Outdoor grilling is always a good idea when the weather is nice, and with BBQ plans on the rise, now’s the time to make sure you know how to clean a grill properly, so you can keep it working well into the next season. A clean grill can help make your food better, and ensure it's clear of all sorts of toxins and build-up that outdoor grills can accumulate.
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How to keep your outdoor grill clean all summer long
Here's how you can keep your outdoor grill clean for anytime you want to use it.
How to clean grill grates
Knowing how to clean grill gates is essential if you want to maintain the integrity of that BBQ flavor. There’s a difference between barbecued and charred, and you don’t want to give your guests the impression that you don’t know what you’re doing.
First, preheat the grill to loosen any food particles. Next, using a clean grill brush with stiff bristles, scrub the grates to remove any food or debris. For more stubborn particles, you can use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda, or a standard grill cleaner designed for your type of grill. For example, you can get a Weber grill cleaner specifically designed for grill gates. After cleaning, rinse with water and pat dry.
Maintain the burners and heat diffusers
To maintain even heat distribution across the grill, you need to clean the heat diffusers and burners. Make sure the grill is off and completely cooled before removing the gas line. Remove the burners and heat diffusers and check for signs of corrosion or any clogs. Using a wire brush or grill cleaner, remove any visible debris and build-up. Once cleared, reattach them securely.
Wipe down the exterior
Considering your grill is an outdoor appliance, it makes sense to maintain the exterior just as much as the interior. Using warm soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge, wipe down the exterior surfaces, handles, lid, and any installed side tables. The more often you do it, the less buildup you have to deal with in the future.
Empty and clean the drip pan
Keeping the drip pan clean is important to avoid flare-ups and potential damage or injury. When the grill is completely cool, remove the drip pan and empty the grease and dispose of it properly—not down a drain! Unless otherwise noted, you should be able to put it in your dishwasher, but you can also just clean it with warm soapy water.
Cover your grill
It’s crucial that you take measures to protect your grill from the elements. You should always cover your grill when it’s not in use, even if you have it placed under some kind of overhang.
Not only does this prevent damage, but it keeps the exterior clean, so you don’t have to clean it again before its next use.
Regular maintenance and inspection
Aside from regular cleaning, it’s important to inspect your grill so you’re always able to have maintenance performed as needed. There’s nothing worse than planning a BBQ during the summer and discovering that your grill has a faulty gas line.
Of course, it never hurts to call a grill cleaning service once in a while to have a professional look over your appliance and make sure everything is working as it should.
Conclusion
If you follow the guidelines detailed above, you’ll be on the fast track to upgrading your grilling experience and impressing your guests one plate at a time.
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