As Spring and Summer approach, it's time to get out and clean up the mess left from last year's grilling activities. But, it can be easy to forget some of the most important grilling parts: cleaning and maintenance.
Cleaning the Grill Grate
Startup the grill on high and begin by cleaning the grill grate. Your grate during the season sees the most action, and you should focus most of your cleaning attention on cleaning up the grate.
Tip: Every time your grill's fired up, let the grate heat up over high intense heat for about five minutes. Doing this burns away some of the foodstuffs that may be remaining, and using a grill brush and a little pressure will easily take care of the rest.
Also, buy a good grill brush with a long handle and firm bristles or scouring pad.
Oiling the Grate
Next, oiling your grill grate helps to keep your food from sticking to the grill. This is done by dipping a wadded paper towel into little oil, then using your BBQ tongs, move the oil evenly over the grill grate. Being causes not to use too much oil and avoid flare-ups—a little goes a long way.
Tip: Only oil the grate when necessary. If you are grilling something with a lot of oil or fat in it already, you may want to skip this step. If you're unsure, it's always best to oil the grate anyway.
Also, See.
- BBQ 101: Gas Barbecue Grills
- How to Make Your BBQ Grill Non-Stick Using a Potato
- BBQ 101: Cooking on Salt Blocks
- BBQ 101: Grilling The Perfect Char Dogs
- BBQ 101: Make your own Montreal Steak Seasoning
