If you didn’t get your grill out for the summer yet because you’re dreading the monumental task of cleaning it, a few good BBQ cleaning hacks could make all the difference.

While all that residue that built up on your BBQ is a visible reminder of lots of fun evenings spent barbecuing with your family last summer, cleaning it is decidedly less enjoyable. But have you ever thought that there might be a better way of doing it than your current approach? And what is the most effective way to clean a BBQ, anyway? Check out these simple BBQ cleaning hacks to make quick work of this annoying task.

1. Get steamy!

Do you ever wish you could just fill up your grill with water, turn up the heat, and let everything caked onto it dissolve like you can with a pot on your stove? Well, steam is the next best thing. If you have a handheld steamer and you can get it close enough to your grill, you may be able to loosen up that top coating of grease and grime. You could also fill up an open metal container with boiling water, stick it inside your barbecue, and then close the lid to let it work its magic. This is one of the easiest BBQ cleaning hacks there is!

2. Baking soda saves the day… again

Baking soda is such an amazing multitasker, and it should come as no surprise that it can work wonders on your grill. Just sprinkle some directly on the dirty surfaces, and then use some water to form a paste with it. Then, scrub it off with a scouring sponge to reveal the cleaner surface underneath!

3. Tried-and-true vinegar

Another household cleaning all-star, vinegar, can help your BBQ look like new again, dissolving burnt food while giving the grill bars a gentle cleaning. Once your BBQ has cooled off, spray it with a mixture of two cups of vinegar mixed with two cups of water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes, then start scrubbing it clean. 

4. Get help from your dishwasher

It might not have occurred to you to use your dishwasher to tackle grill cleaning, but there are plenty of parts on many BBQs that you can pop right into the dishwasher. Grills, hot plates and smoker boxes could be dishwasher safe, so be sure to check the documentation that came with your BBQ to find out if you can use this time-saving hack! If there’s no mention of it in the manual, do a quick search on Google – but do know that cast iron is not recommended to go into the dishwasher, because it can rust.

5. Use an onion

Wondering how to clean your BBQ after use? If you’re grilling, you probably have some onions lying around, so this is one of the cheapest and most convenient BBQ cleaning hacks there is. Just cut an onion in half, stick a fork in it to serve as a handle, and then rub it across the bars of your grill after using it. Make sure you do this while the grill is still warm. The onion will release juices that turn into steam and have the power to dissolve stuck-on grime and grease. 

A quick warning

I do want to remind everyone that using a wire brush to clean your grill is not recommended. These brushes can leave small bits of sharp wire behind that can end up adhering to your food when you cook it, and you and your family could unwittingly consume it. I’ve read that a lot of people end up in the emergency room each year as these errant bristles can damage your mouth, throat, stomach and even intestines, so please think twice before using these brushes!

I hope this blog post will help you clean your barbecue quicker this summer!

Love,

Nakita xxx