Clean the BBQ: 5 tips
1. Avoid burnt dishes
Before you start barbecuing, always grease the barbecue rack with sunflower or olive oil. This way, the meat or vegetables don't stick to the rack and burn. Another trick to maintain the grill rack is to rub it with lemon juice. Simply cut a lemon in half and distribute the lemon over the grill rack while you grill. This prevents the fat of the meat from sticking to the rack. It saves you a lot of time when you clean your BBQ.
2. Don't wait until the next day
Because you won't be happy. Food residue, grease and other grit has hardened and is stuck on the grill rack. There are various cleaning products that help you clean your BBQ rack. Make sure the rack is still a little warm. This way, you can easily remove food residue with a wire brush. When the rack is clean, we recommend greasing it with vegetable oil. This way, the rack will rust less quickly.
Clean cast iron rack
Do you have a cast iron rack? Only clean this with hot water and a brush. Dry the rack well and put it in a 150°C oven for 2 minutes. Then grease the rack with vegetable oil and it's ready for use. Is your barbecue rack about to fall apart, and is it full of rust spots? If so, a new rack is a better option.
3. Don't forget the barbecue itself
To prevent rust and flaking of the ceramics, we also recommend to clean the exterior after every barbecue session. Don't use aggressive cleaners, but only products that degrease and aren't harmful to the material. Don't use scouring pads. It's better to use a soft cloth, so the material of your barbecue stays shiny. Protect your barbecue with a BBQ cover, so it still shines the next season.
4. Special tip for a charcoal barbecue
After barbecuing, remove all food rests and ash from the charcoal barbecue bowl. If you don't do this, you'll have smoke development during the next barbecue session. Clean the bowl with warm water, some dish soap, and a cloth. If necessary, scrape away any food rests with a little bit of steel wool.
5. Special tip for a gas or electric barbecue
It's a bit easier to clean a gas or electric barbecue. First, remove the largest leftovers from the rack and then close the lid. Set the barbecue to the highest setting and wait about 15 minutes. You then easily brush off the burned food rests. When you clean an electric barbecue, make sure you unplug the appliance before you start using water.
