Cleaning Tips for Barbecue Grills
Foods cooked on a barbecue grill have lots of flavor and a minimal amount of residual fat because the fat burns away. For the cook who cleans the grill, the barbecue grill can turn into a cleaning challenge. Here are some tips for keeping the barbecue grill attractive, functioning and sanitary.
Pre-Cleaning Safety Tips
Before you clean your barbecue grill, do the following. If your grill is a charcoal grill, do not attempt to clean it until burnt charcoal fire has been extinguished. Only then should you disposed of any remaining ash. Allow at least 48 hours of cooling before removing coals to a plastic bag, tying the bag and placing it in a garbage container.
If your barbecue grill is a gas grill, disconnect the gas according to manufacturer's instructions before you clean it. To ensure safety when you reconnect the gas, make sure the control knobs are secure in the 'off' position and that the cylinder valve is in the off position as well. Leave the lid in its open position for several minutes before cleaning the grill.
Clean the Hood
Before the first use of the grill, clean the hood on the inside with water and soap. This will enable easier cleaning after subsequent usage. Occasionally as needed, clean the inside of the hood by washing it with a mild detergent or biodegradable degreaser and water and wipe it dry with a soft cloth or paper towels.
