Grilling is more complicated than you may think, especially if you’re just starting out. If you take care of your grill and have the right products, you are all set to cook delicious meals for your friends and family. Here is a list of our favorite tips to keep a clean grill.
Preparing your grill
Starting with a clean surface, you need to properly clean the grates. Identify what type of grill you have so you know what type of brush to use to clean. One easy solution is removing the grates from the grill and using a mixture of baking soda, dish soap, and water. After soaking the grates for 30 minutes, you can use either a stiff bristled steel brush or a nylon brush. Stiff bristled brushes are recommended for steel or cast-iron grates, while nylon brushes are recommended for porcelain-coated cast iron.
While soaking the grates, clean the inside of the grill. Using a wet-dry vacuum is an easy way to suck up the ashes. For the drip pan, scrub away the loose debris with soapy water and a sponge or scrub brush. Next, clean the chimney cap with a scrub brush. Lastly, wipe down everything with a damp cloth.
Oiling the grates lightly before you grill will prevent meats from sticking. Canola, vegetable, or olive oils will all work when applied using a paper towel or a brush. After oiling, preheat your grill. This will give you satisfying grill marks on your food.
The Main Course: Grilling Your Food
Maintaining the temperature of your grill is crucial for cooking your food properly. This keeps heat circulation to evenly cook each item on your grill. If you are looking to grill different foods at different temperatures, you can create heat zones.
After Grilling
When you are done grilling, make sure to close the vents and let the charcoals and/or grates cool. After the grill is completely cooled, you can clean the interior of the grill by wiping it down and cleaning the grates. Make sure to clean the exterior of the grill as well to prevent the buildup of dirt and other debris from the outdoors.
Grilling products
Now that you have all the cleaning and preparation tips, it is time for the grilling product essentials! Keeping these items in a designated area in your kitchen or pantry in a bin makes it easy to grab the items and take them outside. Here are some of our Amazon grilling finds:
- Meat thermometer
- Grill prep and serve trays
- Metal skewers
- Grilling accessories
- BBQ fireproof gloves
- Outdoor grill lights
- Nesting grill baskets
It’s time to get grilling! This is the perfect way to kick off spring with your friends and family. Plus, you get to impress them with your recipes.
