Griller tactics
Experts explain to SAM WYLIE-HARRIS why it’s important to keep those barbecues gleaming
WITH sunshine, blue skies and a string of bank holidays on the calendar, summer brings lots of scope for planning barbecue parties.
When you’re prioritising sorting the essentials such as your propane or charcoal supply, not to mention those tasty marinades and stocking up on ingredients before they sell out, cleaning your barbecue might be the last thing on your mind.
How much does this really matter, though?
“Just like with everything else, it needs to be maintained so you’re able to use your grill time and time again,” says Dan Cooper, head grill master at Weber.
“If you don’t regularly clean your barbecue, you run the risk of exposing food to residue, dirt and grime, which could ultimately affect the taste and flavour of your cooking.”
To help you get to grips with the build-up of grease and grime, here are some guidelines... ■ If your barbecue hasn’t been used for a while, give it a thorough clean Dan says the first step is key.
“Heat your barbecue to the max for about 30 minutes – this will help to burn off most of the old grease and fat.
“Then, it’s essential to have the right tools for the next steps so you can clean the grate, internal components and exterior of the barbecue properly, to help keep your grill cooking and looking like new,” he continues.
“It helps to ensure high performance and barbecue safety.”
Weber has a wide range of utensils to make cleaning as hassle-free as possible, such as its Stainless
Steel Gas BBQ Cleaning Kit (£50.39) and Charcoal BBQ Cleaning Kit (£39.99). Angela Slater, resident expert at Hayes Garden World, who specialises in barbecues, says: “Cleaning the barbecue at regular intervals is essential, as a barbecue with a build-up of grease is dangerous to use and won’t last as long.”
She says removing all parts and scrubbing off the charred fat buildup with a wire brush, and then cleaning with a dedicated barbecue cleaner greatly extends the life of the parts – “and saves money on having to continually replace them”.
Eliminate dirt from the grates
“Make sure your barbecue is still hot, and then brush the cooking grates with a grill brush to remove leftover residue,” Dan advises.
“Next, use half a raw onion on the end of a barbecue fork to scrub the grates. This will pick up any grease left behind, as well as any small specks of dirt and carbon, due to its acidity.”
Once cool, clean the internal bits
Let it cool before the next step. “Put on rubber gloves and remove the grates and internal components,” says Dan.
“Then use a T-brush and scraper to clean everything, making sure all grease channels are clear, before placing them back.
“Don’t jet-wash or put components in the dishwasher, as this can cause some parts to rust,” he warns.
And if you’re looking for a quick cleaning fix in between grilling sessions, Laura Marsden, marketing manager for Marigold, recommends investing in a good quality scourer, such as the Marigold Scrub Away Heavy Duty Scourer (£1.19), specifically designed to remove burned-on food.
“It’s flexible, so great at bending round grills and getting into corners or hard-to-reach areas,” she says. “It’s also durable, lasting as long as five traditional spiral scourers.”
Buff it up
Once you’ve got the cleaning out of the way, it’s time to polish up.
“Use a microfibre cloth for buffing to give your barbecue the best shine possible,” says Dan.
“And that’s it – you’re now ready to grill and become a grill master this season. Enjoy!”