How to clean your BBQ this summer: A complete guide

4 easy steps to a clean BBQ

Summer is here, bringing along countless BBQs with friends and family. After a day of enjoying the sun in the garden, scrubbing a filthy BBQ grill can feel like a daunting task. We're here to help with top tips to get those grills gleaming. 

Follow these simple steps to ensure your BBQ is spotless and ready for your next gathering. 

Step 1: Scrape off food residue

While the grill is still hot, scrape off the worst of the food residue. This is when the burnt-on food will be easiest to loosen. Use a sturdy grill scraper to remove as much debris as possible.

Step 2: Soak the grill

Once the grill has cooled enough, prepare a bowl of washing-up liquid and hot water. Place your grill in this solution and leave it to soak for 10-15 minutes. This will help soften any remaining residue, making it easier to clean.

Step 3: Scrub the grill

After soaking, scrub the grill thoroughly. Ideally, use a BBQ brush if you have one. You should find that most of the residue is gone, and the grill will start to look shiny and new again.

Step 4: Rinse and dry

Rinse the grill with clean water and dry it immediately to prevent rusting. Make sure all soap residue is removed to avoid any off-tastes during your next BBQ.

Cleaning large BBQs

But what if your BBQ is too big to be washed in the sink? Here's an alternative method to get your barbecue clean. 

Burn off residue

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) acknowledges that you can simply burn off the food residue until it is completely charred, killing off any harmful bacteria that may be present.

• Gas BBQs: Set your BBQ to the highest possible setting after you've cooked and heat the grill for at least 15 minutes. This will incinerate any leftover food particles.
• Charcoal BBQs: The best time to burn off any bacteria is the next time you light up the BBQ. Before you start cooking your next round of summer favourites, ensure that you have scraped off all burnt residue from the previous use.

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