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If you love to cook outdoors during the summer or at any time of the year, a flat-top grill could be the perfect outdoor appliance for you.
Although not as versatile as a standard grilling surface, a flat-top grill can provide some serious advantages.
You’ll be able to cook eggs, pancakes, bacon, and even flatbread on the grill surface, making it the perfect option for summer breakfasts.
Flat tops are also perfect for steaks, chops, burgers, and sausages.
Flat tops heat up quickly and excess oils are directed away from your food into the grease collection tray.
Your cooking will be healthier and more flavorful, and the searing hot surface will lock juices inside.
If you’re planning to buy a flat-top grill or if you’ve recently set one up at home, you’ll need to know how to keep it clean.
A clean grill will last longer and preserve the flavors of food, no matter what you’re cooking.
Here are the most important steps to follow as you learn how to clean a flat top grill.
How Do You Know When Your Grill Needs Cleaning?
Some home cooks clean their flat-top grills after every cooking session, but this isn’t always necessary.
Wiping down with a paper towel and applying a thin layer of oil on the grilling surface can protect the material underneath.
However, there are some signs to look out for that will tell you when it’s time to perform a deep clean.
If your food is sticking, cooking unevenly, or if there are visible signs of burnt flakes and oil, you’ll know it’s time to get started with the following steps.
If you cook just once or twice a week, you should be cleaning your grill at least once every month.
Three Steps to Clean Your Flat Top Grill
Follow these simple steps and you’ll be able to restore an older flat-top grill or keep your new one in pristine condition.
1: Scrub the Cooking Surface
The surface of a flat-top grill can rust if left uncleaned for long periods.
It should be cleaned and oiled regularly to prevent corrosion.
You can remove the surface (consult your user manual) and clean it with standard kitchen detergent and a sponge.
For caked-on cooking debris, use a nylon scrubbing brush or a grill scraper first.
After cleaning the surface, pat everything dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
Allow it to air dry before applying a thin layer of cooking oil to the surface.
2: Cleaning the Body and Inside of the Grill
Grease can accumulate on the body of your grill or even inside the firebox.
This can be cleaned with a specialist grill cleaning product or even white vinegar. Vinegar breaks down oils and quickly evaporates, while specialist products are designed to remove grease without causing rust.
Work your cleaning product into every corner and crevice to get all of the grease and debris.
Be sure to wipe off any excess cleaning product with paper towels or a clean rag.
3: Seasoning a Flat Top Grill
If your grilling surface is made from cast iron, it will need to be seasoned after cleaning.
- Follow the other steps first and get your grill completely clean.
- Replace the cooking surface, and turn the grill on.
- Allow it to heat up at high temperatures for up to 15 minutes.
- Turn off the burners and wait a few minutes for the surface to cool slightly.
- Apply cooking oil with a high smoke point to the surface, and spread it across with a paper towel.
- The entire surface should be coated, but avoid using too much oil. There should be a visible sheen across the metal.
- Turn the grill back on at a high temperature and wait for the oil to start smoking. As soon as smoke appears, turn off the grill.
- Allow the surface to cool and wipe away any excess oil with a paper towel.
This process gets oil into the porous metal.
It will prevent rust and also create a non-stick cooking surface.
Your cast-iron grilling surface should be seasoned every time you clean it, as detergents will remove oil from the metal.
Helpful Grill Cleaning Products
A scraper, brush, and cleaning solution can help you to maintain your grill over many years.
The following suggestions are perfect for flat-top grills of all sizes.
- This Blackstone Griddle Accessory Tool Kit is perfect for both cooking and cleaning. It includes two oversized spatulas for flipping ingredients and a scraper that is ideal for removing debris during cleaning.
- A specialist grill cleaner is ideal for cleaning surfaces as well as the firebox. This Goo Gone Grill & Grate Cleaner uses citrus oils for effective cleaning, and it’s safe for both the grill body and cooking surfaces.
- Char-Broil makes this BBQ-Aid Barbecue Grill Brush and Scraper that is perfect for cleaning large flat top surfaces.
Keep your grill clean throughout the year and you’ll enjoy a sanitary cooking surface that is protected from rust and deterioration.