Start with the grill
Remove the grill and hotplate and give them a spray with a BBQ degreaser. Leave for the recommended period then wipe off. Baked on food residue can be scrubbed off with a scourer. Finish off with a wash using warm soapy water then rinse. Don’t use heavy duty oven cleaner for your BBQ. The caustic chemicals can leave residue on the cooking surface.
Clean the drip tray
To prevent grease fires from starting and spoiling the taste of your food, you’ll need to clean the grease drip tray. Pull it out from under your barbecue, throw out any absorbent material on it and give the tray a quick wash with soapy water. Spread aluminium foil over the tray and spread new grease absorber over it. Kitty litter is a great budget option instead of specialist products.
Wash the body
To clean the main body, just use warm soapy water and a bit of elbow grease. Avoid using harsh scourers, especially on stainless steel as it can damage the surface and makes it rough, so it’s more likely to attract more grease over time. Finish with a wipe over to polish the surface, using a specialist stainless steel polisher if needed. Don’t be tempted to use a pressure washer to make short work of it. Apart from getting fat and grease all over your yard, which attracts ants, you can also force it into the gas jets, impeding their performance.
This article originally appeared on Better Homes and Gardens.
