Is there anything better than the smell of steak cooking on an outside grill? Spring has sprung and grillers are getting out their gas and charcoal grills. They’re also finding the remnants of last year’s hot dog and hamburger fest that has sat idle for the past four months.
Cleaning a grill grate, especially when you forget before the winter, can be a difficult job. The grease, fat and general goo has become a concrete-like substance that’s keeping you from the ribeye of your dreams. It needs to be cleaned and cleaned thoroughly before you even think about putting that slab of heaven on it.
The Tools You Need
The first thing is a pair of sturdy rubber gloves. You don’t want to touch that nastiness with your bare skin. You’ll also need a wire grill brush. They’re not very expensive and do a great job of scraping the gunk off. In house, you’ll need dish soap that has a reputation for being tough on grease and a sponge or microfiber towel.
Cleaning the Grill
You need to heat the grill for a while to get the food deposits hot. It may mean sacrificing some charcoal, but having the goo warm makes it easier to get off. Don’t clean the grill when it hot. You may need a little elbow grease and you don’t want a third degree burn to your hands. Wait until the grill grate is warm and use the grill brush. It should make short work of the particles. They’ll fall down into the charcoal and may flair up a little if there’s grease in them.
The grill grate should be free of all particles and don’t forget to do both sides. Set the grill off to the side and empty the charcoal and ashes. Some may argue charcoal and ash removal isn’t necessary as it falls into the trap under the grill, but trust us, it is. The charcoal and ashes are covered in leftover food particles. This could end up making the food taste bad if used right after cleaning.
In the House
The grill may look great, but it’s best to error on the side of caution. There could be dangerous bacteria residing on it. Don’t start grill season started off with a salmonella outbreak. Take the grill inside the house and put it in the bathtub. (It won’t likely fit in the sink.)
Pour the dish soap over the grill and cover it in hot water. It should soak for a little while to let the soap and hot water break up any grease on the grill. Grab a sponge or washcloth and scrub down the grill from end to end. The hot water and soap should not only remove the grease, but also take care of any bacteria.
With the grill in perfect order, place the grate back on and season that ribeye. It’s grilling time.
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