Clean All Parts Once Each Year
At the beginning and end of each grilling season, or at least once a year if you grill year-round, give your charcoal grill a thorough cleaning with hot soapy water and a stiff nylon brush or fiber scrub pad.
For complete cleaning, perform this work systematically, beginning with the surfaces up under the hood and moving down to the side walls and bottom of the cooking chamber. Make sure to thoroughly clean the drip pan.
Conclude by wiping down the outside of the grill from top to bottom, using warm water. Wipe dry to prevent rust.
How To Clean A Stainless Steel Grill
Congratulations on having the easiest grill to use and clean, period. You can clean this type of grill with nearly any solution. Pick whatever works best for you.
- Clean your flat top, stainless grill while itâs still hot for best results.
- You can clean a stainless steel grill with either a mixture of dish soap and hot water, ready-made degreaser or a DIY baking soda solution. Whichever you choose, spray or pour directly onto the hot grillâs surface and use a soft bristled brush or rag to scrub off any debris.
- Try using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Durable for tricky grease spots or tough stains.
- Rinse grill top with clean warm water to remove residue from soap, degreaser or baking soda. Wipe dry with a clean rag.
- Never use abrasive cleaning solutions, metal brushes or steel wool on stainless steel. It scratches easily. Also, avoid using stainless steel polish on your grill, since polish will often become discolored under extreme heat.
How To Clean A Charcoal Bbq
If you have a charcoal BBQ, you need to deep-clean it at least once a year. Even more often, if youre using it regularly. Carbon and ash can accumulate from the barbecues frequent usage, which can be extremely dangerous for your health.
Clean the grill grate and the charcoal grate. Remove the ash and clean the bottom of the BBQ and the tray. Reassemble the BBQ back and leave it to air dry before putting it away.
Follow the step-by-step process of how to clean a charcoal BBQ:
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Clean Grates And Racks After Each Use
Cleaning chores are much easier if they are done often, after each use of the grill. This is critical with gas grills since the high temperatures can bake on grease and foods, making it challenging to clean the grates and racks once they cool and the grease hardens.
Make sure to clean these parts after every cooking session.
How Long Does A Charcoal Grill Stay Hot
Why wont my charcoal grill get hot? How long does a charcoal grill stay hot? The answer to this question depends largely on the type of charcoal grill and how much charcoal is in it. Small, portable grills generally remain hotter for longer than large, stationary barbeque grills because they have less mass to heat up and maintain their heat. For example, if two medium-sized grilling sessions were held with equal amounts of fuel in each grill but one was larger than the other, the larger grill would take more time to cool off completely, whereas the smaller grill wouldnt get as warm and would cool off faster.
The overall temperature of a charcoal bbq also depends on where you measure the temperature: If you measure close to theals , you will not get very accurate results, because most of the energy is dissipated in heating up the grill itself.
If you allow your charcoal grill to become hotter than normal, it may catch fire or emit hazardous chemicalsfor example, when fat from cooking meat drops into the coals and reaches 450 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. To prevent this potentially dangerous occurrence, keep a lid on your grill when its in use. Also avoid placing any flammable materials underneath it. If grease does ignite, extinguish it with baking soda or salt instead of water.
Why wont my charcoal grill get hot? Related question:
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The Benefits Of Using A Charcoal Grill Over Other Types Of Grills
It can be argued that grilling is just as popular in the United States as baseball, the summertime weather and apple pie. According to a report by the Hearth, Patio, & Barbecue Association*, approximately 70% of U.S. households own some type of grill or smoker for outdoor cooking on their patios, balconies or decks. Charcoal grills are very popular because its possible to grill year-round with them, theyre inexpensive compared to other types of grills, and are easy to store when not being used.
Their popularity may have something to do with all the benefits associated with using them over gas grills:
Charcoal grills allow your food to maintain its natural flavors
Due to the porous nature of charcoal, its able to absorb and retain more flavor than a gas grill. The natural flavors of foods like fish, poultry, and red meat are enhanced through its use.
Charcoal grilling is better for your health
Certain harmful compounds that can develop during cooking, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons , benzene and acrylamide*, arent produced when meats are grilled over charcoals. These chemicals have been connected to an increased risk of cancer*. Another reason not to use propane or other types of gas: they can lead to flare-ups that deposit carcinogens onto your food as well as impart toxic chemical residues into the air youre breathing while you cook.
Using a charcoal grill helps you eat healthier
Its easy to get started grilling when you use a charcoal grill
How Do You Clean Charcoal Grill Grates
For a heavy-duty clean, first remove the grill grates and any ashes from the bottom of the grill and ash catcher. Next, spray oven cleaner on the grates and on the inside of the grill. While the cleaner penetrates, mix up some warm water and dish detergent. Use a rag or paper towel to clean the exterior of the grill.
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Wipe The Grates And Racks
Wipe the grates and racks with a damp rag to remove loosened bits, and make sure there are no loose brush bristles left on the grate .
If you have a cast-iron grate, clean it completely, then brush on some vegetable oil with a paper towel to keep your grate in proper shape. Bare cast iron needs to be inspected regularly, because it is more likely to rust.
How To Break In A New Charcoal Grill Actionable Tips To Apply
So, there are some easy tricks for breaking in a new charcoal grill before you start cooking with it:
Remember, the grill grate isnt the only thing that needs to be broken in. The lid also needs to be checked for warping and heat damage, as well as any vents it might have.
You should use a combination of direct and indirect heat on your new grill during the cooking process. Simply place hot coals at one end of the top grate so they are touching each other but not resting against any food.
Grill over these hot coals until you start getting smoke from the meats, then move them away from your food or lift up an edge of your food to keep them away so they dont overcook your meat.
After this initial break-in time, turn off all of the burners underneath your grill and let it cool down completely. Dont try to clean your new grill grate yet, since the residue might stick and make cleaning harder.
You can also remove the grill grates from your charcoal grill, set them on a work table or flat surface and scrub them with a nylon brush and hot water once theyre cooled down. Be sure not to use any harsh chemicals like bleach when washing your grill grate!
Once youve done all of this, then youll be able to start cooking great food with your new barbecue!
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How To Clean A Cast Iron Grill
Cast iron is super tricky. Like, how are you supposed to clean something without using soap? Quite the riddle.
- Itâs best to burn off any food built up on your cast iron grill by cranking the grillâs heat way up with the lid on.
- Once the grates cool, you can use a bristled grill brush to scrub the grates.
- Use minimal water on cast iron, otherwise it can develop rust.
- Coating your cast iron with a light layer of vegetable oil after and in between uses helps to protect the grates against rust.
Now youâre all set to fire up the grill, without having to worry about the grimy ghosts from last summerâs burnt bratwursts coming back to haunt this weekâs grilled romaine and black bean burgers. So set the clocks ahead an hour, pour yourself a Moscow Mule and bust out the bug spray. Spring has sprung, baby.
At The Start Of Grilling Season
If you put the grill away dirty at the end of the previous grilling season, don’t feel bad. You might’ve thought you’d be grilling again that year, then the weather took a turn, one thing led to another, and now it’s next year.
Don’t worry! If this happens, the best way to start the grilling season is to build a fire in your grill to bake off any gunk. This is also a good way to deal with any spiders or insects that may have taken up residence in there.
- After about half an hour of cleansing fire, use the scraper side of your grill brush to remove heavy debris, then use the brush side to thoroughly clean the surface and between the grates of the grill.
- Don’t have a grill brush? Get one! They’re a must for keeping your grill clean. In a pinch you can use a ball of foil held with a pair of long grill tongs.
- Don’t have grill tongs? Get some! And make sure they’re long. Ordinary kitchen tongs are too short and can cause you to burn yourself reaching across a hot grill.
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Quick Tips For Cleaning Your Charcoal Grill
Learn how to clean and maintain your charcoal grill so it’ll last for years.
Im a charcoal grill kind of girl. I dont so much mind the extra effort to manage the coals, and for some reason it just always tastes better to me, as if Im camping or at a family picnic at a community pavilion. Much like gas grills, charcoal grills require a certain level of maintenance. Its actually very much the same type of basic grill maintenance, and fortunately, its something you can easily do yourself to help make your product last a long time . Im getting hungry as I write this!
How To Clean A Grill Gas Vs Charcoal
Keep your grill at its best.
If you’ve put your grill to good use this year, it probably shows. But all the summer cookouts and backyard memories were worth it that is, until it’s time to deep clean your grill.
Though cleaning your grill can seem daunting, the occasional deep clean will keep things running smoothly. Whether you’re doing some pre-season prep work, or you’re closing out the season and looking to hang up your grilling apron for a while, taking the time to clean your grill on occasion will not only prevent bacteria from harboring in your grill, it will also improve the taste of your food. Learn step-by-step how to clean both a gas and a charcoal grill.
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Clean With Aluminum Foil And Baking Soda
- Make a paste of 1 ½ cup ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda and ½ cup water in a small bowl. It should be a thick liquid consistency that sticks to the grill grates.
- Using a brush or sponge, cover the grill grates with the baking soda paste and let sit for a few minutes.
- Tear off a sizable piece of aluminum foil and crumple into a ball.
- Scrub the baking-soda covered grate wires with the aluminum foil ball, working up and down each wire and across the grate.
- Rinse the grate with water and return to the grill.
Grill Cleaning Basics: How When And How Often To Clean
Lyman recommends giving your grill a thorough cleaning twice a year: once at the beginning of grilling season and once at the end. If you grill year round, he said to schedule your deep cleans around the warm season, or whenever you’re likely to use your grill the most.
The grill grates require cleaning after every use.
When it comes to which tools to use to clean your grill, West said stainless steel and silicone brushes are preferred these materials can withstand high heat. As for cleaning solutions, West suggested avoiding anything chemical-based. I dont worry about cleansers, West said. Let the heat do the sanitizing.
Lyman shared similar advice about cleaning solutions. While oven cleaners and commercial cleaners work well to clean grill grates, he said these products can damage the surface of your grill or pose health risks after you cook food on the grate if theyre overused.
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How Often One Needs To Clean A Charcoal Grill
Well, it depends on how often you use your grill. If you are an avid grill lover and put your grilling gloves on every other weekend, then you should do a little cleaning touchup after every use. By little cleaning touchup, we mean rubbing the grates with sandpaper or a boar bristle brush after every use.
Tip #: Clean The Grate Before Cooking
Much like with a gas grill, as the charcoal heats up the grilling grate, you can scrape loose debris left over from your last cooking session using a stainless steel bristled brush. While warm, the residue will scrape away easily and leave you with a surface that your food is less likely to stick to.
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Keep Your Charcoal Grill In Top Form By Knowing A Variety Of Ways To Clean It
Warmer days mean that barbecue season is almost upon us. Before you fire up your grill, its a good idea to review how to clean it. Each of the following techniques can be used to clean a charcoal grill.
For grilling safety, always make sure your grill is completely cooled before you start cleaning.
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How To Get Rid Of Rust
A common issue people face when caring for grills is rust, which Lyman said comes from moisture on exposed metal surfaces. A rusty grill is generally avoidable if you take care of it, but if you notice rust on your grill grate especially, you should work to get rid of it before it becomes a bigger problem.
West said you can soak rusty grill grates overnight in a salt and vinegar solution and then use steel wool to scrub it down. Afterwards, coat the previously rusted area with oil. He noted that patches of rust on the exterior or bottom of grills are generally not a concern.
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What You Need To Clean A Charcoal Grill
There are several supplies you will need to clean your grill effectively, including:
- A grill brush or a coarse cleaning brush
- Paper or plastic bags
- A fork
Pro Tip:
You dont need a grill cleaner or special soaps to clean your grill a DIY dish soap and water mixture does the trick. But some cleaners can minimize the amount of the scrubbing you need to do. If you try these cleaners, make sure the surfaces are rinsed and wiped cleaned so soap residue doesnt get near your food.
Remove Old Ash From The Grill Base
Remove the upper and lower grill grates and set them aside. Using a small grill shovel or handheld brush and dustpan, remove the ash and burnt-out charcoal from the base of your grill. Dispose of it in a non-combustible container in the trash. If your charcoal is 100% hardwood, you can also reuse it in your backyard, since hardwood ash can help improve the quality of your soil. You can either spread cooled ash throughout your yard directly, dissolve it in a bucket of water to pour over your garden, or add it to the compost pile.
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First Heres How Often You Should Clean A Charcoal Grill
If you own a charcoal grill, you should give it a deep clean at least once during the grilling season, or even twice if you grill often. Why? You dont want carbon or ash buildup in your grill, or rust buildup on the grill grates.
Cleaning out public grills before you use them is also recommended, as you dont know who was there before you, what they made, or how long its been since the grill was last used.
Gather your cleaning supplies