Grilling food is a pleasure, but cleaning it is the bane of many people. If a grill is to perform well, it should be cleaned after each use and regularly maintained. We show you how to do it.
The spring-summer season is a time for family and friends gatherings outdoors. An obligatory part of every party is the barbecue, where you can prepare not only the standard sausages, pork neck or shashliks, but also different types of meat, fish, vegetables, and even bananas or cheese.
Regardless of whether you have a charcoal, gas or electric grill, small or large, portable or stationary, it must be cleaned and maintained. Regularity is also important here. Proper care is necessary after each use of the grill. Then it will serve for many years, and the food prepared on it will always be as tasty and aromatic.
The charcoal grill is the most popular, and also the least complicated. It actually consists of only a few parts – a metal bowl, a grate and legs, sometimes with wheels. Some models also have a lid.
The most problematic part is cleaning the grate. If you want to keep it clean, avoid burning meat or other foods or grill everything on trays or wrapped in aluminum foil.
Furthermore, cleaning is best done when the grill is still slightly warm. Then take out the grill grate and remove all the dirt, preferably using a stainless steel bristle brush. If that doesn’t help, you can use home methods – water with vinegar and soap, or sprinkle a thick layer of salt on the wet grate, then burn it and collect everything with a sponge.
You should also remember to wash the grill pan thoroughly with soapy water or washing-up liquid, but you cannot pour water over it while the briquette is still glowing. Lemon juice will deal with any rust spots. The casing should also be cleaned from the outside – carefully, so as not to damage the painted surface. It is then important to wipe all the elements dry so that they do not rust.
You can also purchase a special cover for your charcoal grill and cover it, thus protecting it from the weather.
In the case of a gas grill, the matter is a bit more complicated. First of all, because you have to remember about many elements. A gas barbecue is usually powered by a gas cylinder and, depending on the model, has one or more burners that are the source of fire. Between them and the grate is a plate/tray, which not only protects the food from burning, but also acts as a grease drainer.
At first, before doing any work, you need to disconnect the device from the gas, and then unfold all the elements and clean them thoroughly, especially focusing on the grate. For this purpose, a wire brush or a brush with bristles of steel will work well.
Do not forget about the drainer. You should also wash the aroma rails covering the burners, the bowl, the whole casing and side shelves. A sponge with hot water and dishwashing liquid will work well for this. Cleaning the gas supply components is also important.
Once a year, each charcoal grill should be impregnated with edible oil, such as spray or applied with a brush. The grill should be checked for leaks before the season and replaced with a new one if necessary.
The grill is best placed in a cover that will protect it from changing weather. In addition, the gas bottle should be stored in a safe and dry place. Make sure it is sealed tightly beforehand.
Finally, there are electric grills left. They are completely different from charcoal ones. These have ceramic-coated or Teflon-coated cooking plates, do not smoke and can be used indoors and on the balcony all year round without any problems.
For cleaning should be taken immediately after use and immediately after disconnecting the equipment from the power supply. On the plates remains a layer of grease and remains of unburnt food. It should therefore be removed and washed thoroughly, taking care not to scratch and damage the non-stick coating. Do not use rough sponges or wire brushes. A soft cloth or a sponge dipped in water with washing-up liquid works best.
Heavier dirt can be removed with a special preparation or homemade – a mixture of warm water with baking soda and salt or vinegar and soap.
