Weber, Napoleon or Char-Broil: the diversity of barbecues offers a wide choice to grilling aficionados.
But by dint of use, this precious material is threatened by rust, mold and soot.
To prevent your meat planks from going up in smoke, here are some maintenance tips.
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How to properly clean a charcoal barbecue?
Cleaning a charcoal grill is important to keep it usable and healthy.
After each cooking of meat or sardines, remember to wash the grill and empty the ashtray.
The frequency of cleaning the tank can be more spaced out, after five uses, for example.
Warning: degreasing will be more effective if you proceed when the temperature is adequate.
The grate should be hot and the ashtray cold when you are working on it.
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Brush the barbecue grate
To degrease the grid, a brass or stainless steel brush should be used.
It is best to pass the brush when the grill is still hot.
It can also be used to clean the outside and inside of the barbecue which are often covered with rust (only if the material is not enamelled).
After each use of the barbecue, consider hot oiling: cover the grill with cooking oil, close the lid and leave to cool.
You can also use a cleaner specifically designed for barbecue grills to scrub away stubborn soot.
Brush or spatula can be used to rub the fat stuck to the grid.
JeremyWhat / stock.adobe.com
Empty the coal ashes and wash the tank
The negative point of the charcoal barbecue is undoubtedly the thick ashes it leaves after combustion.
This is why it is imperative to empty the tank after each outbreak, once it has cooled down.
Charcoal ash can be toxic if cooking oil drips over it again.
The tank can be cleaned and maintained less often.
To do this, it must obviously be cold and emptied of ashes.
A sponge and dishwashing liquid can be enough to remove the grease.
Then, it is advisable to apply a product suitable for enamelled steel or stainless steel, depending on the material of your barbecue.
The operation ends with rinsing with clear water.
Read alsoEight barbecue cooking mistakes you should never make again
How do you clean a very dirty gas barbecue?
Gas barbecues can be made of stainless steel, enamelled steel or enamelled cast iron, three materials that resist rust.
gas barbecue grill
The grid of this type of barbecue, which is often very dirty, must be cleaned carefully to eliminate any risk of toxicity.
The brushing technique is the same as that used for the charcoal barbecue (see above), but you can opt for a baking soda bath (see below).
Certain chemicals can also be effective, but make sure that the rinse is optimal.
Degrease the burners
A gas barbecue contains burners, which it is important to wash thoroughly after use.
The best technique is to push the power of the barbecue to its maximum while keeping the lid closed, for 15 minutes.
Some gas barbecues, such as the Weber brand, have a “pyrolytic” mode which is dedicated to this form of heat cleaning.
Once the burners have cooled, remove the removable parts.
Wash them with hot water and soap or dishwashing liquid.
Once dried, the burners can be placed back on the barbecue.
As for the lid and the body of the barbecue, a simple soapy sponge may suffice, especially in the case of a cast iron or enamelled steel barbecue.
What should you clean an electric barbecue with?
The electric barbecue is in vogue, especially because it can be installed on an apartment balcony.
Despite its apparent practicality, this small device must be maintained with even more rigor than traditional barbecues.
Neglect of this work could impact the life expectancy of the device.
First of all, remember to disconnect the power supply from the barbecue.
In general, the grate of an electric barbecue can be removed from the assembly.
This allows you to brush it more easily, or even put it in the dishwasher, like that of the Krampouz barbecue.
Read alsoGas barbecue or gas plancha: what to choose for your grilling?
The aluminum recovery tray, if your barbecue contains one, must be emptied then washed with soap.
If you have a round bowl Weber electric barbecue, you can wipe off the dirt with a paper towel.
What natural products to clean your barbecue?
Cleaning a barbecue with chemicals comes with its own set of drawbacks.
Indeed, beyond their high price, some of these products may pose risks to your health and the environment.
Hence the interest in seeking natural solutions and other grandmother's recipes.
Baking soda
Another tip for cleaning your barbecue naturally: baking soda.
This ally of all household chores can be useful against stubborn grime.
To do this, simply moisten a sponge and soak it with baking soda.
Once the grill and the barbecue are cool, scrape off the grease stains then rinse with clear water.
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white vinegar
A non-toxic and non-polluting product, white vinegar is biodegradable.
There are two ways to use this natural cleanser.
First, you can soak a cloth or sponge in white vinegar and rub the cold grill.
Another option, if the grid is very dirty: immerse it in a basin filled with a mixture of water and white vinegar for about thirty minutes.
Water and white vinegar act on grease.
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Other natural recipes
Home techniques to degrease your barbecue are numerous and, most of the time, economical.
In addition to baking soda and white vinegar, many “BBQ” lovers share their tips and tricks.
Among these are:
onion
The lemon
Newsprint
black soap
Read alsoThe keys to a more eco-responsible barbecue this summer
Cleaning your barbecue with Kärcher: does it work?
Around the barbecue, watching the sparks that gild a few skewers, a guest expert in the matter informs you that you can wash the grill with Kärcher.
Should we believe it?
The operation seems a little disproportionate.
However, it is.
The Kärcher steam cleaner brand confirms this on its website: “
With the high-pressure cleaner, you will surely remove all food residues
”.
However, for greater safety, it is advisable to opt for the lower position, so as not to damage the grid.
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