Comments on: How to Clean a Barbecue Grill

on 5/20/2008 The "Brush with wire brush before and after you grill, but while the grill is very hot (turn up heat if not on full blast before brushing)" method works very well, and I only do the 'full clean thing' before the beginning of the grilling season.

on 9/30/2006 The easy way to clean your BBQ Grill's grate is to simply put it in your self-cleaning oven inside your home... Then turn on the oven's self cleaning cycle... You get a clean grate as well as a clean oven, and no work, no hassel... I know, I have been doing it for years... now if I can just get the rest of my grill into the oven, I'd have a clean bbq pan too!

on 8/19/2006 You simply cut an onion in half and scrub the rack with the onion. Works great!

on 8/8/2006 Maybe I'm overly cautious, but I have a grill surface that scratches easily, beyond which, I want my food cooked on a clean surface. I take out the grill top, hose it, use Softscrub with a plastic scrubbie, then I hose it down good. Burning off and using a scuzzy looking brush turns me off.

on 3/17/2006 Here's a method that is very effortless.
If you live around sand, then this is a charcoal grill grate cleaning system for you. Just put grill grate(s) on sand and brush off remains by scraping the top(s) with the bottom of your shoes, back and forth. You don't have to apply much pressure rubbing grate(s), then wash dirt off afterward. No, fumes, no chemicals, no mess, environmental friendly. Worried about germs from the dirt? Don't be. The next time you use the grill, the fire will cure that.

on 11/22/2005 Take an 18 inch long piece of aluminum foil and ball it up. Rub it over the cold grates. When you reheat the grill next time, it will take off any remaining residue.

on 11/22/2005 After cooking, lay a sheet(s) of tinfoil over your grates (this can be done while you are eating). Leave the grill setting on high. When you are done eating, the grates will clean. You can use a wire brush to get rid of the dust. It wastes a little gas, but there's no oven cleaner or abrasives involved (as well as any elbow grease).

on 11/22/2005 No need for a lot of cleaners, chemicals and scrubbing here! After I've cooked something, I leave the clean-up until the next time I use it. When I go to cook again, I turn the flames up high on the empty grill while I'm prepping the food. By the time the patties are pressed and the corn is done soaking in water (that's for another tip), the grate is ready for a quick rub with a wire brush. It's not going to get shiny-clean, but the build-up of actual food material will come off easily.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure you clean your barbecue grill outside. If you are using oven cleaner, you need to be in a well ventilated space. The chemicals can damage your lungs, throat, nose and eyes.

on 11/22/2005 Put cast iron grates in your oven and set it to self clean. Afterward, season the cast iron as you would a Lodge pan (Crisco, 400 degree oven for an hour). Grates will stay non-stick and great looking for months.

on 11/22/2005 Place your grate in a bucket of lukewarm malt vinegar, that will loosen any burnt on deposits. Afterward, spray the grate with copious amounts of cold water, use a Brillo pad (or some other metal scourer) to clean the grate.

on 11/22/2005 Forget oven cleaners!

Here in Texas, we just fire up the grill with mesquite wood or charcoal ( for the less professional grillers) with all the junk left over on the grill from last time, place the grill back on with high heat ( watch your hands - I recommend using welding gloves). The high heat melts off most of the junk in about 5 minutes. Then use a wire brush to remove the fines just before the wood/ charcoal is ALMOST ready for cooking ( about 2 minutes). Once the wood /coal is ready for cooking, finish off the grill cleaning process using a large onion stuck onto a large cooking fork, using medium-high force to push along each square inch of surface to remove the extra fine junk ( about 1 minute). The onion cleans the grill, gives the food flavor, and keeps the food from sticking onto the grill - all for only 3 minutes of actual cleaning effort !

Gabriel

on 11/22/2005 Wait until grill gets fairly hot. Slice an orange in half.Take the sliced orange and rub on grill racks.
Make sure to wear gloves. Works like a charm.

on 11/22/2005 Use a woven mesh steel scouring pad. A brush from GrillWizard.com makes the pad manipulable over a hot fire. Wipe the grate clean with a damp towel after scouring.

on 11/22/2005 Spread out several thinknesses of newspaper on the ground, lay
your grill grates on top and spray with dish liquid and lots of water. Then add another layer of newspaper and wet that down thoroughly. In about 1/2 hour, wipe it clean.