The only way you can maintain a stainless steel grill in the perfect condition for years is to make sure to clean them after every use. This way, you can continuously enjoy the benefits the grill offers.

We know how dreading the cleaning process could be. But, if you follow the tips below, you can throw all the hard work away and enjoy a shiny grill, always ready for the next use.

Create A Cleaning Paste

When it comes to cleaning a stainless steel grill, you must get the right tools and products. If you get a harsher chemical than what your grill can take, you might end up worsening the product’s condition.

So, if you want to be safe, you can go and create your own cleaning paste. The best thing about this is you’d get to save money because you’d only need two ingredients – baking soda and water. Here’s what you’re going to do:

  • Mix about ¼ cup of baking soda to a ¼ cup of warm water to create a paste.
  • Remove the grate from the grill for easier application.
  • Apply the cleaning paste on both sides of the grate and allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes.

The idea is that this paste will lift whatever is left on the grill, and it makes it easier for you to scrub later.

A great alternative to this DIY cleaning paste is an oven cleaner and leaving the cleaner on overnight. This is recommended for a dirtier grill or if the first method won’t work.

Scrub The Grates

Now that you’ve let the cleaning paste for 20 minutes (or overnight if you used an oven cleaner), you now need to scrub the grates. Since you’ve already applied a cleaning paste or oven cleaner, any residue left should come off quickly.

When choosing a brush, it’s best to choose one designed for stainless steel grills. It’s highly recommended to use brass, wire, or nylon brush as this won’t likely scratch the grate’s surface.

Check the grill brush before using it and make sure that it’s in good condition. After that, brush your grate and make sure to brush between the grates and the sides to get rid of all the residue.

Rinse Off The Grates

Once you’ve scrubbed off the cooked-on residue from the grate, you can now rinse it down with warm water. You can use a garden hose to make things easier, and this will also ensure that you rinse off all the cleanser and residue from the grate.

If, after rinsing, you realize that it’s still dirty, simply repeat the cleaning process until you remove everything. After that, dry the grate with a clean towel, ready for the next use.

Clean The Burners

Now that the grate is clean, time to move on to the next step: Cleaning the Burners.

Make sure to do this step after the grill has cooled down. It’s very important to clean your burners as food sometimes falls here. If left unattended, food debris may build up, causing your burner to fail or produce uneven heat.

How you clean a burner will highly depend on what kind of burner you have. But generally, you just need to damp a soft cloth in warm water and wipe the burner. You can also use tweezers to remove large debris of food.

If unsure of what steps to take, visit the owner’s manual.

Clean Out The Drip Tray

If your griller comes with a drip tray, it’s essential to clean this, too. Simply remove it from the grill, scrape the grease out with a putty knife, and throw that grease in a garbage bag. After that, just rinse it with soapy water, scrub it clean, and return it. Easy, right?

Scrub the Lid

The interior of your grill is not the only thing important to clean. You should not forget about your lid, too, as various outside elements have surely splattered and clung there.

Just simply scrape off any dirt or residue stuck to it. Then, mix the dish detergent with water to create a cleaning solution, dampen a soft towel in it, and use that to scrub off the dirt from the lid. For hard-to-get dirt, use a sponge.

After scrubbing it down, rinse it with water and make sure to get rid of all the soap. Dry it off, and it’s ready for next use.

Oil Your Grates

You’ve cleaned everything, but you’re not done just yet.

The last step is to oil the grates so you can remove any possible cleaning residue left. This also helps prevent food from sticking on the grill.

Start by turning on your grill for 15 minutes. Then, pick a cooking oil and wipe it to the grill with a paper towel and tongs, so you don’t burn yourself. Turn the grill on again, and when you notice a color change, it’s ready for next use.

Cleaning your stainless steel grill shouldn’t be considered a challenging task, especially if you follow the cleaning steps above. Now that you have this foolproof guide, you can certainly enjoy a delicious barbecue every time.