Summer is just around the corner which can only mean one thing – it is time to get the barbecues out and start cooking.
While many Brits heat up the barbecue as soon as the sun comes out, it can be a hassle to clean it afterwards.
However, one expert has come to the rescue. Mike Boumphrey, a barbecue expert at Gates Garden Centre has shared how to get it looking brand new – even after you’ve used it.
1. Check over your barbecue
If you’ve had your barbecue for a few years, then you would have got plenty of use out of it.
And if you have a gas barbecue, then you might want to do regular yearly checks.
“Always check the propane tube for leaks after the winter,” says Boumphrey.
“Also, replace your gas tank or charcoal, or install new batteries if your barbecue has them and it is necessary. Charcoal that has been stored in a shed or outbuilding may have got damp and could be difficult to light – it’s always best to check this long before that barbecue dinner party!”
2. Cleaning equipment
We know how much of a hassle it can be to clean the grill of a barbecue with food sometimes getting stuck. However, the cleaning expert said you don’t need many cleaning products to get the job done.
Get yourself a bucket of water, a clean cloth, a scourer and a microfibre cloth. The barbecue expert said: “We would recommend barbecue brushes with stainless steel bristles as being best for cleaning grates, an external barbecue cleaning spray and a food-safe barbecue grate cleaning spray. These can be bought quite often in sets.
“Cleaning your barbecue is important because a dirty grill can be a haven for bacteria and dirt. Debris can also hinder the barbecue’s performance, and shorten its lifespan.”
3. Start inside out
It turns out there is a method to getting your barbecue looking clean again – by starting from the inside. This is because the interior can gather “dirt and grease” when you’re cleaning the item.
Boumphrey advised: “Begin by firing up your barbecue and carbonising any burnt-on food and grease. This is done by letting it heat through on full flame with the lid down for about 15 minutes and then allowing the barbecue to cool.
“Next, remove any deep grease and grime from the bowl or cookbox. Use a plastic tool or cloth for this to avoid damaging the finish.
“Then, spray your grate cleaner over the interior of the barbecue, and leave it to soak in. Wipe over the surface with the soft cloth or sponge, and use a different soft damp cloth to wipe away the residue.”
spik and span
4. Inspect the burners
Make sure to keep the burners “free from dirt” as it can prevent the gas from burning properly.
“Scrub the holes on the top of the burners to remove any blockages using a barbecue brush. Then focus on the insect screens, which are sometimes called air shutters, on the end of each burner, underneath the control knobs. Use a soft bristle brush to clean them off,” Boumphrey suggested.
5. Clean the grates
This is a job that we try to put off for as long as possible. However, you could face health problems if you decide to forgo cleaning the grill. Not only can you get ill from the old food and dirt left on it but it can also “impart acrid flavours to your food”.
The pro advised: “Firstly, scrub up and down the bars with a barbecue brush, working in sections. Then finish by bathing the grates with a grate cleaner for 30 seconds, to help to break down any remaining dirt or grease. Work into the grate with a scouring sponge until you are happy with the result and wipe down with a damp soft cloth.”
6. Clean the outside
Finally, for the last of the cleaning process, make sure to clean the exterior of the barbecue.
“Return to your cleaner and cover the outside of the barbecue in the cleaning spray, then rinse with clean water before polishing off with a microfibre cloth to restore the gleam.”
The microfibre cloth should be doing all the hard work for you and will get your barbecue “shining” on the outside.
