Please Clean the Gas Grill
A few weeks ago I was at my 2 year old nephew’s family BBQ / birthday party. Since my son-in-law was working later than he hoped, I took up the grill. A 5 + 1 gas grill is not a problem for an experienced veteran like me: the gas is open, the burners are on, the switch is pressed. Lit.
Instead of the usual warm-up, I got a fat fire.
It turns out that this grate has not been cleaned for a long time. Perhaps someday . I had to make many decisions in a very short amount of time to fend off the disaster, and luckily the only damage was done to the grill itself – and to the small amount of siding that now resembles lasagna noodles.
All of this could be prevented with regular cleaning and, in the worst case, a fire extinguisher. If you have a grill, you will need a fire extinguisher. Have two grills? Good news, they come in packs of two! The safety of yourself and your loved ones is worth more than the $ 50 you spent.
How to clean a gas grill
Whether you’re a new grill owner in need of a tutorial or an old pro putting it off, today is a great day to get started cleaning. Take a look at my gas grill, which hasn’t been cleaned since late April. (I like to clean the mine when the tank level is low, about once a month in the summer).
Burn excess
Start with moxibustion to relax. Those crunchy nuggets on the wire rack may be the only thing your food touches, but there are many more at the bottom and will come off better when heated. WARNING: If your grill is horrible, horribly splattered with grease, and the pan is full, do not turn it on . Proceed to the steps for cleaning the sump and tub below, and then come back here. Set all cooking zones to a high setting, close the lid and let sit for an hour. During this time, collect your mise-en-scène : gloves, spatulas, trash bags, and a newspaper or flattened cardboard box. Scrape off the grate as best you can with a brush of your choice and kill the heat. Part one is done.
When the grates are cool enough to be used with heat shields or gloves, remove them as well as any internal parts (such as these triangular grates) and place them on a comfortable flattened piece of cardboard.
Clean the drip tray and tub.
Pull out the pallet and use a spatula to scrape whatever you can directly into the trash. If the pan is covered in grease, be sure to peel it! I don’t like using chemicals here other than dishwashing liquid, but if you’re using a solvent or grease remover , be sure to wash and dry the pan thoroughly before inserting it into the grill.
Next: bath (where the burners are). Now that you’ve cleaned your pallet to a gorgeous shine, we’re going to get it dirty again. The drain hole from the tub to the sump can get clogged, so it’s best to clean what’s in the sump first before trying to pour more debris through such a small hole. Take your trusty knife and collect any loose dirt in a pallet, empty it and replace the pallet, grates and internal components if necessary, and that’s it. This is a very short and incredibly pleasant process and will lead to better heat distribution over your hob .
Yes, and if you are thinking of buying a grill for Father’s Day, Independence Day, or throwing a barbecue to celebrate the opportunity to see your friends again: Please pick up a fire extinguisher first (and hope your family never has to thank you for saving them from the fire).