Essential Grill Cleaning Tips That Will Help Extend The Lifespan Of Your Grill

Grilling can be a tasty and fun part of your year-round meal preparation. Depending on how much you use your grill, you should probably complete a maintenance clean of your grill after each use and a deep clean, that includes cleaning grill grates, each season. Here are some easy grill cleaning and grill maintenance tips for gas, charcoal, and stainless steel grills.

Gas Grills

1. Spot Clean: After each use.
   • Crank your grill up to high. Leave on for 15 minutes to burn excess food off the grates.
   • Let the grill cool before cleaning grill grates. Then use a long-handled grill brush and other grill cleaning tools to clean off the grates and wipe down the exterior with a wet soapy rag.
2. Deep Clean: Once per season.
   • Remove the metal sheet burner protectors under the grates and soak them in a bucket soapy water. Dish soap is fine. If you don’t have a bucket, then a good garden hose cleaning will do.
   • Wipe grime and gunk from the burners with an ex-partner’s t-shirt, or an old sponge.
   • Scrub the inside walls of your grill with steel wool and soapy water.

Charcoal Grills

1. Clean Grill Grates: After Each Use
   • Remove your food, eat, but leave the grill active so it can cook off grease and debris from the grill grates.
   • 15 minutes later or after you’re done eating, scrape off the hot grates with a grill brush.
2. Grease The Grates: After Each Use
   • Grease the grates after cooking to help prevent rusting, sticking and make future cleaning easier.
   • Sprinkle a paper towel with vegetable or olive oil.
   • If the grill is still hot, then use BBQ tongs to hold the paper towel.
3. Dispose Of Ashes: After Each Use
   • Allow the grill and ashes to cool completely.
   • Dispose of them properly. Improperly disposed of ashes can start a fire or attract wild animals.

NERD NOTE: The 36th president of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson, was the first US President to host a barbecue at the White House that included Texas-style barbecued ribs on the menu.

Stainless Steel Grills

1. Clean Stains:
   • Using a stainless steel cleaning spray with stainless steel wipes is effective against light stains.
   • Remember to clean with the grain for the best results.
2. Remove Smoke Stains:
   • Soak a paper towel with Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover, and let it sit on the stained area for at least 5 minutes.
   • Wipe the smoke stain with a fresh paper towel and rinse with water.
   • Repeat as needed to remove the stain completely.
3. Buff Out Scratches:
   • Apply stainless steel polish with the grain to remove scratches and discoloration.

Grill Cleaning Tools

Depending on your grill, there are a variety of cleaners and tools that you can use to clean your grill. Here are a few suggestions:

• grill cleaning brush
• grill cleaning stone
• grill cleaning tool
• grill cleaning spray

Cleaning A Grill Is Protecting Your Investment

Cleaning a grill takes a little time but it’s worth it. Grills aren’t cheap. The average grill cost between $300-800. But some can even cost several thousand dollars. Regular grill cleaning and maintenance will help extend your grill’s lifespan and protect your investment. Happy BBQing!

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