As the weather starts getting warmer in Seattle, WA, you’re probably looking forward to grilling season. Now’s the time to get your grill ready for plenty of backyard cookouts and barbecues. Keeping your grill clean and well maintained ensures that every meal you prepare is safe to eat, not to mention delicious. Here’s how to clean up and repair your BBQ grill for the best season of the year: grilling season!
Why do you need to clean your grill?
While those perfect char marks on a burger or pork chop makes these foods look very appetizing, they also produce carbon deposits on every surface of a grill. The grates, hood, flavorizing bars and (in the case of gas grills) burner tubes hold on to these deposits that also contain grease and residue from sugary sauces. As you might expect, this is an ideal place for bacteria to grow. Not only does this affect the food’s safety, but it also makes the grill heat unevenly, directly impacting the quality of the food. By properly cleaning up and repairing your BBQ grill during the spring, you can whip up great foods throughout the entire grilling season in Seattle, WA.
Are the cleaning processes different for gas and charcoal grills?
The way you clean your grill depends on the type of grill you have. Gas grills are relatively easy to clean. Start the process by firing up the grill and letting it reach full temperature with the hood closed. After 30 minutes, the stuck-on food and grease should be heated to a point where it can be easily removed. Use a wire brush and warm, soapy water to take off any deposits on the grill’s surface. If you have a charcoal grill, all you need to do is remove any remaining charcoal briquettes, then use a putty knife to take off caked-on charcoal dust and debris.
How can you clean the grates and flavorizer bars?
Since grates and flavorizer bars have direct contact with your food, they need to be completely clean. Remove these elements from the grill and submerge them completely in warm, soapy water. After they’ve soaked for at least 30 minutes, scrub them with a wire brush. If you find that some stubborn gunk just won’t seem to loosen up, mix a paste of white vinegar and baking soda and apply it to the affected area. After a final rinse, this should loosen up even the most stuck-on residue.
How can you clean the outside of a grill?
The simplest way to get the outside of a grill clean is by wiping it down with a soft sponge and soapy water. Never use rough scouring pads or steel wool, as they scratch the surface very easily. If you have a stainless steel grill, use stainless steel cleaning spray or undiluted white vinegar and a dry cloth to wipe away any dirt and grime.
Now that you’ve learned the basics about how to clean up and repair your BBQ grill, roll up your sleeves and get to work before grilling season is in full swing in Seattle, WA. Contact Stewart Lumber & Hardware Co. to find the right tools for the job, or if you need any help to repair this handy outdoor appliance.