When you enjoy hosting outdoor gatherings in the summer, cooking on a clean grill is important. Grilling leaves behind food residue and grease that impact the taste of your food, keeps the grill from heating evenly, and could start a fire. To prevent these issues, use the following steps to clean your grill.

Gather the Equipment

Begin cleaning your grill by assembling the equipment you’ll need for the project. Gather your supplies, including a long-handled wire brush, a wire bottle brush, grease-cutting dish soap, long-cuffed rubber gloves, disposable scouring sponges, and several cotton rags.

Don’t use harsh chemicals to clean your grill, which could affect the flavor of your food. Instead, use warm water, a mild, grease-cutting dish soap, and a paste made from white vinegar and baking soda. If the exterior of the grill is stainless steel, purchase a stainless-steel cleaner.

Burn Off Excess Food to Clean Your Grill

For a gas grill, begin by heating the appliance to maximum temperature. Allow 30 minutes for the heat to loosen stuck-on food and grease before cleaning. Once it’s cooled, dip the wire brush into the warm, soapy water and scrub the grates.

Soak the Grates

After burning off food and grease particles, remove the grill grates and soak them in warm, soapy water for at least 30 minutes. Most homeowners soak the grates in the kitchen sink or a utility sink. If you don’t have a large enough sink, use the bathtub. Line the tub with a soft towel to protect it from the metal grates. While the grates are soaking, disassemble the remaining removable parts of your grill for easy cleaning.

Clean Your Grill’s Firebox

With the grill grates removed, you’ll have better access to the grill’s firebox. Use a plastic putty knife to scrape off stuck-on food, grease, and debris inside the firebox. Next, use a wet/dry vacuum to remove loose particles. Once the firebox is clean, rinse it with the garden hose.

Scrub the Grates

After your grates have soaked, remove them from the soap and water solution, and scrub them with the wire brush. Combine white vinegar and baking soda to make a paste for removing stubborn debris. Conclude by rinsing the grates and drying them with a soft cloth.

Clean the Rest of the Grill

After the main parts of the grill are clean, use fresh water and a little dish soap to wipe down the remaining components. As you do so, take time to inspect the hoses and connections for wear and tear that could lead to dangerous fuel leaks. Never operate a grill with loose or damaged hoses or connections.

Aztec Home Inspections offers inspection services to home buyers and sellers in Waynesboro, Harrisonburg, and surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule an appointment.