Cleaning a BBQ grill might not sound like nearly as much fun as getting one dirty, but it needn’t be a terrible chore, either. There are many different types of cleaners that can be purchased in hardware and household stores, and some of these can be very effective, but also a bit expensive. They’re great if you have the kind of grill that needs to be kept spotless. However, chances are, you’ll get into the spirit of the grill, which is naturally a little greasy, and spotless isn’t your goal. In this case, there are some pretty simple but effective methods.
The grill brush can be a very useful tool to anyone engaged in the lifestyle of BBQing, and they are pretty effective. Most people recommend cleaning when the grill is hot, right after the meal while the coals are still smoldering a bit. Take care not to burn yourself, of course, but giving it a few good brushes while it’s still hot removes a lot of the residue quickly, and loosens up the rest so that it can be completed after the party is over.
There are other rather ingenious methods, and one of these is to use the kitchen oven to take care of things. Placing the grate in your indoor oven, and set to the self-cleaning cycle, and you’ll have a pretty spotless grill. A little bit of cleaning agent will also restore the shine. Another method is to wrap the grate in aluminum foil, and set the grill to high heat, burning off the residue so that it’s caught in the foil itself.
One of the most simple methods, which has a certain panache for old-school ingenuity is to clean it with an onion. Cut an onion in half and use it like a scrub brush. The natural juices of the onion are a great cleaning agent, and the texture is very abrasive, and effective. The good thing about grilling is that it is a very social activity, and there are lots of opinions about the best way to grill, as well as the best way to clean. Try some of these methods when the party is still there, and who knows what other methods your guests might recommend.