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Keeping your grill clean will help to protect it from rust and deterioration while keeping the cooking surface food-safe.
It’s best to clean your grill after each cooking session, but there’s one important question that you need to consider first.
What is the best BBQ cleaner?
Let’s take a look at the options and find out.
Do You Need a Specialized Cleaning Product for Your Grill?
Unlike your oven, a grill is both an appliance and a cooking surface.
You cook directly on the grates or hotplates, and this means that you need a cleaner that is free of dangerous chemicals and toxins.
You should avoid heavy-chemical products designed for stovetops and ovens because they can potentially leave contaminants that will leach into your food.
The best BBQ cleaners are safe for all grill panels and cooking surfaces.
The Process for Cleaning a Grill Thoroughly
Cleaning the interior of your grill is a straightforward process when you know the steps to follow.
- For a gas grill, start by turning off the gas supply. The grill should be cooled enough so that the surfaces can be handled safely.
- Remove the cooking grates and scrub them with a grill brush, water, and a bottle of BBQ cleaner. Rinse the grates and set them aside to air dry.
- Remove the metal plates covering the burners and follow the same process, scrubbing them with a brush or sponge. Rinse and allow them to dry.
- Wipe grime from the burners using a damp sponge. Check the burner holes for any debris, which can be dislodged with a toothpick.
- Remove the bottom tray from the grill and use a brush or spatula to loosen any grime and debris. Scrub the tray with BBQ cleaner and rinse it clean. Set aside to air dry.
You can use a clean rag or paper towels to remove most of the water after cleaning, but all parts should be thoroughly air-dried before placing them back on the grill.
This will help to prevent rust.
When all parts are dry, reassemble the grill and turn on the gas.
Turn the grill up to medium heat and close the lid.
Leave the grill for 15 minutes to evaporate any leftover moisture.
Cleaning the Grill Exterior
The best BBQ cleaners can be used to clean the grill exterior.
Whether your grill is made from stainless steel or coated steel, the process is the same.
- Use BBQ cleaner with a sponge or cleaning cloth to wipe down all of the exterior surfaces.
- After wiping all surfaces, use a spray bottle of clean water or your hose set to a gentle spray. Spray the exterior while quickly wiping away the excess water with a clean rag or paper towels.
- You can finish exterior surfaces with a stainless steel BBQ cleaner. Follow all product instructions and wipe/polish the surface clean with a clean rag or paper towels.
The Best BBQ Cleaners to Use
The best BBQ cleaners are those that are natural and safe to use around cooking surfaces.
Standard kitchen detergent is suitable for cleaning all surfaces of your grill, or, you can use a specialized cleaner that is designed to remove built-up grease and debris.
Substituting kitchen detergent for a grill-specific product will make the cleaning process easier.
- Goo Gone Grill & Grate Cleaner is a popular option for both exteriors and cooking surfaces. It can be used in all cases where dish detergent would be used. The only downside to Goo Gone is that it isn’t suited to aluminum grills.
- Kona Safe/Clean BBQ Grill Cleaner Spray is an alternative that can be used for all grill types. It’s a specially formulated spray cleaner that is food-safe and suitable for interior and exterior surfaces.
- CitruSafe BBQ Grill Cleaner is a popular option for both gas and charcoal grills, smokers, ovens, and microwaves. It’s safe for cooking surfaces and exteriors.
These are three of the best BBQ cleaners for home grillers.
They all perform well when cleaning grease, grime, dirt, food debris, and charred carbon deposits.
To make cleaning even easier, you can invest in a grill-safe brush for grates, hotplates, and interior surfaces.
The GrillArt Brush and Scraper has non-scratch bristles to protect your grill.
Keep Your Grill Clean and Protect it in the Seasons to Come
Cleaning your grill will protect it from rust and deterioration.
Be thorough, avoid leaving moisture on your grill after cleaning, and always read product instructions before you start cleaning.
Follow our steps and try out the best BBQ cleaners for easier cleaning in any season.