A barbecue dinner with friends will be remembered for a long time. But if you do not clean your barbecue, then the steak cooked on it can also be "remembered".
When to clean your barbecue
Definitely regular. You should clean your grill grates after each use, taking care to remove all traces of grease. Heat the grates well to burn off any food leftovers and let the barbecue cool slightly. When it cools down a little, you will have to roll up your sleeves, since, I must admit, this is a dirty job.
How to clean your barbecue effectively
There are some tricks to make your job easier. You can rub a hot grill vigorously with a brass or steel brush and soapy water. If the grease sticks a lot, try a magic mixture of baking soda and vinegar.
If you cannot clean the grates right away (guests require you to be present), immerse them in hot soapy water and baking soda to soften the remaining grease. Also note that some of the grates are dishwasher safe, but check the BBQ manual before doing this.
If you have cooked several delicacies in small quantities and your grill is slightly dirty, you can choose an environmentally friendly method, which is to clean the grates with crumpled newspaper, which will also polish them to a shine.
Last but not least, dry the grates and the inside of the entire barbecue with a dry cloth to avoid rusting in the long run.
How to clean a gas or electric barbecue
With an electric or gas barbecue, the rule for cleaning after each use remains the same. Again, heat the grill to melt any remaining fat. Then remove burnt food pieces and solid fats that fall to the bottom of the special container. Be careful with gas burners. In order not to clog them, it is necessary to clean them according to the passport for the barbecue (heat well before cleaning).
How to clean accessories
When you clean your grates after each use, do the same for your cooking accessories. Tongs, paddles, forks … Don't forget anything. Soak all of these tools in soapy water before rubbing with a metal sponge. Remember to clean the handles. Dry accessories before storing them.