Now that spring has arrived, it’s time to dust off your gas or charcoal grill in preparation for the warmer months ahead. However, when your grill has been sitting idle for a while, it’s important to give it a little TLC before firing it up.
Even the best grills need a little maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Knowing how to clean your grill is one thing, but it’s worth putting in a little extra effort when it’s not being used for a while. If, like many people, you store your grill in a garden shed when not in use, you’ll probably need to remove some cobwebs before your first cookout. However, the most important tasks lie inside the grill, where the inevitable buildup of bacteria and moisture could affect both the grill’s performance and the safety of your barbecue the first time you use it this year.
To find out the best way to prepare your grill for summer, we talked to some barbecue experts who shared some helpful tips on how to clean and reseason your gas, charcoal, electric, or pellet grill before you start flipping burgers. This is what they said.
Why it is important to burn the grill
We’ve all been guilty of leaving grease and residue on a grill, and while this could be a problem when cooking indoors, grills are designed to reach extremely high temperatures that will effectively burn off the bad stuff before it reaches the food.
Before you start cooking your hot dogs this summer, the most important thing you should do is burn off any residue from the grill. Even if you gave your grill a good cleaning before covering it during the winter months, it’s still a good idea as it can remove any hidden nasties that might otherwise find their way into your food. This step will also make your grill last longer in the long run.
How to prepare your grill for summer
1. Burn any waste
“The first and most important step,” said Dan Cooper, culinary director of Weber“is to heat the barbecue to its maximum temperature for 30 minutes. This will burn off most of the residual fat. Then turn off the barbecue to allow it to begin to cool.”
Dan noted that this is more essential on some grills than others. “This is not as necessary with a charcoal barbecue, although burning the grill is a sure way to ensure its sterility.”
We also spoke with Ben Forte, international marketing director for the charcoal grill company. Joe Kamado. He agreed that even for charcoal grills, “once or twice a year, a deep cleaning is a good idea. Burning the grills on high heat will always be enough!”
To do this, Ben told us to “turn it on to 315°C or 600°F and hold the temperature for 15 to 20 minutes; that will be enough. The gasket will clean itself through natural heat cycles when you use your grill.” “.
2. Clean your cooking grate
Dan told us that the next step you should take when preparing your grill for summer is to clean the cooking grate.
“While the barbecue is still hot, brush the cooking grates with a barbecue brush to remove debris from the burning process. Be sure to wear protective gloves during this step.”
If you are cooking on a Kamado grill, you may also want to clean the deflectors. These are placed under the grill to limit direct heat.
“When the heat deflectors become dirty during normal use, turn them over, dirty side down, for the next cooking.” Ben said. “The heat from the fire will automatically clean that side of the baffle plate.”
3. Deep clean the inside of your grill
For regular cleanings, most grills won’t need to be disassembled, but performing a deep clean every couple of years can help remove built-up debris. This has the added benefit of keeping your grill looking shiny and new.
When cleaning a Kamado grill, Ben Forte recommended that we “remove all internal components (they lift off easily) and remove any ash or debris that has accumulated inside. Wash cooking grates with a mild detergent. Use a bristle brush plastic to clean the interior ceramic surface. Then, remove or vacuum any debris from the bottom of the grill before replacing the internal components.
If you are cleaning a gas or charcoal grill, similar steps apply. “Once the grill has cooled, remove all the internal components and use a barbecue brush and scraper to clean everything. We always recommend using rubber gloves for this part,” Dan said. “Once finished, place all the cleaned parts back on the grill. Be sure not to jet wash or put the components in the dishwasher, as this can rust some parts.”
4. Clean the exterior
Finally, you should clean your newly groomed grill to keep it fresh. “For the best shine, I use a microfiber cloth,” Dan said.
“My personal cleaning arsenal always includes a brush, cooktop scraper, rubber or latex gloves, enamel and stainless steel cleaning sprays, and a microfiber cloth for drying and polishing.”
5. Check your fuel
Although this does not apply to those using a charcoal or pellet grill, it is important to check the gas supply before using it for the first time this summer.
Dan Cooper told us: “The most important step to check before you start grilling is to make sure the gas hose has no damage or risk of leaks, and that you actually have enough gas!”
It’s worth checking you have a good supply in your tank before inviting friends and family over; Otherwise, you may run out of food when the food is not fully cooked.
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