If your grill isn't clean, your food is not going to taste good. So, make sure it is by following these simple steps. You should give your grill a basic cleaning before every use, and depending on how much use it gets, you should also give it a good thorough cleaning once or twice a year.
Cleaning it will help your grill function safely and effectively and of course keep your grilled foods tasting great. It's also a good idea to keep your grill owner's manual nearby for any specific cleaning instructions. Every grilling session should include a simple scraping of your grill grates to remove any food residue. But let the heat of your grill do the work for you.
After lighting your grill or after spreading your coals, just close the hood, and wait a few minutes. Then open and scrap away any built up on the grates with a wire brush. Now because there are different types of grill grates; cast iron, porcelain, and stainless steel, make sure you double check your manufacturer's specific instructions to see if there are other things you can do to season or maintain your grates.
If you're grilling with charcoal, you might want to align your grill with aluminum foil. This lets you just throw away the foil complete with coals and ashes after your grilling session. Just be sure the coals are cool. Also, if you are stainless steel grill, make sure you clean food particles off the hood and exterior on a weekly basis. Use a stainless steel grill cleaner and make sure your grill is cool.
Also, be sure to follow the grain of your stainless steel, and never use steel or wire wool, it'll permanently scratch the surface. Now, here's another tip. A grill pad or a splatter mat under your grill is a good investment. It will protect your deck patio or other surface from the grease and grunt that tends to go along with outdoor cooking.
Now let's talk about your annual or semi-annual cleaning. Although we'll be cleaning a gas grill, many of these same basic steps apply to cleaning the surfaces of a charcoal grill. Now for this, you'll need a few simple tools. A drop cloth to put underneath your grill, aluminum foil, a scrub brush, and a wire brush, a garden hose, dish detergent, a sponge, bucket and rubber gloves. You'll also want your grills instruction manual.
If you're cooking with a gas grill, turn-off the gas supply at the source, and with propane, disconnect the tank. Spread your drop cloth on to your workspace. Remove the flame guards, then disconnect the igniter wires. Take out the burners and set them aside. Also remove the igniters. Clean out any loose debris from the grill interior.
With detergent and warm water, use a sponge and scrub brush top remove all the soap and grease. Remember to clean the grease tray, and check with your local recycling center about proper disposal of old grease. Your cooking grease can be cleaned with hot soapy water too. It might be helpful to let them soak a bit. Now, if your grates are excessively rusted or chipped, you should replace them.
Now, if it's been a long time since you've used the grill, insects or pests might have nested in the gas tubes preventing improper gas flow. That's why it's always a good idea to inspect your burner during cleaning. Now, if you see cracks or holes other than the port holes in a burner tube, don't clean it, replace it following the manufacturer's instructions.
If the burner looks good, you can knock off loose debris and clean it gently with a wire brush. Then force water through the gas tubes with a garden hose. Let everything air dry and reassembled. Clean the outside of your grill, again using dishwash and detergent, warm water, and a teflon safe scouring pad or sponge.
If you notice white spots or corrosion, you can apply cooking oil to a soft cloth and wipe it on like you are waxing a car. If your grill is stainless and needs a heavy cleaning, use a stainless steel cleaner and polish to restore the finish. Once you clean the exterior, just replace the cover and you are done.
Now if you are looking for more tips on getting your grill ready for the outdoor cooking season, you'll find more videos on grilling at Lowes.com/Videos.
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