With summer quickly approaching, is your stainless grill ready for another season of barbecue and backyard cookouts? We know cleaning the grill is not the fun part of grilling. Cleaning your grill is vital in ensuring your grill is in top working order, and your food tastes better.
If your grill is not heating up as usual, then it’s a sign it needs cleaning. Your grill is made up of stainless steel covered by a thin layer of chromium oxide. The build-up of dirt and grease on the coating will cause rust and develop cracks. Here are tips on how to clean stainless steel grills.
What you need:
- Water
- Bucket
- Long handle wire brush
- Elbow grease
- Stainless steel grill cleaner
- Scouring sponges
Burn the grill
Start cleaning your stainless steel grill by firing up the grill to full temperature while the hood is closed. Let the grill burn for 30 minutes to superficially burn grease and food stuck on. Turn off the heat and let the grill cool off completely.
Clean the grill
Once your grill has cooled off completely, remove all the grates and flavorizer bars and soak them in warm soapy water.
Strip down the grill by removing control knobs and grease trays, so it becomes easier to clean it.
Use a scouring sponge or a soft cloth with soapy water to wipe the surfaces of the stainless steel grill.
Follow the grain of the metal as you clean the grill. Rinse the grill with clean water and keep it dry with a soft towel.
Use a vacuum cleaner.
First, use a knife to scrape off the gunk from the grill. Put an empty bucket under the firebox to catch flushed-out debris. Use a wet or dry vacuum to flush out the gunk from the grill. After flashing out the gunk, rinse the grill with a garden hose.
Final touches on the grill
Use a stainless steel grill cleaner to add a final touch to your grill. Spray the cleaner on your grill, and after a few minutes, wipe it off with a dry cloth. Vinegar can also be used as a stainless steel cleaner as it is effective in cleaning stainless steel surfaces.
This is the best way to clean a stainless steel grill because stainless steel can withstand repeated cleaning, unlike other materials that can wear out.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Grill Grates
Stainless steel grill grates tolerate intense heat and are relatively resistant to rust. The best way to clean stainless steel BBQ grill grates is to clean them every time you are done using them.
Leaving burnt food debris on your grill grates will make the grill finish dull. Do not use harsh cleaners when cleaning grill grates. Here are the methods of cleaning steel grill grates.
Use of Vinegar
Vinegar will gently clean the grill rack and dissolve the burnt food. An aluminum foil is used to remove the debris without scratching the surface. To clean your grill grates with vinegar here are the steps to follow:
- Pour cups of vinegar into a spray bottle and add an equal amount of water on top.
- Cover the spray bottle with a lid and shake to mix the water and vinegar.
- Fold the aluminum foil into a two-inch square.
- Spray the vinegar/water solution on the stainless steel grill grates.
- Let the solution soak on the grill grates for ten minutes.
- Scrub the food debris off with the folded aluminum foil.
Burning Method
Cleaning grill grates by burning involves heating the grill to a high temperature so that the remaining food and grease are cooked off. Here are the steps for cleaning the grates through burning:
- Cover the grates with aluminum foil.
- Turn the grill to full temperature and close the lid.
- Turn off the flames and let it cool for fifteen minutes.
- Use a grill brush to scrape off burnt debris.
If you have a self-cleaning oven, you can use it to clean the grill grates. Be cautious because too much of this will discolor your stainless steel BBQ grill grates.
Soaking Method
Before using this method, make sure your grill is cool. Once your grill is cool, follow these steps:
- Fill a large bucket with hot water and a quarter cup of dish soap.
- Add baking soda and vinegar to the Bucket.
- Drop the stainless steel grades in the solution and let it soak overnight.
- The next day, rinse the grates with a garden hose.
Using a High-pressure hose
This is the quickest and simplest way of cleaning your grill grates. Here is what you need to do:
- Remove the stainless steel grill grates from the grill and place them against a wall.
- Use a high-pressure garden hose to remove the debris.
- Dry the grill grates before placing them back on the grill.
How to Clean the Inside of a Stainless Steel Grill
The inside of your grill should be clean for your grill to function correctly. The interior of your grill includes the lid, flavorizer bars, cook box, and burner tubes. Here is how to clean the inside of the grill:
Lid
Over time carbonized grease and smoke vapors will deposit on the inside of the lid. Clean the inside of the lid using a steel grill brush and a wet towel.
Flavorizer bars
Flavorizer bars are exposed to high heat and food debris. To clean the flavorizer bars, let your grill cool off first. Use a grill cleaner and a plastic scraper to clean the flavorizer bars.
Burner tubes
Built-up food and grease on the burner tubes will prevent your grill from lighting correctly. Use a bristle grill brush to clear out the built-up debris.
Cook box
Grease and food residue accumulates in the cook box. Use a plastic scraper to remove the burnt food residue from the cook box’s sides and bottom.
The built-up food and grease on your grill should not be taken lightly as it can cause grave danger to you and your family. Now that you know how to clean a stainless steel grill, you will enjoy healthy and smooth grilling for years to come.
