Cleaning Your Grill – The Easy Way
Properly cleaning grill grates is the best way to extend the life of your grill and ensure that your Big Green Egg or Louisiana Grill is ready to go whenever you have a plate of steaks that have been marinating in the fridge all day. The best way to maintain grates is to clean them after each use. A good scrub before and after cooking time will keep food from sticking.
Here are some of the best tips to keep your grates working well:
- Turn the grill – When you first turn on the grill, turn it up to a high heat temperature and let it get really hot for about 15 minutes. That will burn off any additional food or grease left over from the last grilling session to give you a nice clean slate for cooking.
- Find a high quality grate brush – Any strong handled brush with wire bristles and scraper with curved notches for getting on either side of the grate pieces will do. Grab a bucket of water and dip the brush in before scrubbing down all the carbon leftover from food being burned off. The steam will help lift some of the residue.
- Oil it up – Before cooking, keep food with sugary marinades, fatty meats, and vegetables from sticking. Instead of spraying it with an aerosol cooking spray (which is also a fire hazard), soak a paper towel in high heat oil like canola or peanut oil. Use tongs to grab the paper towel and swipe it up and down the grill for an even, non-stick coating.
- Keep the grill on after cooking – Don’t turn the burners off as soon as you pull the last chicken leg off the grill. Leaving sticky half-cooked food on the grill can make it messy for your next meal. Instead, turn the heat back up, set a timer for 5 -7 minutes, and let the remaining tidbits cook off. The residual carbon will be much easier to scrape off the next time you fire up your grill.
Food that’s been seared properly will release easily from a clean, hot grill with nice, even grill marks. Grilling cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore or hassle. Turn these simple steps into a regular habit for effortless grilling every time you have a hankering for barbecue or a good burger.