Grill Clean

The grill is one of the most used cooking appliances of the summer. As the season is more or less winding down, it's time to start scrubbing off all that char and grease if you haven't already. Give  it that sparkling pre season look after being used so much.

The first question home grillers ask is what kind of cleaning solution should I use. You could go natural or pre made sprays.That's up to you, and just how messy your grill is. Many people swear by vinegar which does an excellent job of stripping the bars of any charred orts and baked on grease.It also doesn't leave behind any harmful residue that can can get on your food and make you and your family sick. The best vinegar to use is either white or distilled vinegar or the apple cider one. Mix one cup of water to one cup of vinegar and pour into a spray bottle. Some home chefs prefer using just lemon juice. It can be combined with everyday salt (use Morton's  not the expensive sea salt) to create a cleansing scrub. Combine one tablespoon of salt with the juice of two lemons and then rub over the grate. Wash off with a wet rag.If your grill needs some serious cleaning then go with a spray or solution, Some of the better ones are Goo Gone which thoroughly cleans grates along with Weiman barbecue grill cleaner. This one cones with a reusable scrub pad and handler.

How do you clean a grill?  First of all, make sure that all the dials are shut off. You don't want to accidentally set yourself on fire, especially if you're cleaning with a manufactured solution or ammonia. Also turn off and disconnect the propane tank. Loosely cover the heating elements with a big piece of tin foil. Use a grill brush to scrub the insides walls above the elements and then remove the grill pan and empty out any residual grease into the trash. Drop the pan into a bucket of soapy water and let it soak.It's now time to clean the grate and rinse off the drip pan. Lean them against  the garage or fence and scrub them clean. Thoroughly rinse off with the hose. Now it's time to clean the elements. Toss the foil and scrub them with the brush. If your grill has a cabinet, open it and using a whisk brush, sweep  out any leaves or debris. Grab a few stainless steel wipes (these can be bought at your local supermarket), clean the grill's exterior and cabinet's interior.You can put the grill cover on to protect it from any atmospheric dirt.

As the barbecue season winds down, give your grill a thoroughly needed wash. It has been through a lot of cooking and mess. Let it shine with a good cleaning.