Enjoy A Smudge-Free And Sparkling Outdoor Grill

With the warm spring and summer months around the corner, homeowners across Billings are preparing to take their entertaining to their beloved outdoor living spaces. While you are grilling at your cookouts, guests are eyeing your coveted stainless steel grill. Here are the quick steps to help you clean your grill this year:

• Once the grill is cooled, use a grill brush with nylon bristles to clean off the remaining particles.
• If the grates have been neglected or require a deep cleaning, take them to soak in the kitchen sink.
• Sprinkle baking soda all over the stainless steel grate. Next, use a spray bottle to spray white vinegar over the baking soda. After the mixture foams, gently scrub with a wire brush or steel wool.
• Once clean, rinse the grate well with water and allow it to dry completely before returning them to your grill.

Just because it’s called stainless doesn’t mean your stainless steel grill can’t stain, corrode, or rust. Food residue, grime, and build-up from the elements all take a toll on stainless steel surfaces.

Why A Clean Grill Matters

No matter how often you use your stainless steel grill, cleaning it should always be at the top of your to-do list. Here are just a few reasons why a clean grill matters:

• Banishes Bacteria: Nothing puts a damper on a gathering faster than food poisoning. Unclean surfaces are a haven for harmful bacteria that could make you and your guests ill.
• Optimizes Efficiency: If your burners are drowning in grease, they will not function properly. A clean grill heats up faster and cooks better.
• Improves Food Taste: Nobody wants to taste your last grill session on their meal. Keeping your grill clean will keep your flavors true.
• Increases The Life Expectancy Of Your Grill: You invested your hard-earned money on a stainless steel grill. Protect your investment and keep it burning for years to come by properly cleaning it after every use.
• Prevents Flare-Ups: We’ve all been there: you turn your back for once second and return to flames, smoke, and a charred meal. Cleaning your grill reduces these events by removing grime and grease that contributes to flare-ups.

Depending on how dirty your grill is, there are simples steps you can take to keep your BBQ grill shining and clean. Let’s jump into the best ways to keep your grill and outdoor living space clean and beautiful for years to come!

1. Gather Stainless Steel Safe Supplies

Before you get started, you’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary supplies. If you haven’t already, invest in a high-quality grill cover. You’ll take it off right before you grill and put it back on once your grill is cool and clean.

A high-quality grill cover releases interior moisture while keeping external moisture out. Never skimp on a grill cover: they keep your grill looking brand new season after season.

The following materials are safe for routine cleaning of stainless steel grills and stainless steel grill plates:

• Microfiber Clothes: Paper towels can be rough and scratch stainless steel surfaces.
• Dedicated Stainless Steel Cleaner Or Mild Liquid Dish Detergent: While most manufacturers, like Weber, recommend using a stainless steel cleaner, mild dish soap mixed with warm water is a safe alternative. Never use harsh chemicals like bleach.
• Warm Water

2. Painless Stainless: Grill Cleaning Basics

This may seem like a no-brainer, but to be safe: only clean your grill when it is cool to the touch. Since food particles and grease will corrode stainless steel over time, you’ll want to clean your grill after each use.

Using a microfiber cloth and soapy water with your choice of stainless steel cleaner or mild dish soap follows the grain of the stainless steel surface, usually side to side rather than up and down. Going against the grain causes scratches.

Once you have cleaned, rinse with warm water to remove any cleaning product residue. Be sure to dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Leaving your grill wet can create unsightly water stains.

While many homeowners focus on the inside of their grill, it’s essential to clean the outside of the grill. Clean the shelves on the side that held the dishes of marinated meats, the outside of the grill lid, and any doors or knobs.

While there are stainless steel polishes on the market, you will want to avoid using these on any areas that are subject to high heat. Stainless steel polishes can discolor under intense heat and leave your high-quality grill with an unsightly patina.

3. DIY Deep Cleaning Steps & Tips

No matter how much you spend on a stainless steel charcoal grill or gas grill, the cooking grates will gather grease, gunk, grime, and food residue that will require a deep cleaning. Depending on the material your grill plates are made from, you need to take steps to maintain their quality.

Cast Iron Grill Grates

If appropriately maintained, cast iron grill plates can last for several decades. After the grill heat has burned off food residue, scrub the cook plates with a wire brush or scraper.

After you have removed all leftover food particles, coat the entire surface with a high smoke point oil, like vegetable oil, and let them dry completely. If you skip the “seasoning” process, your grill grates are more likely to face corrosion and rust.

Stainless Steel Grill Grates

Cleaning stainless steel grill plates requires a bit more finesse. While the grill is hot, carefully spread a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil over the grates. This will concentrate the heat and cause the food particles to burn off.

• Once the grill is cooled, use a grill brush with nylon bristles to clean off the remaining particles.
• If the grates have been neglected or require a deep cleaning, take them to soak in the kitchen sink.
• Sprinkle baking soda all over the stainless steel grate. Next, use a spray bottle to spray white vinegar over the baking soda. After the mixture foams, gently scrub with a wire brush or steel wool.
• Once clean, rinse the grate well with water and allow it to dry completely before returning them to your grill.

Elevate Your BBQ With An Outdoor Gas Grill Station

Outdoor home chefs catering cookouts know that their grill is the secret to their success. Adding a custom outdoor grill station to your outdoor living space will make a statement and take it to the next level.

A custom outdoor grill station could be all your yard is missing. Imagine cooking new foods on the optional smoker or hosting brunch for your buddies on the griddle attachment. You could even add a pizza oven to start a new pizza night tradition for your family.

The R & T Services experts are the best choice to customize and install your new outdoor grill station. We customize and install outdoor cook stations that will make your yard a social hub and the envy of your friends.

Contact us today to get started on designing the custom outdoor grill station of your dreams!