Grill Season Cleaning Edition: Minute Cleaning Hacks

Hotdogs, hamburgers, BBQ chicken, while all of these can be made on the stovetop perfectly well. But there is nothing like gathering friends and family, heading outside & firing up the grill. In always sunny South Florida, grill season is practically year-round. For those of you in other areas, the upcoming Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to pull out the grill. Today’s Grill Season Cleaning Edition: Minute Cleaning Hacks we will be sharing our favorite methods for getting your grill ready for the warmer weather and backyard gatherings. As with all appliances, you should always refer to your owner’s manual for cleaning and maintenance instructions.

Grill Season Cleaning Tips

When not regularly maintained, grills in general tend to collect a lot of dirt and grime, especially if left outside for a long period of time. Charcoal, pellet, electric and gas grills all require slightly different methods of cleaning depending on their components. Whatever type of grill you have I would always recommend, at the very least, once a year doing a deep clean. Do this when needed and you will have a season of hassle-free grilling.

Make use of your dishwasher

Don’t waste time cleaning smaller parts of your grill by hand. Removable hotplates and any metal components on the grill should go straight in your dishwasher. Choose the hottest setting possible, along with the maximum dose of detergent. While the dishwasher is getting to work on those items, you can get on the bigger items.

Heat

If this is your first time firing up the grill this year, then make sure to dedicate some time to get your grill up to heat. Greasing your hot grill with a bit of vegetable oil can ensure that food doesn’t stick! And once you’re finished, use that excess heat to carbonize any leftover food debris. Instead of sticking, it’ll burn to a crisp and be a lot easier to simply scrape off. Now is the time to pull out that grill brush and give the grates a good scrubbing.

Cut an onion in half

This hack works best when the grill is still warm, so it’s not something you can do just after removing your barbecue from storage. Nevertheless, it’s perfect for keeping your grill reasonably clean throughout the barbecuing season. Cut an onion in half, attach it to a large fork, and rub it over the bars of the grill. The onion release juices which turn into steam and dissolve grease with ease.

White vinegar

When it comes to getting your grill ready for all the gatherings and yummy food, there’s nothing better than white vinegar. Food-safe and highly effective, vinegar is very effective at cutting through grease, dirt, carbonized food and odors — all at the same time. To make your very own grill cleaning solution mix 8oz of water with the same quantity of white vinegar. Pour the solution into a spray bottle. This, along with a simple scouring pad (or our favorite the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) and sponge or cloth should be all you need to keep your grill shiny and new throughout the season.

Beer

If you have any leftover beer after a barbecue, don’t throw it away. Even just a little bit from the discarded bottles could help you to clean your grill. Soak a wire brush with the beer and use it to scrub the grill. On a warm grill, this should cut through grease and carbonized food with ease.

Baking soda

While we love white vinegar, the average home baking soda holds a special place in our hearts. This powerful cleaning agent is cheap, safe, natural, effective and it’s very easy to use. Start by sprinkling some baking soda onto your dirty grill. For the best results, do this when the grill is still warm. Then make a thick paste using baking soda and water. Apply the paste liberally to all the dirty surfaces of your grill, and scrub hard with a grill brush. If the accumulations are stubborn, try using some steel wool, scouring pads, aluminum foil or a magic eraser.

Coffee

Awe coffee, it’s the magical cup of what we at Maid in a Minute refer to as go go juice. There are several possible uses for coffee in the average home — other than drinking, of course. It might surprise you to learn that coffee is actually a very effective cleaning agent. And that’s because it is acidic. Add some water to old coffee grounds and give the mixture a good stir. Simply soak your barbecue utensils and removable parts in the mixture for one to two hours. After that, a quick wipe down with a cloth or a paper towel should be all that’s required.

Always fire up the grill after cleaning

Cleaning a grill takes a lot of effort — as well as a range of cleaning products. The last thing you want is for these products to linger the next time you cook. You can prevent this from happening by firing up your grill after cleaning it. The heat should burn off any chemical residues, so the flavor and aroma of your food won’t be affected.

Keep an eye on oil & fat

Cooking on a grill sometimes involves a lot of fat and grease. You should pay attention to these substances, otherwise cooking can become difficult — and perhaps dangerous. Scrape away fat and grease into a separate container every time you clean your grill. It’s vitally important that you don’t simply pour grease and fats down your sink. They’ll stick to the insides of your drainage pipes and eventually cause a blockage. Store fat in a dedicated metal container. When you’re ready to dispose of it, add cat litter to absorb any excess moisture and place it carefully in your trash.

Whoa not sure about you, but I’m getting hungry so I think I’ll fire up my grill for a burger. Hope you enjoyed the Grill Season Cleaning Edition: Minute Cleaning Hacks. If you are still unsure why not let us help. Maid in a Minute Residential and Commercial Cleaning Service has packages that work with your needs and budget. If you need a few more MINUTES in your day, let us take care of the cleaning for you! Visit our ONLINE BOOKING page to schedule your appointment now! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram & like us on Facebook!