Summer is a great time to get together with friends and family and enjoy BBQ meals. And while cooking and eating outside can reduce the number of dishes you’ll have to wash, there is still some cleaning involved. Yep, those barbeques, grills, and smokers all need to be cleaned regularly.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because the food was cooked at a high temperature, you don’t need to clean the grill afterward. Yes, the high heat does kill off any bacteria, but old fats and oils that are left on the cooking surface can still make you ill.
So here are our tips for cleaning your barbeques, grills, and smokers.
The Outside of the BBQ
Depending on how often you use it will determine how regularly the outside needs to be cleaned. If you leave your barbeque outside all summer, you should probably clean the outside at least once every couple of weeks. Do this by wiping it down with a cloth and some hot soapy water.
For the Grill
The grill should be cleaned before and after each use. Turn on the heat for a few minutes in order to burn off any food debris and then scrub the grates with a spatula. You can do the same thing when you are finished cooking. Every once in a while, it is also a good idea to clean the grates with hot soapy water and leave them to air dry.
For Hot Plates
It can be easy to get baked-on food stuck to the hot plates of your barbeque. Using a balled-up newspaper is a good option for scrubbing the hot plates as it will not damage them. Clean hot plates while they are hot before and after each use.
For the Drip Tray
The most challenging feature on your barbeque to clean is the drip tray, but it is important to clean it at least after every four to five uses – otherwise grease can build up and pose a fire hazard. To make the job easier, cover the drip tray with aluminum foil and fill the pan with sand to absorb the grease. When it comes time to clean the tray, remove the foil and sand and throw them away. Clean the tray with hot and soapy water and leave to air dry before replacing the foil and the sand.
Bonus Tip: Reconsider that wire grill brush!
Wire grill brushes have received a lot of press recently because the wires can sometimes break off and get stuck to the food. If ingested, these wires can puncture the inside of the digestive tract and result in a trip to the emergency room for the unfortunate victim.
As a result, you may want to use alternative cleaning utensils such as wood or stone scrubbers. If you still wish to use a wire brush, experts recommend that you replace it every season as wires are more likely to break off of older brushes.
For more information on how to care for your barbeque, grill, or smoker contact Hamilton Home Comfort today.
