BBQ Cleaning:
I don’t think about you, however, I for one detest cleaning the grill in the wake of a monotonous day of barbecuing meat and vegetables on it. This is the reason I regularly leave it, which is an exceptionally impractical notion since along these lines the food particles and the oil stall out to the outside of the grill for good.
In this way, it’s unquestionable that the least demanding approach to keep up your BBQ in an incredible condition is to clean it consistently after every use.
What Health Risks Are Associated with Not Cleaning Your Grill?
Presently, you might be wondering if there’s truly any harm in letting those charred bits and old grease linger on your grill grates. Unfortunately, it turns out that skipping the cleaning can be more than just an eyesore—it can also pose some risks to your health.
When leftover residue from previous barbecues is allowed to build up, it doesn’t “season” your grill like it does a cast iron pan. Instead, these stubborn deposits can harbor bacteria and make for an ideal hideaway for potential germs. On top of that, grilling over last week’s burnt scraps can cause the release of unpleasant substances, including certain carcinogens, which are best left off your menu entirely.
So, by giving your BBQ a quick clean after each use, you’re not only keeping things tidy but also helping make every meal just a little bit safer for you and your guests.
Be that as it may, when you’re having a great time at your own BBQ gathering and you converse with numerous pleasant individuals, cleaning the barbecue turns into a low need task, which for the most part sits tight for the following day.
What’s more, on the following day the food particles are normally very much adhered to the outside of the flame broil grates. Luckily, you can without much of a stretch and rapidly tidy it up utilizing just aluminium foil. Here are the means by which you can do it:
Does Leaving Charred Bits and Oil Season the Grill?
A common misconception is that neglecting to clean your grill grates is somehow similar to seasoning a beloved cast iron skillet. Let me put that notion to rest, right here and now. While it’s true that a bit of residual oil is the friend of any cook, caked-on charred meat remnants and burnt fat aren’t enhancing the flavor of your next meal. In fact, the opposite is true—these lingering bits can harbor unpleasant flavors, promote rust, and even become a fire hazard during your next grilling adventure.
On top of that, a neglected grill grate can create an environment where nasty substances (like carcinogens formed from high-heat cooking) get cozy and stubbornly stick around. This neither helps the grill last longer nor makes your kebabs taste their best. If you want that seasoned, non-stick surface akin to a well-loved cast iron pan, your best bet is to clean the grates and then lightly oil them before each use. That way, you get the perfect sear—minus the health risks and unwanted flavors.
Set up the grill. Before you begin busy, you should ensure your BBQ is prepared for the cleaning meeting. So as to do that, you should check if the grill is killed and cold. What’s more, be particularly cautious in case you’re managing a gas grill, since they are very delicate.
A few people even attempt to expel a portion of the oil before they apply the aluminium foil, however, this is silly, since this entire procedure will be much simpler on the off chance that you simply adhere to the directions. When you’ve ensured that the grill flame broil is totally cold and safe, you ought to plan two stripes of aluminium foil, with the inexact size of the grill barbecue grind.
Cleaning the Fire Box
Now, when it comes to the fire box, things can get a little messier. Once you’ve dealt with the grates, have a quick peek inside the actual fire box (the area underneath where all the drippings and burnt bits collect). You’ll want to grab a flat-edged tool, like a putty knife or even an old spatula—whatever you have on hand that can scrape.
Gently scrape away all those stubborn burnt bits, ash, and grease that tend to cling stubbornly to the sides and bottom. Don’t be shy about getting in there; the more you remove, the happier your grill (and future meals) will be. Make sure to collect all the debris with a dustpan or simply wipe it out with a damp cloth when you’re finished.
This simple extra step keeps your BBQ running efficiently—and saves you from any surprising flare-ups when you next fire it up.
Cleaning the Exterior of Your Grill
Now, let’s not neglect the outside of your BBQ, which—much like ourselves after a day outside—can get a bit grubby. For a sparkling finish, simply grab a soft cloth and a splash of white vinegar. If your grill happens to be made of stainless steel, a product like Bar Keepers Friend or any dedicated stainless steel cleaner will do the trick nicely.
Give the exterior a gentle scrub, making sure to catch all those sticky fingerprints and spots. Wipe everything down thoroughly, and you’ll have your trusty BBQ looking as sharp as it did the day you brought it home.
Apply the aluminium foil. A few people feel that when they clean their BBQ barbecue grates with aluminium foil, they should simply wipe the surface with the foil. In any case, on the off chance that you need quality outcomes, the procedure is somewhat more confused than that. First, you’ll need to cover the whole grill racks with the foil and take care of the edges, so completely everything can be secured.
Likewise, the gleaming side of the aluminium foil should confront the racks for better outcomes. At that point, you ought to set up the flame broil and fire it up. When the fire is consuming, you should close the lit and let the fire wrap up of the overwhelming work. In the event that you notice heaps of white smoke coming out from underneath the cover of the grill, don’t stress! This solitary implies that the cleaning procedure is passing by the arrangement.
You should leave the fire for around 15 or 20 minutes, and afterwards, you should turn it off and let it cool for some time.
Evacuate the buildup. When the grill barbecue grates have had some an ideal opportunity to chill off, yet are still somewhat warm, you should get the aluminium foil and make a ball out of it with your hands. Try not to stress, it won’t be hot. Aluminium foil never gets hot.
At that point utilize the ball to rub the foil the whole way across the racks to evacuate all the stuck extra food. This technique will likewise assist you with evacuating all the extra buildup, which will leave the grill cleaner than it at any point was.
Choose the Right Cleaning Tools and Solutions
When your BBQ needs a bit more TLC, it’s all about using the right arsenal:
- Brush or Sponge: Once everything has cooled down, grab a sturdy brush (avoid those pesky metal bristles—they tend to go rogue and can end up in your food, which is as appetizing as burnt hair). A regular kitchen sponge works too, teamed with some dish soap and hot water.
- Soak for Stubborn Grime: If you’ve got space (and patience), soak the grates in a bath of hot, soapy water for about half an hour. After their relaxing spa treatment, tough bits will wipe off with much less fuss.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar: For the especially stubborn spots that refuse to budge, whip up a paste using baking soda and vinegar. Apply it to the trouble spots and give it a little elbow grease with your sponge.
- Flat Scraper: To tackle stubborn remnants inside the fire box, use a putty knife or any flat scraper—think pancake-flipping, but less graceful.
- Exterior Care: Finally, show the outside some love, too. Wipe it down with white vinegar and a soft cloth. If your barbecue is feeling fancy and made of stainless steel, a specialized stainless steel cleaner works magic.
Now you’re all set to wash, rinse, and bid that grime goodbye.
Flush everything. When all the buildup and extra food have been relaxed and expelled from the grill surface, you should get a wipe and wash everything with water, so all the soil can head off to someplace else. In the event that you don’t have a wipe, you can simply wash everything under running water. When you’re prepared, simply live it outside to dry. What’s more, you’re finished!
Don’t you want to clean the BBQ by yourself? Book today with us our professional BBQ Cleaners will take care of your BBQ. Visit us at @dirt2tidy.com.au
