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June 6th, 2023 by
Barbecues are an essential part of our British summer, a time when we can get together with friends and family and make the most of the sunny weather with good company and great food. However, just like our ovens, BBQs and their grills can be a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria, so they need to be cleaned carefully, however, it is also important to take care to use the right products so you do not run the risk of contaminating food or damaging your grill. In this blog, we will walk you through the steps that you need to take to clean and protect your BBQ grill so that you can use it safely time and time again.
The Importance of Cleaning Your Grill
While it may seem obvious, that cleaning your grill is important to ensure it remains hygienic however it goes even further. Taking proper care of your grill is not only beneficial to you but also for your barbecue too in order to help it maintain its performance, extend its lifespan and of course, as mentioned ensure a hygienic cooking environment for further cookouts. Here are some reasons why proper maintenance is essential to your BBQ:
Hygiene
Starting with the most obvious, cleaning your BBQ ensure you are creating a hygienic place to cook and prepare your food. Cooking your food on a dirty BBQ can risk contaminating your food, which can lead to illness or food poisoning. Regular cleaning will also reduce the risk of mould, bacteria and other pathogens from building up on your grill.
Safety
Directly after hygiene comes safety, not cleaning your BBQ correctly can lead to a build-up of grease, oil and food particles that can pose a fire hazard since these contaminants can cause flare-ups which pose a risk to yourself, those around you and your surroundings.
Rust Prevention
BBQs can be an expensive investment, so it makes sense that you would want it to last as long as possible while still looking its best. BBQs can often be exposed to outdoor elements, even with covers or when placed in the shed for storage, this exposure to more moisture can result in rust forming, however, taking the time to regularly clean BBQs can prevent rust forming which will not only keep it looking great but will prevent corrosion and further damage that can only be resolved by completely replacing your grill.
Maintains Performance
Plain and simple a clean BBQ operate more efficiently than one that is covered in dirt and grime. As a clean grill will cook more evenly since the heat distribution will not be hindered by the presence of grease or food particles.
Taste and flavour
Finally, failing to take care of your grill can lead to cross-contamination that can alter the taste and flavour of your food, residual grease or old food stuck to the grill may add unwanted flavours to your food.
Clean Your BBQ Regularly
As you can see the importance of cleaning your BBQ goes beyond hygiene and appearance it can greatly affect your grill which is why even if it can seem like a big task, it is important to clean your grill after each use, also take time to check the state of your grill during periods of storage and be sure to clean it if it looks like it needs it.
Wash the grill with hot water and soap or detergent, then rinse well with warm water. Use a grill brush with stiff bristles to scrub the grill and vents thoroughly. Scrub both sides of the grill to remove any charred debris and grease. When it comes to cleaning the exterior surfaces of your BBQ use a mild detergent, try to avoid using anything too abrasive such as bleach, and use a soft bristle or non-abrasive sponge to avoid damage or scratching, use a microfiber cloth of soft towels to dry in order to avoid watermarks or soap streaks. while being careful to use soft bristle brushes on paintwork to prevent scratching.
For stubborn residue in the bottom of the BBQ, you can use a grill scraper or a ball of aluminium foil, before following up with your detergent. If you have a gas barbecue, turn off all burners before washing so that no sparks are created during the cleaning and take time to inspect each burner for any blockages you can use a wired brush or a toothbrush to clean the burner ports and remove any debris.
Deep Clean Your BBQ Once Per Season
At the end of the busy season, we also recommend deep cleaning your BBQ before it goes back into storage, this will help to not only keep it clean but protect it from contaminants such as mould developing while not in use. In order to effectively deep clean your BBQ, we recommend the following steps:
Completely Remove racks and grates and use a BBQ cleaner to soak off any dirt that may have accumulated or been missed during regular cleaning, it will also help to remove any burnt-on grease or fat that is not easily removed with a normal detergent. These products usually require soaking your grills overnight in a bag while the solution gets to work before then being rinsed off with soapy water.
Thoroughly inspect and clean other removable components, such as flavouriser bars, heat deflectors, shelves and cooling racks. Leave these to soak in a mixture of mild detergent and warm water before scrubbing them with a soft bristle brush to remove any dirt.
If you have a charcoal BBQ, then you may want to also allow the grill bottom to soak using a mild soapy detergent, this will break down and stubbornly bake on charcoal or grease, be sure to remove all moisture and dry thoroughly once finished soaking.
Store BBQ Correctly When Not in Use
Once you have thoroughly cleaned your BBQ and all the parts it is time to store it away over the colder months. Ideally, they should be stored indoors in sheds or garages to offer better protection however if this is not possible then it is recommended to invest in a robust water-proof covering that will keep out moisture that can lead to mould or rust forming and while we know it may be tempting to think out of sight out of mind, take time to periodically check on your BBQ every couple of months to ensure there are no leaks and to clean away any dirt that may have formed, this will make it easier to get your grill ready again when the warmer weather comes around but will also help to keep harmful bacteria at bay too.
We hope this blog was helpful in providing tips on how best to clean your BBQ and the importance it holds to keeping you, your family and your friends safe while also making sure your food still tastes fantastic and your grill works its best year after year.
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