6 Commercial Break Grill Cleaning Tips
We’re all grillers here. Maybe you just bought your first tabletop grill or maybe you’ve been experimenting with an app-controlled Traeger for years. Whatever the case, we all have two things in common. First, we love getting busy with some charcoal. Second, we hate cleaning up afterward.
You don't have to spend hours scrubbing the grates every time you want to host a backyard BBQ or football tailgate party. We’ve put together a few tips to get that grill spotless—and you can do them during commercial breaks! Let’s get cleaning; here are bite-sized tips to help you love your grill the way it needs to be loved for optimal performance.
Contents:
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’Tis the season…
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Burn, baby, burn!
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30 steamy minutes…
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Kick some ash
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Basket o’ briquettes
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Think deep thoughts
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’Tis the season…
If you’re lucky enough to have a brand new grill, excellent! It’s the perfect opportunity to start fresh and season your grill grates to make life easier later. If you’ve had your grill a while, that's okay! You can still season the grates, but you’ll want to start with a clean surface. Use the tips below to prepare your old friend for the process.
To season your grill, you'll want to fill a spray bottle with a high-heat oil. Avoid olive oil, because it can get sticky. Instead, use an oil like avocado, sunflower, or canola.
Start with a cool grill. Spray the grates with your cooking oil, then wipe off the excess oil with a microfiber cloth or a paper towel. Then, simply turn the grill up to high heat. Cover your grill and “cook” the oil for about 30 minutes, or until the grates are a beautiful dark brown.
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Burn, baby, burn!
One of the easiest ways to clean your grill grates during a commercial break is just to burn that stuff off. It only takes a few minutes, but you’ve got to remember to do it right after you’re done cooking.
When the last burger hits the last belly, open your grill wide and turn the heat up high. It’ll take about 15 minutes to get all that excess crud off the grates of your baby, and you can just brush the rest off with your wire brush, a nylon accessory (for porcelain grates), or a gentle wood alternative like our Juniper BBQ Scraper.
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30 steamy minutes…
Did you know you can actually steam clean your grill for a hands-off, super simple grill cleaning experience? Yep, and your grill will thank you for it the next time you fire it up.
All you’ll need is some water and a metal tin or heat-resistant container. A coffee tin works great, just make sure you remove the label! After cooking your BBQ feast, turn the heat up high, then turn off the heat. Fill your container with water, place in the grill, shut the lid and walk away. By halftime, your grill will just need to be wiped clean with a soft cloth or sponge.
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Kick some ash
Clean grates are great, but you’ve gotta take a holistic approach to grill cleaning. Kick Ash Cans make grill cleaning a breeze. Be proactive and slip one of these puppies into your grill before the party gets started. When it’s time to send your guests home, just lift it back out and dispose of the cooled ashes safely and with no mess.
Kick Ash Basket has an Ash Can to fit just about any grill. If you need help choosing the right can, feel free to reach out to us via our contact page or give us a call at 920-967-3306.
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Basket o’ briquettes
Kick Ash Baskets are our pride and joy. Custom fit to your grill, they not only help you regulate your grill’s temperature and increase efficiency, they also help keep your grill clean. Each time you grill, just lift the basket out, shake that ash, and voila! Your charcoal and your ash are no longer one messy pile—keep what you need and toss what you don’t.
It takes less time to use your Kick Ash Basket than it does to watch one of those insurance commercials; and it’s much more satisfying. Shop by grill on our online store to find the Basket that was born to keep your grill shining.
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Think deep thoughts
Quick, “commercial break” grill cleaning is a fantastic way to keep your grill ready to fire up at a moment’s notice; but if you frequently cook out, you need to consider the occasional deep clean.
Depending on whether you've got a charcoal grill or a gas grill, the steps may vary. If you need pointers for your specific model, head on over to the Kick Ash Crew and post your question. Our members-only community will get back to you with tried-and-true methods for grill cleaning.
Remember - if you use a gas grill, please disconnect the gas supply before you begin your deep cleaning.
No matter what type of grill you're working with, some steps will be the same. You can usually mix up a solution of about 15% dish soap to 85% warm or hot water. Spray down the empty cookbox and let sit for a few minutes. Then, using your Juniper BBQ Scraper, de-grease and de-grime your grill. Rinse with clean water—use common sense, but in some cases you can even use your garden hose.
If you're working with a gas grill, this is a good time to check that your igniters and connections are clean and in good shape.
Using the same soapy water solution, clean your drip pan, ash basket, ash can and any other accessories you have for your grill. Spray clean or rinse with clear water.
Finally, it’s time to make that grill shine. Work your magic and use polish or any other heat-safe compound on the exterior of your grill. Let all your components fully dry, then be sure to cover your grill to protect it!
Keep That Grill Spic and Span
“I love cleaning my grill,” said no one ever; but keeping your grill polished to a sparkle doesn't have to take too much of your time. With the right tools and just a few minutes after a cookout (or even during the next commercial break), you can have your grill ready-to-roll next time you’re ready to light it up.
Also, if you're looking for more ways to up your grill game, be sure to check out these tips to perfecting your at-home grilling game, prepared by our friends over at Porch.
Have any quick grill cleaning tips that we missed? Be sure to inform the Kick Ash Crew on Facebook, our members-only community full of exclusive deals, recipes, tips, and in-depth discussion. Find your crew today by joining the Kick Ash Crew.