
Nobody particularly enjoys the time-consuming task of cleaning out the grill – we certainly don’t! With so many nooks and crannies to your gas BBQ or griddle, it can be a big task just knowing where to start and how best to tackle the job. Why not take a look at some of our tips to help you get started and get your grill Spring-ready?
1. Burn off the grease first
Whack the heat up for roughly 15 minutes until there’s little to no smoke, then let everything thoroughly cool off. This a great way to get rid of residual grease and destroy any burnt-on food morsels. Just do a double-check before you incinerate anything valuable! If it’s cold outside when you’re doing this, you’ll likely find it easier to use propane over butane, thanks to its higher pressure and much lower boiling point.
2. Check for uneven flames
Whilst you’ve got the gas running and before you shut it off, take a look at your burners. If any of the flames seem lopsided or weaker than they should be, it’s worth giving that some attention once you start cleaning. Be advised that you should ONLY disconnect your burners to clean them if you’re certain you know what you’re doing. Failing to reconnect them properly could be hazardous. If you are removing them, push a pipe cleaner through the ports to loosen any debris and tap the burners on a hard surface. The next time you fire it up you can check to see if it’s worked.
3. Disconnect the gas before cleaning
It seems simple but we can’t stress this enough. When you’re sure the tank is tightly closed off, disconnect the pipes and store your tank somewhere sheltered and safe from wandering hands. If in doubt, put your ear close to the tap and listen for any hissing sounds.
4. Use a dishwasher
Not everything has to be done by hand here. If you’ve got a dishwasher with enough space for hot plates and the like, why not stick them in there with any tools or utensils? It’s more water efficient, and you can tackle the bigger jobs at the same time. Make sure you’re adding something to cut through the grease.
5. Give it a good soak
There are specialised BBQ grate cleaners that you can buy for the job, but as with so many things, a bucket of warm, soapy water will work just fine. Soak the grates for several minutes to soften up any stubborn bits before you brush them off. Avoid harsh chemicals like oven cleaners, and don’t use rough materials like steel wool – both of these can harm the finish and protective linings of your BBQ.
6. Invest in a good cover
A great vinyl cover will work wonders for protecting your grill from insects, rust and weather. If you can keep it under shelter or inside a shed or outhouse then even better. A good BBQ protected from the elements will serve you well year after year.
Tasty Trotter is a well-established brand that offer a broad range of catering equipment ideal for hog roasts, BBQ’s, weddings, parties or other events where people need feeding!