Now that summer weather is in full swing, you’ve likely used your outdoor grill quite a bit and have probably had to clean the grill grates. Cleaning your grill is an important part of proper grill care and there are a lot of benefits to regular cleaning.
However, different kinds of grills have different methods of cleaning. Having clean grill grates helps your food taste better and prevents bacteria or carcinogens from contaminating your food. Make sure to keep up with your grill care for a healthy grilling experience.
Clean Grill Grates for a Charcoal Grill & Gas Grill
Gas grill grates and charcoal grill grates have pretty much the same method for cleaning. However, if you have a charcoal grill, it’s going to require a lot more general cleaning in addition to just the grates.
You should be cleaning the grill grates each time you use a gas or charcoal grill, but with charcoal you have to take it a step further than just the grates. This is because charcoal ash is a by-product each time you cook on the grill, and if left to sit, it can build up. This can affect how the grill heats up, which can be as mild a problem as an uneven cooking temperature or as serious as a grill fire.
Due to this, it’s important to brush out loose ash each time you use a charcoal grill. Just make sure the charcoal is cool first — we don’t want any burns. To clean grill grates on a charcoal or gas grill, you need a special tool.
You need a stiff wire brush to clean grill grates for these types of grills, and it should have a long handle for easy use. Just scrub the brush against the grates to remove gunk and burnt food from them after each grilling session. After that, you can put oil on some paper towels and rub it on the grates for a clean finish. Olive oil is a great option, but you can also use vegetable or canola oil. This also helps prevent rust.
Clean Grill Grates for a Pellet Grill
Cleaning grates on a pellet grill is a different story. Rather than using a brush if you have a pellet grill, you should remove the grill grates to clean them. Again, make sure the grill grates are cool before removing them from the grill. Clean your grill grates with a mild detergent and warm water in an indoor or outdoor sink. Scrub them down with a soft rag, making sure to get any remaining residue off.
Other Grill Grate Cleaning Methods
Do you ever have those stuck-on stains or pieces of gunk on your grill grates? You know, the ones that don’t seem to come off no matter how hard you scrub? We’ve all had that dirty part of the grill that seems doomed to forever be there. But there are some more in-depth ways to clean grill grates that might help you solve this problem and finally have a clean grill.
Deep cleaning grill grates usually requires a soak in some warm water, but there are different cleaning solutions you can pair this with. Some people use vinegar and baking soda, others use dish soap and baking soda, and others just use vinegar and water.
These methods have all been used successfully to clean grates. You just have to figure out which solution works best for you. Or your choice may be whichever ingredients you always have around the house.
You’re all set to have a tasty summer with these grill grate cleaning tips. And if you happen to be looking for a grill, stop in at The Pool People. We have a selection of Memphis Wood Fire Grills and Kamado Joe® grills you can take a look at. And we have tips for cleaning them as well.
