For many people, Memorial Day weekend is seen as the start of summer, which means cookout season! However, before you start whipping up some of your favorite summer meals, it’s important to clean your grill, regardless of if it’s gas or electric. Not only will a dirty grill mess with the flavor of your food, it is a dangerous fire hazard since grease buildup can cause flare-ups.
No need to panic at the thought of cleaning your grill, though. Luckily, there are some quick and easy grill cleaning hacks that will ensure your grill sparkles and shines all summer long. And the best part? Each of these hacks use everyday items that you might already have in your home!
Grill Cleaning Hacks
Hack #1: Tongs and Tinfoil
Get rid of debris and stuck-on food with two items that you can likely find in your kitchen: tongs and some tinfoil. Take a piece of the foil and roll it into a ball, hold it with the tongs, and scrub the grates. You can even take it a step further and spray some vinegar on warm grill grates to help break down residue left over.
Hack #2: Coffee
That’s right, coffee is more than just a delicious beverage! Brew a pot and pour it into a large container, submerge grill grates in the coffee, and let them sit for an hour. Then, rinse with hot water and wipe clean, and you are good to go. Similar to vinegar, the acid in coffee helps break down stuck-on grease.
Hack #3: An Onion
This option isn’t for a deep clean, but it is good for a quick clean. Simply cut an onion in half and rub it cut-side down on your hot grill grates. The onion’s moisture creates steam that lifts up any gunk or residue. Just remember that this method may leave some onion flavor on the grates, so best to reserve it for days you’ll be grilling savory dishes.
Hack #4: Beer and Newspaper
Pour half a bottle of beer over the top of your warm grill’s greasy grate, then rub with a newspaper to clean. Beer helps to break down the oil and grease, so grime comes right off!
Other traditional methods, such as soaking grates in hot, soapy water or cleaning via burn off work well, and if done regularly it is the easiest way to maintain a clean grill. However, depending on how often you grill, it is always a good idea to do a deep clean on your grill once or twice a year. The methods of deep cleaning vary by type of grill, so be sure to do your research ahead of time.
By maintaining a clean grill, you’re sure to celebrate cookout season safely and enjoy delicious meals all summer long!
Published on May 18, 2020
