Barbecue cleaning: The ultimate guide
Barbecue season has arrived and we are so ready for sizzling sausages and burgers, chicken, prawns, halloumi and everything that comes with it.
But just because you’re barbecue ready, doesn’t mean your tools are! Get your barbecue ready for a summer of outdoor dining and entertaining with this handy guide.
A new survey from Oven Pride has found that one in five people (19.7% of us) don’t clean their BBQ after each use, and 23.5% simply scrape it instead of washing it properly.
Shockingly, 15% of us believe that the flames alone are enough to kill off bacteria. Even more worringly, 31% don’t check the internal temperature of meat, which could risk a foodborne illness.
Here we show you how best to clean your BBQ and debunk the BBQ cleaning myths to ensure you have a clean and healthy summer.
How to clean your BBQ
Keen to make it a less time-consuming task, the cleaning experts at Kärcher have shared their secret weapon for speeding up your cleaning time. The pressure washer!
The perfect tool for getting your patio or decking clean and sparkling, pressure washers come with a variety of settings to suit an array of cleaning tasks. Kärcher’s entire new range of pressure washers have smart technology – meaning users can control the pressure of the machine using their phone.
So, grab your pressure washer – it’s time to get barbecue cleaning!
1. Sweep away the debris
To start, remove the grill and carefully empty any left-over charcoal ash into a bin. If there’s still some remaining loose debris, then a Wet and Dry Vacuum will come in handy. Don’t have a Wet and Dry Vacuum? Simply use a dustpan and brush to sweep away any excess ash.
2. Wash, wash, and wash again
Set your pressure washer to a medium setting, and spray down your barbecue using a sweeping motion in order to remove ash and any unwanted dirt at the bottom. For mould and dirt that has built up over the winter months, turn up the pressure. Put the BBQ back together and give it a final rinse from the top down, ensuring water doesn’t get trapped in the bottom.
3. Go at the grill
Deal with the grill separately, starting with the pressure washer, before moving on to a steam cleaner (if you have one) to ensure no leftover bacteria. To get the grill sparkling, use a stainless steel cleaner – or make your own equivalent by filling a spray bottle with white vinegar and water in equal measures. Spray it all over the grill, wait for five minutes, and then wipe it off with a clean, dry cloth.
Ultimately, the best way to keep your grill in top condition is to make sure you’re properly caring for it throughout the summer. Each time you use the barbecue, give it a good coating in sunflower oil before you start cooking to prevent food from sticking to the surface. When you’ve finished cooking, poor half a bottle of beer onto the grill while it’s still warm. Then, give it a quick once-over scrub with a wire brush to ensure easier cleaning once your guests have left.
BBQ cleaning myths
But what should we be avoiding when cleaning our BBQs? Oven Pride’s new research has debunked BBQ cleaning myths so you can ensure you’re doing yours the right way.
Professor Christopher Elliott shares the BBQ cleaning ideas you need to avoid.
1. Onions don’t double as disinfectant
“They might smell nice and sizzle impressively on the grill, but an onion won’t shift baked-on grease. And it definitely won’t eliminate bacteria. You’ll simply be seasoning the problem, not solving it.”
2. Lemons belong in your drink – not your deep clean
Yes, lemon is acidic but it’s not powerful enough to cut through the greasy build up on your barbecue. Or kill the harmful bacteria that’s taken root there. A splash of citrus won’t scrub your BBQ.
3. Beer and coke for guests, not cleaning
Pouring sugary drinks on your BBQ won’t clean it, it will just create more sticky mess. The sugar will caramelise and attract pests such as wasps and ants, which is the last thing you need. It’s a recipe for a sticky, bug-filled disaster.
4. Flames help, but won’t do it all
Grills don’t heat evenly, there are cold spots and areas that the flames don’t reach. So, while high heat can burn off some of the residue, grease and bacteria will still be lurking in the cooler corners.
5. That authentic BBQ flavour, might just be burnt fat
What some call that special BBQ flavour is usually just charred carbon and rancid grease. It’s not smoky magic, more a potential health risk. Remember, hygiene first, then flavour later.
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