Grill TLC
Tips and tools to help your BBQ station last for years
Few household appliances give as much pleasure as a backyard grill. And few receive such sporadic care in return. To help your grill survive season after season, you’ve got to give it the lovin’ it deserves.
Before the Party
Gather your tools. Having the right equipment within reach is the first step toward great grill care. If you’re pining for the deluxe tool set (the one with the two-foot-long fork featuring a built-in thermostat), go for it. But the essentials are quite simple and inexpensive. You’ll need:
- Sponges
- Dish soap
- Steel wool, both fine and coarse
- Tin foil
- A good scraping tool
Once you’ve assembled your arsenal, give it a good home. A tool or tackle box works well, as does a more rustic solution, like a zinc pail. Just be sure your tools are easily accessible—you might want to store them with your grill.
Stock up on fuel. You may have the world’s fanciest grilling station, but if you haven’t got enough fuel, it won’t do you much good. Always have an extra bag of charcoal or a back-up propane tank on hand. Neglecting this step can result in the ultimate backyard barbecue faux pas: ordering pizza.
Add some oil. Brush the grill’s grates with oil before cooking. This step minimizes sticking, and thus the post-grilling scraping. To avoid a fire hazard, be sure to add the oil before the grill heats up.
After Guests Head Home
A clean grill lasts longer, prevents unintended tastes in future meals and is critical for health safety. The most important cleaning comes shortly after cooking, when the debris and grease are still soft.
Let the grill start the job. Your grill is capable of some self-cleaning. Keep the lid on while the heat is high and you’ll burn off much of the residue. It’s easier with a gas grill—just crank up the flames. Even if you’re cooking with a charcoal or electric grill, as long as the heat is there, the result is the same.
Scrape it off. Remove food remnants and grease from the cooking grate before it becomes encrusted. All you need is a good brush. Be sure to match the brush to your grate surface type—plated steel, cast iron, porcelain-enamel. Not sure which kind to buy? Consult your owner’s manual.
Out of all your grill care tools, this might be the one to splurge on. That beauty with the rosewood handle and the removable scrubbies, for instance. For an economic alternative, go old school: A bit of steel wool or even some balled up tinfoil works wonders.
Wipe it down. With the grate clean, spilled marinades and splattered grease are your next target. This is the stuff that, if ignored, can leave a mark on that glossy finish. Once the grill has safely cooled, take a damp dishtowel or sponge and wipe both inner and outer surfaces.
Charcoal grillers: Remember to remove ash after every use. Ash restricts airflow and is corrosive when damp. Using a gas grill? Don’t forget to empty the drip pan underneath, as it will eventually overflow. And it’s a real cleaning challenge once oil soaks into the deck!
Intensive Grill Care
As you rack up flame-broiled masterpieces, your barbecue will start to show it. Baked-on grease and smoke residue may build up inside your grill. So periodically, you’ll want to do a deeper clean.
Clean from gentle to coarse. Surfaces like porcelain-enamel and stainless steel are prone to scratching. Begin with the least abrasive cleaning method. If stains resist, bring on the reinforcements.
Take care of most messes with dish soap and warm water on a sponge or rag
Work on what remains with gentle steel wool
Use baking soda mixed with a little water for the lingering tough spots
Cover that baby. Having a clean grill raises a controversial issue. To cover or not to cover? It’s tempting to show it off, but think twice. A good cover is the best protection against the elements: Rain, sleet, snow and that finish-dulling sun.
Read your manual. That pamphlet that comes with the grill? It’s not just kindling. Review your manual to learn the specific care requirements of your grill. You may hear that oven cleaner is a secret grill-cleaning weapon, but your manual will let you know if it’s a dud.
Replace old parts. Even if your efforts at grill TLC fall short or are too late, there’s still hope. One of the slick things about modern grills: replaceable parts. If a handle snaps or your bowl’s rusted through, contact the manufacturer or an authorized dealer for a replacement.
Follow these tips to develop your grill TLC regime, and a long, sizzling grill season is a sure thing.
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