Whether you’re firing up the grill for a summer barbecue or a quick weeknight dinner, keeping your grill clean impacts flavor is just as important as seasoning your food. Giving it a good clean a few times over the season not only extends your grill’s life — it also ensures better flavor, easier cleanups and a safer cooking surface. Here’s how to clean your grill the right way, plus a few pantry-friendly cleaning tricks from Slow Living Kitchen.
Step 1: Gather your supplies
You don’t need fancy gear to deep-clean your grill — just a few basics you likely already have:
-
Steel wool pads (soap-filled works great)
Natural pantry items like baking soda and vinegar-based solutions are great alternatives to commercial cleaners if you’re keeping things low-tox.
Step 2: Brush down the grates
Start by thoroughly brushing your grill using a wire grill brush. This helps knock off any lingering food debris and carbonized grease. If you do this while the grill is still a little warm (but not hot), it makes cleanup much easier.
Pro tip: Even if you grill less often, brushing it down after every session still saves time and prevents buildup from getting crusty. It’s like keeping your cast iron clean — routine maintenance is easier than a full scrub-down.
Step 3: Spray with cooking oil (when cool)
Once your grill is brushed and completely cool, lightly coat the grates with a bit of spray cooking oil. This helps prevent rust and keeps future food from sticking. Just make sure the grill is fully cool — spraying oil on a hot surface is a major fire hazard.
If you’re planning to store the grill for a while (like over winter), coat it and cover it for extra protection—just like you would for your preserved lemons or pantry gear.
Step 4: Scrub with baking soda and aluminum foil
To give your grill that like-new shine, sprinkle some baking soda onto a wet sponge or cleaning cloth and scrub down the grates, knobs and exterior. For tough spots, crumple up some aluminum foil and use it like a scrubber.
Baking soda works especially well for food residue without scratching surfaces — and it’s a go-to in a lot of pantry cleanups.
Step 5: Deep clean the grates
Your grates do the heavy lifting when it comes to flavor and heat, so they deserve some extra attention. After brushing off debris, soak it in warm, soapy water and then give it a scrub with a steel wool pad. For serious grime, let it sit for 10–15 minutes before rinsing and drying thoroughly.
Use this time to check for any stuck-on char or food bits, especially if you’re grilling sugary marinades or sticky glazes like the one from this honey-roasted carrots recipe.
The post You’re probably cleaning your grill wrong — here’s what actually works appeared first on .
