We are currently in the middle of the best barbecue season. Whether it’s vegetables, meat or fish – our food often ends up on the hot grill and we enjoy our meals in the garden. But the more often the barbecue is used, the more likely it is to get sticky residue on it. After all, it’s inevitable that fat will splatter around when you’re sizzling. But don’t panic, you can easily clean your barbecue with our tips.
Cleaning the barbecue: Problem area grill grate
In addition to conventional cleaning agents, inexpensive household products can also be used for cleaning. They make it easy to remove even stubborn stains.
Cleaning the grill grate of the gas barbecue
Getting the grill grate of a gas barbecue clean is pretty easy, as it practically cleans itself. Simply close the lid after grilling and set the appliance to the highest level. If the barbecue stops smoking, everything that was previously stuck to the grate is burnt. You can simply brush off the soot with a grill brush and then wipe it away with a damp cloth.
Tip: Most gas barbecues have a drip tray under the burners to collect the fat. This should also be cleaned regularly to prevent a grease fire.
Cleaning the grill grate of the electric barbecue
There are a few things to bear in mind when cleaning an electric barbecue. Always unplug the appliance before cleaning! You should also not clean the grill or the cable under running water, as there is a risk of electric shock. It is best to clean the grill with a grill brush and wipe off any remaining dirt with cleaning agents and a damp cloth. Finally, dry the grill grid well to prevent rust from forming.
Cleaning the charcoal barbecue grill grate
The grate of the charcoal barbecue is often particularly difficult to clean, as grease and meat residues burn in extremely firmly. Use a barbecue brush or spatula to remove the coarsest dirt. Then use washing-up liquid or special cleaning agents to wipe off the remaining dirt. Make sure that the grill has cooled down completely before you start cleaning.
If you don’t feel like cleaning the grill immediately, you can leave it in damp grass overnight to soften the burnt-on food residue. Alternatively, you can wrap the grill in damp newspaper and wash off the dirt with a sponge and detergent after a few hours. Many barbecue fans simply let the barbecue burn out and then remove the soot with a barbecue brush.
Using home remedies for cleaning
Chemical cleaners are not always the best choice – especially for surfaces on which food is prepared. Residues from the cleaner can cause harmful fumes. Protect your health and use home remedies to clean the grill grate:
Cleaning the grill grate with onions
Even if it sounds a little strange, you can use a raw onion to clean your barbecue grill. Cut it in half and rub it over the grill while it is still hot. The onion juice will clean it in no time and disinfect it at the same time. Incidentally, you can also use this principle to prevent your food from sticking to the grill.
Cleaning the grill grate with coffee grounds
Coffee grounds also make the grill grate shine again. Put on gloves, rub the grill grate with the coffee grounds and then rinse it clean with clear water. Burnt-on food residues will come off by themselves and the grill will look like new again.
Cleaning the grill grate with baking soda
Another insider tip is cleaning with baking soda. Mix it with water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray it onto the grate and leave it to work for at least an hour. You can then simply wipe off any dirt with a kitchen towel. For the baking soda solution, you need 60 g baking soda and 1 liter of warm water.
Cleaning the grill grate with ash
If you use a charcoal barbecue, you can simply use the cold ash to clean the grill grate after grilling. To do this, dip a damp cloth in the ash and rub the grill with it. The ash removes dirt and acts like a kind of soap. Then simply rinse the grill with water.
Tip: You can also use the leftover ash as fertilizer in the garden.
Cleaning the inside of the barbecue
Soot and splashes of fat do not only build up on the grill grate, but also on the inside of the grill. Therefore, soiling should also be removed there regularly with a spatula or barbecue brush and wiped off with a cloth.
The burners of a gas barbecue can usually be easily removed for cleaning. Care should be taken with the heating coils of an electric barbecue, as they should never be immersed in water. Wipe them with a damp cloth and then burn off any dirt and food residue.
Cleaning the outside of the barbecue
To ensure that the barbecue lasts a long time and looks good, the outside should also be cleaned regularly. Make sure you use the right cleaning utensils. Stainless steel barbecue surfaces, for example, should not be cleaned with metal sponges. Enameled surfaces, on the other hand, are less sensitive. Clean covers and frames with soap and water or glass cleaner and then wipe all parts dry thoroughly. As a rule, it is sufficient to clean your barbecue properly once before the start of the barbecue season. However, if you barbecue more frequently, you should also clean the outside of the barbecue more often.
Store your barbecue properly
Rubbing the grill grate with oil or grease before grilling saves a lot of work when cleaning it, as less residue builds up on it. A barbecue mat also helps to protect the barbecue and grill from heavy soiling.
To get the charcoal container of charcoal barbecues clean more quickly, you can line it with aluminum foil. Because the foil reflects the heat, it also improves the heat build-up. However, make sure you poke a few holes in the foil to ensure air circulation.
A waterproof cover helps protect against dirt and moisture from outside. This prevents soiling from pollen or bird droppings, as well as damage and rust on the grill surface.
Old and encrusted barbecue residues are particularly difficult to remove and can quickly spoil the pleasure of a cozy barbecue evening. To ensure that the barbecue is always ready for use, the grill should be thoroughly cleaned after every use and the inside and outside of the barbecue should be cleaned every three months or so. Regular cleaning ensures that the old grill dirt does not affect the taste of the fresh grilled meat.
Sources: weber, t-online, lecker
Thumbnail images: ©pinterest/Art of Manliness
©pinterest/Cooking Light
