How to Clean the Charcoal Grill

Charcoal grills do need some cleaning and maintenance to ensure that they function properly and cook your food efficiently. Let’s look at how to clean the charcoal grill.

And, this is the same whether it’s your grill or one that’s shared for use in a park. So, in this guide, you will learn how to clean the charcoal grill.

How to Clean a Charcoal Grill

It is an excellent tool to make mouth-watering meals throughout the summer season. This is if you own a charcoal grill.

However, based on your location, you can even decide to grill year-round. A charcoal grill can be perfect for a particular use at a neighborhood block party or probably any other particular event that requires delicious BBQ.

Nevertheless, you should be aware that it is quite essential that you clean your grill every so often.

This should be done if you intend on keeping your grill from having to experience wear over time.

In this guide, we will discuss in detail how to clean the charcoal grill.

The Top Ways to Clean a Charcoal Grill

Making the maintenance of your charcoal grill a part of your cooking process will prevent you from having to spend hours at a go cleaning your charcoal grill.

Preferably, you should include a good cleaning after every grilling session in your plan for preparing meat or veggies on a BBQ.

For the reduction of the requirement for extensive hardcore cleaning sessions, you will have to take the time to get rid of all the remnants from your grill grates, lid, and interior.

The Best Way to Clean a Charcoal Grill

You can make use of a DIY mixture of soap and water, although hardcore grill cleaning solutions on the market might save you a bit of time by breaking up burned-on foods.

Make sure you rinse your grill extensively with water if you make use of a grill cleaner. This will help get rid of any remaining chemicals.

Things You Will Also Need to Clean a Charcoal Grill

• Grill Brush (You can make use of any coarse or wire-bristle brush.
• Paper grocery bag
• Tub of water and dish soap
• Rag cloth
• And, aluminum foil.

How to Clean the Outside of a Charcoal Grill

Your grill will appear fresh and new when you scrub its outside, although much of the cleaning target is right inside of the grill.

As you know, outdoor grills are laid bare to dirt, dust, rain, and pollen. So, cleaning the outside of a charcoal grill is also important.

So, to clean the outside of your grill, you are to follow these steps:

• First, you are to get water, probably go for a hose as this will be convenient, then use it to rinse the cover of your charcoal grill.
• With the help of soapy water and a rag cloth, you are to scrub the outside, then proceed to rinse it again, as this will help get rid of any remaining soap.

How to Clean the Inside of a Charcoal Grill

Here’s the main deal. The inside of your charcoal grill is laid bare to a significant amount of heat, smoke, and food deposits.

And all these things build up with time. You might also be aware of what looks like cracks or peeling paint.

However, in most cases, these peels are just deposits of charred food and grease. So, in this guide, you will learn how to clean the inside of your charcoal grill.

To clean the inside of your charcoal grill, you need to follow these steps:

• First, you are to turn the lid upside down on the ground. Then, to retain more water inside the lid as you scrub, you are to close the vent.
• Afterward, either from a hose or your tub, you are to proceed to rinse the bowl extensively with water.
• Some people will allow the lid to soak so as to break down debris, but often you can decide to scrub it right away.
• Using your steel brush, you are to add soapy water to the lid, then proceed to scrub. And, you can decide to rinse, wash, and repeat this process several times.
• And, once you are sure that the lid is clean, you are to proceed to thoroughly rinse it. Allow the lid to air dry.
• Then, proceed to give it another last scrub using the steel brush. For safe disposal, you are to get a paper bag and make sure you empty the ashes into it.
• I would also suggest that before your next cookout, you are to light up the grill and allow it to burn off any remaining food or smoke deposits.

Cleaning Charcoal Grill Grates

Grill grates collect most of the food buildup, but they are also the most reachable part of the grill to clean.

You can make use of heat to break down the debris. Below will be how you can go about that:

• First, you are to light up the grill, then allow it to build to a high temperature. Let this go on for about 10 minutes.
• Get your steel brush, and use it to get rid of any burned food leftover residues. You can also make use of balled-up aluminum foil rather than a steel brush.
• Nevertheless, ensure that you are extremely careful and make use of a pair of tongs when you are scrubbing with aluminum foil.
• This will help prevent you from touching the hot grill grates. And, afterward, you are ready to cook.

How Often Should You Clean Your Charcoal Grill?

Now, I’m sure you have the basic knowledge and even have a better understanding of how to clean the charcoal grill.

Its rack and other components. However, that’s not the end. You still have to know how often you have to clean your charcoal grill.

Well, I would strongly suggest that the cleaning of your charcoal grill should be done at the start of the grilling season, every couple of weeks, or after every grill session.

You can also do the cleaning of your grill before you set it aside for the winter. You will be able to keep your grill in perfect condition and also lengthen its lifespan through regular maintenance.

Final Thoughts on How to Clean the Charcoal Grill

You can also clean the rust off your charcoal grill. And, you can also clean your grill grate by making use of natural cleaners.

• And, to do that, you will have to mix a 2-to-1 solution of white vinegar and water in a tub. Make sure it is big enough to hold your grates.
• Then, proceed to take out the grate from your grill. Afterward, place it in the mixture and allow it to soak for several hours.
• Or, you can probably leave it there overnight. And, with that being done, you can proceed to remove the grate from the solution.
• Then, wipe the rust away using a rag. Using water, you are to also rinse it, and then your grill will become fresh again.

Be sure to get rid of any small spots of rust on your grill grate as soon as possible. The combination of heat and oxidized metal can be quite hazardous.

So, with all that being said, this will be the wrap-up of this guide on “How to Clean the Charcoal Grill.”