Tips for Maintaining and Cleaning Your Barbecue

Ready for a good family barbecue? We all already miss those outside lunches that extend through the sunny afternoon and the nights with the sardine on the bread!

At In&Out Cooking, we have a wide range ofcharcoal, gas, electric, and hybrid barbecues at your disposal, of the best quality, so you can cook the best grills of your life! Not sure which is the best option for you? We help you here.

However, to take advantage of the maximum potential of the equipment and it has higher durability, it is necessary to maintain regular cleaning and maintenance throughout the uses. Thus, here, we will give you some tips on this topic.

Regularity

Although it is not necessary to do a thorough cleaning after each use of the grill, it is important to always clean the areas used, for example, the grills. However, at the beginning and end of each “grilling season” it is advisable to do a more thorough cleaning, since the equipment has been (or will be) stopped for a long time.

If you use the barbecue throughout the year regularly, it is advisable to do a thorough cleaning once or twice a year.

Necessary Materials

First of all, it is important to have all the necessary materials for cleaning your barbecue:

• Heat resistant gloves
• Cleaning brush
• Scraper
• Carving fork
• Lint-free cloth (preferably microfiber)
• Warm water
• Metal bucket
• Soft sponge
• Dishwashing detergent
• Baking soda, vinegar, onion

All materials may not be necessary, depending on the type of barbecue, the dirtiness and the type of cleaning you want to do (deep or regular).

Avoid using other strong and corrosive cleaning products (especially if the grill is stainless steel) unless they are specific for cleaning barbecues. However, always do a test in a smaller area before using it in all the equipment.

General Tips

• Always keep the barbecue's instruction manual, because it may contain important and specific information regarding the cleaning method you should follow.
• Choose a more cloudy day for this task, as too much sun can create spots on the grill.
• It is preferable to choose to clean your barbecue in an outdoor space, as it can dirty the surroundings.
• Start cleaning your barbecue right after use, when it is still warm, as this prevents the remains of food and fat from drying and becoming more difficult to remove. To do this, you must protect your hands with heat-resistant gloves.
• If the grates are very dirty and it is possible to remove them from the grill, immerse them in warm, soapy water for a few minutes before rubbing. If it doesn't work, put in baking soda, let it act for 3 minutes, then spray vinegar, let it act for 5 minutes and only then rub. By cleaning the grids at the end of each use, you avoid having to use these methods.
• Another way to clean the grids is to skew half an onion in a carving fork and rub the grill, still hot, before washing it with soap and water. The water in the onion evaporates and cleans the grill, removing impurities and fats, since this vegetable has natural antibacterial properties.
• After cleaning the grills, apply vegetable oil to prevent rust (if it is not stainless steel) from appearing and the food to get caught.
• Clean the outside of the barbecue with a damp cloth and then clean it with a dry one (if the dirt remains, wipe with a soft cloth or sponge with warm water and detergent).

Charcoal Barbecues

Electric Barbecues

Gas Barbecues

Storage

Keep in mind that, keeping the barbecue clean, not only ensures your health (avoiding contamination in your food), but it is also safer (preventing fires), prevents infestations, makes it more attractive, and extends its useful life.

Also take a look at our articles “Accessories that will make Grilling Easier” and “The best herbs and spices for your grills” and enjoy this time of year, rich in unforgettable moments spent around the table, with those you love the most.
The outdoor experience!