The return of sunny days also marks the return of BBQ and delicious summer grills. And if sausages, merguez, meat skewers and grilled vegetables reign supreme on the barbecue grill, it is also the case for fat and burnt residue which soon appear. Proof of this is that we always leave several sponges there for cleaning and scrubbing with the wire brush to scrub everything is a very grueling test of strength. What if we told you that this chore didn’t have to be so tedious? Indeed, with the right techniques and sometimes unexpected maintenance products, it is entirely possible to give new life to your tired grill or plancha.
Whether you use a gas barbecue, a charcoal barbecue or a plancha, discover how to clean the barbecue grill effortlessly and without scrubbing like a madman. (These clever tips also work for cleaning the oven rack!)
How often should you clean the barbecue and its grill?
Ideally, it would be necessary clean the grill after each meal outdoors. This prevents dirt from drying or becoming encrusted and of course, dirt is less likely to accumulate. You can thus successfully clean everything without cleaning products or complicated scrubbing. A little dishwashing liquid or black soap, hot water and steel wool to apply this soapy water will be more than enough. You should also remember to empty the ashtray so that you can clean the tank after a few uses.
So no more simple annual cleaning which, in addition to being very complex, is not very good for your health. In fact, it is not never good to cook on a grill full of charred marks and humidity from one year to the next will encourage the appearance of rust. The other advantage of cleaning after each use is that you can do it on a grill that is still a little hot. This means that dirt and food remains are still a little soft and grease is easier to remove. This makes cleaning and degreasing easier and more effective. The cooking will only be better next time!
How to clean the barbecue grill? Here are some surprising tips to the rescue!
1) Aluminum, the improvised accessory that makes the difference
Caught off guard, have you not planned anything to clean the grill? If you don’t have a brass or steel brush, use… your roll of aluminum foil! Rolled into a ball and used for rubbing, it will help quickly clean burnt residue. And if you’re afraid of burning yourself, use pliers to grab your metal ball and strip it safely. With this tip, which requires no special equipment or complicated household products, the dirt just has to hold on!
Good to know: if you don’t have aluminum, a ball of newspaper for rubbing will do the trick very well.
2) An onion to clean the barbecue grill quickly and well
By combining humidity and acidity, the onion is a ally of choice to dissolve all stains and fatty deposits which prevent the grille from displaying its former brilliance. To make it shine like the first day, cut an onion in half and use it to thoroughly scrub the grill. Still in the kitchen, you can also grab the jar of bicarbonate or salt, then sprinkle it on the areas to be treated. Next, use a halved potato as a sponge to scrub the black marks.
3) Strong coffee for an impeccable barbecue grill
Do you have some coffee left from the day before that is no longer very good? Instead of throwing it away or freezing it in an ice cube tray to add it to your future iced coffees, why not use it to clean your grill? This unusual, very effective technique may indeed make you forget the classic dishwashing detergent! To do this, pour the coffee into a large basin and immerse your grill well in this liquid. Afterwards, leave to soak for at least an hour before rubbing a little and rinsing. What restore shine to the grill in addition to finding a use for old coffee !
4) A dishwasher tablet for an impeccable grill
Sometimes the size of the rack allows it to be put in the dishwasher. When this is not the case, tablets can still be used. Already very useful for cleaning the oven, burnt pans, the raclette grill, the toaster or even the toilet, these cubes powerful cleaning and degreasing power can work miracles here too. To do this, immerse the grid in a bed of hot water (for example in the bathtub or a basin), then use one of these cubes to scrub the dirt and make it disappear in seconds. Then make sure to rinse and dry the grill well.
And there you have it! With these few unexpected tips that are a bit of a change from white vinegar, Coca-Cola, lemon juice and baking soda, we can work wonders. All that remains is to enjoy your grilling with peace of mind during the summer season: cleaning will never be a problem again.