Cleaning Bbq Sauce Off Your Grill: Easy Steps For Sparkling Grates

Cleaning your barbecue grill is important to prevent residue build-up, which can cause food to stick and affect the taste of your food. There are various methods to clean your grill, depending on the type of grill you have. For porcelain grates, use a nylon scrubber brush while the grill is still hot, and scrub in a diagonal motion. For stainless steel and cast iron grates, use a stainless steel grill brush and scrub using a back-and-forth motion. You can also deep clean your grill by soaking the grates in a vinegar and baking soda solution overnight, then scrubbing off any remaining gunk before rinsing and drying.

Use a vinegar and water solution

Vinegar is a great natural cleaner for your barbecue grill. It can be used to cut through the tough, burnt-on gunk that builds up on the grill grates, especially if barbecue sauce or other seasonings are used during cooking.

To use a vinegar and water solution to clean your grill, start by mixing equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the grates and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the vinegar to start breaking down the residue. Then, scrub the grates with a brush or scourer. If you don't have a grill brush, you can use a ball of crumpled aluminum foil instead.

For a deeper clean, you can soak the grates in a vinegar solution. Mix one cup of vinegar with two cups of baking soda and pour the solution into a large container or garbage bag. Place the grates in the solution and let them soak overnight. The next day, remove the grates and rinse them with a garden hose. Most of the stuck-on food should come off easily. If there is still some residue, scrub it off with a brush. Finally, rinse and dry the grates before placing them back in the grill.

Using a vinegar and water solution is an effective and natural way to clean your barbecue grill, leaving it looking and smelling fresh for your next cookout.

Clean with an onion

An onion is a cheap, non-toxic alternative to chemical grill cleaners. Its natural acidity and fluids can loosen dirt, stuck-on food, and grease, and have your grill looking as good as new in minutes. The natural juices also have antibacterial properties that sanitise the grates and can add a bit of flavour to your cooking.

How to clean your grill with an onion:

• Turn the grill to high.
• Slice an onion in half (no need to peel or remove the skin).
• Pierce the onion half with a long grilling fork or a skewer.
• Rub the cut side of the onion along the grill grates. The heat will activate the onion's natural fluids, helping to remove charred food and debris.
• If you're dealing with particularly stubborn charred remains, spray the onion or the grates with lemon juice or vinegar first. The extra acidity will help to break down grime and loosen stuck-on food.

Any onion will work, but a larger one will obviously cover more grill territory than a smaller one.

If you've used up all of the onion, you can throw it away. If you're cooking with charcoal, you can toss the used onion into the coals to add flavour to whatever you're grilling.

Use a non-scratch scour pad

Using a non-scratch scour pad is an important step in cleaning your BBQ grill. It is vital to use a non-scratch pad to avoid scratching the plastic or stainless steel parts of your grill. Scratches can cause rusting and leeching, so it is important to be gentle during the cleaning process.

To clean your grill, start by removing any large pieces of food or debris from the grate. Then, heat up the grill to burn away any remaining food residue. You can do this by turning the grill to its "high" setting and letting it heat up for 10-15 minutes, or until the temperature reaches 500-600 °F (260-316 °C). After heating, use a non-scratch scour pad to scrub the grate in a back-and-forth motion, removing any remaining grease or food particles.

If your grill has a lot of built-up gunk, such as barbecue sauce, you can wet the scour pad before scrubbing. You can also try using a non-scratch sponge with warm, soapy water to wipe down the grate before or after scrubbing. This will help to remove any stubborn grease or food residue.

It is recommended to clean your grill grates after each use to prevent the build-up of residue and improve food quality. Additionally, remember to always clean your grill when it is cool, and work from the exterior to the interior to avoid re-cleaning any areas.

Soak in a vinegar and baking soda solution

Soaking your grill grates in a vinegar and baking soda solution is a great way to deep clean your grill. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First, mix one cup of vinegar with two cups of baking soda in a large container or trash bag. The amount of vinegar and baking soda can be adjusted depending on the size of your grill grates and the degree of grime. Ensure you have a large enough container or bag to completely submerge the grates in the solution.

Next, carefully place the grates in the solution and fully submerge them. Allow them to soak for several hours or preferably overnight. The vinegar and baking soda solution will help loosen and break down any stubborn grease, grime, and burnt-on food particles.

Once the grates have soaked, remove them from the solution and rinse them thoroughly with water. You can use a garden hose to spray off the majority of the loosened grime. If there is any remaining gunk, use a brush to scrub it off. For porcelain-coated grates, use a nylon brush, and for cast iron or stainless steel grates, a stainless steel wire brush can be used.

Finally, give the grates a final rinse with hot water and pat them dry with a microfiber towel before placing them back on the grill.

This method is an effective way to deep clean your grill grates without the use of harsh chemicals. The vinegar and baking soda solution is not only powerful against grime but is also safe to use on various types of grill grates, including porcelain, cast iron, and stainless steel.

Use a grill brush

Using a grill brush is an effective way to clean your BBQ. It is recommended to clean your grill before and after barbecuing. Here are some tips on how to use a grill brush to clean your BBQ:

Choose the Right Grill Brush

It is important to select the right type of grill brush for your grill. For porcelain-coated grates, use a nylon or curved brush to avoid scraping the coating. For stainless steel or cast-iron grates, a stainless steel wire brush is suitable as it is gentle and won't scratch the surface.

Keep the Grill Hot

Turn the grill to its highest setting to soften any leftover grease and make cleaning easier. Heat the grill for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the temperature reaches 500 to 600 °F (260 to 316 °C). Then, turn off the burners.

Scrub the Grate

Use the grill brush to scrub the grate in a back-and-forth motion along each bar. Continue until all bars are free of grease and food particles. If there is built-up gunk, such as barbecue sauce, wet the brush before scrubbing.

Clean the Underside of the Grill

After the grill has cooled down, flip it over and clean the underside. Scrape away any excess food and gunk with the brush using diagonal motions. The underside may take longer to clean due to drippings that accumulated during cooking.

Apply Vegetable Oil

After cleaning, dip a towel in vegetable oil and wipe it along each bar of the grate. This will help prevent rusting. Be careful not to use too much oil, as it can cause flare-ups if it drips onto smouldering food particles.

Safety Precautions

Always wear heat-proof gloves when handling hot grill components. Additionally, inspect your grill brush regularly and replace it if the bristles become loose or bent. Loose bristles can fall out and stick to the grate, potentially ending up in your food.

Frequently asked questions