Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Easy cleaning after each use
• Method 2 of 2: At the beginning and end of the barbecue season
• Tips
• Warnings

Outdoor grills should be cleaned at the beginning and end of the barbecue season, and after each use. A permanently cleaned outdoor grill will stay in good condition for a long period of time and the food cooked on it will always be delicious.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Easy cleaning after each use

Rather than view cleaning your grill as an overwhelming chore, try to equate it in complexity with washing the dishes after a meal. Regular cleaning of your grill after use should be light to remove any buildup and keep everything clean.

1. 1 Start simple. Sometimes it is enough to use the remaining heat after cooking to clean up your barbecue. Spray vegetable oil onto your grill and scrub with a barbecue spatula or wire brush. Wipe everything off with paper towels. If that was enough to clear the grate, then you've done the job. If not, go to the next step.
2. 2 Use the scrubbing function to preheat the grill. However, don't be fooled - this function will simply burn food leftovers on the grill, but it doesn't actually clean it. It does help loosen food stuck and make cleaning easier, but you should start cleaning while the grill is still warm (but obviously not too hot). This cleaning function can work from half an hour to several hours, so try to start cleaning as soon as possible while the grill is still warm enough.
   • You can also use the leftover heat from cooking as a "cleaning" effect, provided that you start to clean the grill well right now, while it is still hot.
3. 3 Turn off the gas. This is a precaution, just in case.Put on some disposable gloves to protect your hands.
4. 4 Raise the grates when they are cool enough. Use a sturdy wire brush to remove grease and food debris. (For a good cleaning of the grates, see the more advanced cleaning section below.)
5. 5 Clean the guards above the burners. This applies to an area where the barbecue contains lava stones for grilling, briquettes, or some sort of metal plate. Wear disposable gloves and remove any visible food debris, or use a wire brush to scrape off burnt food first.
6. 6 Wipe everything with a cleaning cloth. Have a rag specifically for grilling (throw it in the washing machine to wash with other very dirty fabrics). Use a rag to clean the grate fence and any stuck food that the brush could not clean. Let everything dry and then check if the grill is ready to be reused.
   • Some people prefer to use paper towels as they can simply be thrown away.

Method 2 of 2: At the beginning and end of the barbecue season

1. 1 Turn off the gas. Again, safety comes first.
2. 2 Pick up the pieces of the grill layer by layer. Inspect burners carefully. Remove any debris to ensure an even cooking. If you cannot do this effectively, then replace the burners.
   • If you are not sure if there are any problems with the burners, then the safest option is to take the barbecue to the seller asking for help.
3. 3 Remove lava stones / briquettes or metal plates from the grill. Use a wire brush to clean any food particles and burnt parts. Use this opportunity to clean hard-to-reach areas that you may have missed during a simple cleaning.
   • If food stuck to solid fuel, replace lava stones / briquettes or metal plates. If you do not do this, there is a risk of foul-smelling smoke in subsequent cooking, which will spoil the taste of the grilled food.
4. 4 Clean the grate with soapy water. For very good cleaning (when there is solid build-up):
   • Use a wire brush to remove any loose and charred food pieces. Scrub the surface with a wire brush and evaluate the results. It is not necessary to strive for perfect cleanliness.
   • Place the wire rack in a trash bag or large sealed plastic container.
   • Add 170-225 g of ammonia.
   • Tie the trash bag tightly or close the container tightly. Leave it on overnight (about 12 hours). Keep it out of the reach of children and pets - a good option would be to place it in a high place in the yard, for example, in a garden shed.
   • Remove the wire rack from the container or bag the next day. Do this in a well-ventilated area as ammonia vapors will be emitted as soon as you untie the bag or open the container.
   • Use the wire brush again. This time, any leftover food pieces should be removed with perfect ease.
   • Rinse with water before use.
   • Lubricate the wire rack with oil. If the grate is made of cast iron, it will benefit from being lubricated with a suitable vegetable oil. This will prevent rusting and keep the grill in good condition. Otherwise, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
5. 5 Paint your grill if the paint starts to peel or shows signs of rust - ask your hardware store for an appropriate food-safe paint. If the grill is already in good condition, simply wash it thoroughly with soapy water and then polish it to remove all dirt, grime and grease and make the grill look great.
6. 6 Place all parts of the grill in place. Check all connections are correct and turn on the grill.Before using your grill again, be sure to warm it up completely to burn off any soap residues.

Tips

• Using oil when cooking meat and other foods will make it much easier to keep your grill clean.
• There are some household products that are specially designed to remove soot from barbecue grates and barbecue fences. Check with your local hardware store or grill dealer and always read instructions before use.
• Read the manufacturer's instructions before cleaning. While the instructions given here are general, your grill may have specific requirements that you need to pay attention to to avoid damaging it.

Warnings

• Always make sure the barbecue is not too hot to touch before touching the grates or other parts of the barbecue during cleaning.
• If you are using the ammonia method of cleaning grates, try not to inhale the vapors. Always do this in a well-ventilated area, and if you are sensitive to chemicals, consider using a vapor filtering mask. And never mix ammonia with anything else to avoid creating toxic fumes; use only in pure form.