with a stiff brush as long as it has been thoroughly rinsed off first. No need for elbow-grease; all you need is a spray bottle and 5 minutes of time. You will be astonished how quickly and easily soap scum and burnt on food deposits disappear.
Oven cleaners will not damage the porcelain coating of enameled grills but you always need to make sure you first test a small, hidden section before applying them to a large area. If it doesn’t discolor or corrode the metal your grill is made from then it’s safe for this purpose.
In case you are wondering if oven cleaner would be equally as effective on regular barbecues, the answer is yes! There is no reason why oven cleaner won’t dissolve burnt on food deposits from regular barbecues as well as those with porcelain coated grates. It must only be used carefully and sparingly because some ‘blackened’ areas can become compromised if a lot of cleaner is used.
I have a question, what ingredients do I need to make my own oven cleaner from home?
Many people wonder how they can make their own homemade oven cleaners which will save them money and frustrate the heck out of them because they won’t get done quickly or easily. One trick you can use if you aren’t happy with your results while using store-bought products is to use a paste made from baking soda and vinegar. This also works just as well as other chemical based cleansers so it’s worth trying 1st before resorting to buying a commercial spray that rates about a ‘9’ on the caustic scale.
Another method is soaking aluminum foil in ammonia overnight before placing it inside the oven. The next day, after removing it carefully without touching it with your hands (use tongs) scrub the deposits away to reveal an almost like new surface.
How do I clean my ceramic grills?
Cleaning porcelain enameled grills is easy if you use some high temperature resistant paint and spray on a coating after you have washed them in warm soapy water and rinsed thoroughly. High temperature resistant paint will protect your grills from rust, corrosion and discoloration caused by the high heat on new grills.
You can buy spray paint formulated for barbecues and grills at most hardware stores and even some supermarkets will carry them. Note that this type of paint does not adhere to porcelain enameled or stainless steel surfaces so if you have one of those types of grill then you will need to use a different method to clean it. A good alternative is using an oven cleaner as described in this article.
How do I clean my stainless steel barbeques?
Stainless steel barbecue grates are easier to clean than porcelain enameled ones because they don’t develop white ‘burned’ areas when they are exposed to high temperatures. However, they do rust more easily than porcelain enameled grills so it’s best not to leave them standing in water for too long after you have finished using them.
Oven cleaner works well on stainless steel grill racks but it can be expensive to buy so another method which is just as effective is using a paste made from baking soda and vinegar. It just takes longer to work because of the lower caustic level than oven cleaners contain. You will find that repeated applications over an extended period of time works just as effectively as commercial cleaning products at removing burned on food deposits on your stainless steel barbecue grate.
How do I clean my gas grills?
One of the most popular problems with gas grills is the door seals on most models of grill wear down after a few years and need to be replaced. This makes it difficult if not impossible for you to control the amount of propane being fed into your grill so you have to use an external tank which can be inconvenient if you are hosting a large party outside.
The first thing you should do before attempting to clean your grill’s burner orifice is check that there isn’t debris blocking the air holes which feed the flame. If this is blocked then any attempt at cleaning will be useless because you won’t be able to get access under the burners where food deposits have gathered over time.
How to clean a gas grill with oven cleaner? The next step is spraying oven cleaner liberally over your gas barbecue’s burner assembly and letting it work its magic. After 10-15 minutes, you can use a brush to scrub the grime away and finish up by wiping over with a dry cloth or paper towel.
How do I clean my charcoal grills?
One of the things that makes cleaning charcoal grills difficult is creosote which is the black sticky residue from smoke that coats your grill after time. Creosote is highly flammable and if it isn’t removed completely from the inside of your grill then it may be ignited when you are cooking causing a dangerous flare up which could result in severe burns or setting fire to your clothes or belongings nearby. When cleaning a barbecue grate, always make sure it has cooled down before attempting to scrape off any stubborn bits of meat or vegetables with a wire brush.
How do I clean my electric grills?
Most modern electric grill models have a drip tray which is easy to remove and clean by hand after each use. Some older style models may need the heating elements cleaned with oven cleaner but make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before attempting this. You should also give your grill pan a quick wipe over with a paper towel dipped in some vegetable oil after use as this will prevent it from rusting.
>> How to clean a gas grill with oven cleaner? How to Clean a Gas Grill – Deep Cleaning the Weber
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Drawbacks of using oven cleaners on your grills
Whenever spring rolls around, or even during the summer months, many people will take advantage of the nice weather to clean their grills. Now, when you clean your grill with oven cleaner, not only do you make it look all shiny and pretty again but this homemade cleaner is supposed to also help your food stay healthy by keeping bacteria at bay. Sure enough, the way commercial cleaners are marketed makes them sound like they are a miracle in a can that will allow you to rest easy knowing that your food is free from pesky germs. However, before using anything containing chemicals on your prized possessions (I mean grills), here are two drawbacks about oven or grill cleaners that you should consider:
Lemon juice may be used instead without any concerns about toxicity.
They are dangerous for you and your family
Oven cleaners contain chemicals that are not meant to be inhaled, put on unbroken skin, or ingested. Some of the more hazardous ingredients found in oven cleaners include lye (sodium hydroxide), chlorine bleach, and ammonia meaning that even if you were thinking about using them outside to keep the mess down by hosing everything off afterwards, they are actually more toxic than most other household cleaning products! When using these cleaners it is important to wear gloves as well as safety goggles to protect yourself from chemical burns.
What’s worse is that the fumes produced when applying some types of oven cleaner can also cause some people to feel dizzy or light-headed which may lead to even more dire consequences such as suffocation. One of the most dangerous ingredients in oven cleaners is lye (sodium hydroxide) which can cause severe burns if it comes into contact with your skin or eyes and when mixed with water, it produces a deadly gas which you should avoid inhaling at all costs.
They actually don’t clean that well
One major drawback about using this type of cleaner is that they are not strong enough to kill off bacteria, especially grime and grease built up on BBQ grills over time due to smoking meats and fish . According to the USDA , there are certain types of grill cleaners that can corrode stainless steel making them unsuitable for outdoor use. In addition, oven cleaners may also discolor porcelain-coated enamel grills and may actually cause the painted surface to peel.
You can make your own grill cleaners instead
When it comes down to making your own cleaner, you get to decide exactly what ingredients go into it which means you can avoid all of the risks listed above by choosing a product that is either safe enough to use without gloves or goggles, does not contain any harsh chemicals, and that will effectively clean/degrease your grill. If you are interested in learning how to make your own homemade grill cleaners using white vinegar and lemon juice , check out this article from Food Network . As long as you do not mind getting a few stains on your clothes or spending some time scrubbing away at your grill afterwards, these solutions are safer than oven or grill cleaners.
Who knew that the simple ingredients lemon juice and vinegar could do just as good of a job at degreasing your grill without all of the negative health risks? All you need to do is mix half water, half lemon juice in a spray bottle and voila! You now have an effective cleaner that can be used on porcelain-coated enamel grills only (not stainless steel) which will not damage its surface. Just make sure to wipe it dry with a clean cloth afterwards for best results.
For those who would rather use vinegar instead, this product may also be mixed with equal parts salt and some olive oil to form a paste which can then be applied to your grill before rinsing with warm water. The salt acts as an abrasive to help rub away any stubborn stains while the oil helps loosen up sticky build ups so it will be easier for you to wash them away. This mixture should not be used on porcelain-coated enamel grills, though, so use it sparingly or at your own risk. You may also want to consider cooking your meats and fish on low heat to avoid building up too much grease which can make cleaning tougher in the long run…
Overall , oven cleaners are not all that healthy or effective when compared to other household products (most of which contain far less harsh chemicals). If you were thinking about using these types of cleaners, please keep the dangers of using oven cleaners on your grills in mind as well as the benefits of making your own homemade grill cleaners. Although some people claim to have had success with certain types of oven cleaner, it may be best for you to avoid them all together and spend more time scrubbing away at your grill or make your own cleaner instead instead. You don’t want to take any unnecessary health risks if there are other (safer) options out there!
Conclusion
In the end, it is not a mystery how to clean a gas grill with oven cleaner. If you have a gas grill that is covered in grease and grime, it might be time to take some action. But before you head out to buy expensive cleaners or harsh chemicals, consider using oven cleaner instead. This type of product works well for cleaning up heavy duty messes without the harmful side-effects of other products. It’s important to follow all safety precautions when working with this chemical though because if not used properly it can cause burns on skin or damage your eyesight. Make sure you cover any exposed skin areas while working with this material just in case! You may also want to wear gloves, long sleeves and glasses when handling these types of substances as an extra precautionary measure against accidental contact with the icky.
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