The busy Summer season is nearly upon us, and it’s time to dust the cobwebs off those BBQ grills, and clean old bits of charred residue off the grill ready for its first use of the season.
We like to avoid using nasty chemicals on cooking utensils that touch the food we eat – so here are some natural cleaning solutions that you most likely already have in your pantry or under your kitchen sink.
1. A baking soda solution
Dampen the grill and sprinkle with baking soda till it’s covered.
This will need about 10 minutes to sit, before using the a scourer sponge soaked in warm water to scrub the grime away.
2. Soak with white vinegar
Simply soak the grill in a container of 3 parts white vinegar, 1 part water – and wipe it clean the next morning ready to be used.
For any remaining stubborn marks, spray neat vinegar directly on them, leave for a few minutes, and scrub off with a coarse cleaning brush or sponge.
3. Ketchup for removing rust
A most surprising solution – the acidity in store-bought ketchup actually helps to remove rust build up from a winter without use.
Simply cover any rusty areas with the ketchup, leave for a few minutes, and wipe off.
4. Lemon
A great way to season your grill before and after use – the acids in lemon juice do wonders to remove stuck bit of charred leftovers from the grill, and doubles as great seasoning for your meats and veggies! Simply slice a lemon in half, and (preferably when the grill is still slightly warm) brush the lemon up and down squeezing gently as you go to release the juices.
TOP TIP: The easiest way to remove dirt from the grill is soon after you’ve cooked with it. The fat and cooking juices won’t have fully cooled yet making it the easiest to clean at this point. Regular cleaning before and after every use makes for an easier job! (It goes without saying you should protect your hands if you’re going to clean the grill while it’s still hot!)
