Spring Grill Cleaning Tips

Spring is nearly here, and soon the smell of neighbors grilling meals will fill the air whenever you go outside. Before you light your grill for the first time, these are some spring cleaning tips to not only make your grill look better, but keep you safe:

Check for Potential Leaks: If you use a gas grill, check hoses to make sure they are not brittle or damaged. If you find any damage they will need to be replaced. You can also check your propane tanks for leaks with a solution of soap and water.

Clean the Grates: Light the grill, close the lid and let it burn on high for 20 minutes. Turn it off and let it cool and then brush the grates with a grill brush. If brushing the grates, doesn’t get the job done, you can soak them in a large bucket of hot, soapy water. 

Make it Shine: Clean the exterior of your grill with a cloth and a mild dishwashing detergent, or baking soda mixed with water. You can also use a specialized spray grill cleaner. When complete, rinse the grill and dry it with a soft cloth.

Don’t Forget the Interior: Next you’ll want to clean the interior bottom of the grill. Push all the burnt food and grease to the receptacle at the bottom of the grill, and then empty and clean the tray. Brush any carbonized grease off of the interior of the lid with a grill brush, then wash with warm soapy water and rinse.

Who doesn’t love a good homemade sauce when grilling. Here is a quick and easy recipe for BBQ sauce:

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons light-brown sugar

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons paprika

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Whisk together all ingredients.