This Might Be The Easiest Way To Clean A Grill
You probably already know how important it is to clean your grill every time you use it. Not only will you avoid ruining the flavors of your fresh filet with the charred remnants of last week's burgers, but you will also avoid ingesting chemicals that have been linked to a possible increased risk of cancer (via The Conversation). Plus, keeping your grill in tip top shape will help it run better and extend its lifetime (via Grill Docs).
Though, sometimes it's easier said than done with the stubborn grime. Luckily, there are some grill cleaning hacks that don't require a ton of elbow grease and hours of scrubbing. One of our new favorite tips comes from NBC News who recommends using some beer to help you clean. (And let's face it, you probably already have a bottle open as you get ready to grill any way).
Here's how to do it: Warm up your grill, then pour half of the beer bottle over the top of your grates. The beer actually works to break down the stuck-on oil and grease, which should come right off when you give it a scrub with a bristle brush — of course, while enjoying the rest of your beer.
Here are other simple cleaning hacks for your grill
If you're not keen on sacrificing beer to clean the grill, there are other cleaning hacks to make this task easier. NBC News also recommends a steam method: Fill a metal tin with water and set it on the warmed up grill to boil. Once it reaches this point, push the tin aside with a mitt and start scrubbing with a bristle brush — the steam will help loosen the grime. The article also suggests using plain household vinegar to make the cleaning job easier. Simply add a few capfuls to a spray bottle, saturate the grates, and then use balled up aluminum foil as a brush to loosen the caked-on remnants.
Lastly, you can also just use an onion to clean the grill. Cut it in half and spear it with a BBQ fork; then, use the cut-side to rub the grates of a warmed-up grill. You can add some salt for some extra abrasive scrubbing power, but the acid and water in the onion will help break down fat and act as a steam cleaner (via Smoking Meat Geeks). After, spray everything down with a solution of vinegar and water to wash away lingering onion pieces and give the grill an extra boost of clean so it's ready for next time.