Seven Steps To A Season of Eating
Cleaning Tips to Get Your Grill Party-Ready
It's about time to fire up your grill for another season of outdoor cooking.
What Materials You’ll Need
- heavy-duty grill scraper
- abrasive grill brush
- scouring pad
- sponge
- microfiber cloth
- dish soap
- warm water
- large, plastic bucket
- latex gloves or work gloves
- natural grill degreaser (optional)
Assess the Mess
Determine if you need to simply clean or replace the grates and burners. Rusty or crumbling grates require disassembly and replacement. Be sure to check your owner's manual, and take a photo before you pull the grill apart. And, always turn off the gas when disassembling a grill
Warm It Up
For a basic deep clean, keep the burners in place and focus your attention on the grates. First, turn on the grill to warm up the unit.
Start Scraping
Once warm, use a heavy-duty grill scraper to remove the top layer of cooked-on grit and grime.
Scrub Warm Grates
Scrub the heated grates with a wire grill brush. If you need more power, opt for a battery-powered model. When you're finished, turn off the grill.
Soak Grates
Once the grates are cool to the touch, place them into a bucket of warm, soapy water. Soak the grates for a few hours, then scrub off any excess grime using a scouring sponge.
Degrease
Use a degreaser to clean up the grates as well as the grill’s exterior. Wipe clean with a damp sponge, then dry with a fresh microfiber cloth.
Shine It Up
Shine up the exterior with a stainless-steel cleaner or equivalent if not stainless; this will also help protect the exterior in the coming months.