Coming from a Mediterranean background I’ve been watching family and friends BBQ since I was tiny. I’ve even done it myself a few times too. The Mediterranean’s will find any excuse for a BBQ whether it’s a birthday, Easter, a family get-together, or even New Year’s Day. It’s fantastic, you can cook so many different things on the BBQ from different meats, seafood, and vegetables. And, boy do they taste so much better than being cooked anywhere else. There are different types of BBQs to choose from in all shapes and sizes. Such options include barrel smokers, a top-of-the-line propane BBQ, a charcoal BBQ (my favourite is charcoal as you can’t beat the flavour) etc. But, no matter which you have, you’ll need to make sure your BBQ is clean before you use it. In this post, we look at Common BBQ-Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid.
(Collaborative post)
Common BBQ-Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid
In order to look after your BBQ you need to make sure you clean it properly. Let’s look at a few tips to help you do this.
Delaying Cleaning the BBQ Grate
Having watched my grandad and dad BBQ over the years I quickly discovered that it is far simpler to remove stuck-on food off a hot grill than it is to clean one that is cold. This eliminates the risk of moisture from food leftovers rusting the grate or affecting the flavour of the following BBQ meal you make.
Cleaning BBQ Grates with Foil Incineration
Cleaning BBQ grates using an ancient technique that seems too wonderful to be true really works. With the foil technique, the grill grates are covered with foil and heated to a high heat for 20 minutes, trapping heat and combustion of food residue into ash. If you use a gas grill you’ll soon discover these aren’t built to withstand temperatures this high, so it is best to use a good-quality barbecue cleaner. I recently discovered the company that makes the hob cleaner I use also does a great oven and BBQ cleaner. I’ll be getting some of that ordered soon ready for BBQ season.
Incorrect Use of an Old Wire Brush
Metal or brass bristles are often used in grill brushes, and they’re excellent for removing food debris from hot grates. When the metal bristles of a brush break loose over time, they may wind up stuck on grating surfaces and in your food – and even in you! Replace your metal grill brush at least once every year or more if you often grill, and check it for loose bristles before each usage. In order to use nylon scrapers, you must wait until the grate has cooled before using them.
Failing to Clean Your Grill Brush
Whenever you use a grill brush, a lot of grease and food debris becomes trapped in it. Be careful to clean your brush after each use to avoid smearing old food and rancid oil onto your grate the next time you use it. Rinse the brush with hot soapy water after rubbing it on the bristles of another brush to remove the larger particles. Soak in some soapy water for a more thorough cleaning. To extend the life of your brushes, keep them in an area that is not exposed to the atmosphere.
Failing to Inspect Your Propane Tank
After spending hours preparing a feast, do you suddenly find you are low on propane? Make it a practice to check the propane tank after each grilling session so that you can plan to get extra before the next get-together. Check for leaks in the propane tank and hose at least once a year by running soapy water down the line and valve. It is safe to assume that if bubbles appear, there is a leak in the system. A new valve or tank will be required if the leak persists.
Pin It!
Not Applying Vegetable Oil to Cast Iron Grates
BBQ grates made of cast iron should be handled the same as a cast iron skillet. To preserve them in good condition, you must wash them and treat them with a small layer of vegetable oil. After cleaning the grate, apply vegetable oil to the grate with a paper towel or cloth.
Failing to Cover the BBQ When Not in Use
To extend the life of your BBQ, you should always keep it covered while not in use. Or, opt for your own outdoor BBQ house. If you don’t keep your BBQ covered the outside and inside can rust due to rain and morning dew. You don’t want rust getting into your meals. It also prevents leaves, dust, bird droppings, or insects, and small mammals from getting into your BBQ. For those with a propane BBQ there is a risk of hoses fracturing.
To Summarise
We are all aware of at least some of the Common BBQ-Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid if we want our meal to taste great and not make us ill. By looking after our BBQ we not only extend its lifespan but, also ensure delicious meals for us all to enjoy. Want a tasty recipe to kick off your BBQing for this year? You’ll love my Sumac Lamb with Red Cabbage Salad and Tzatziki (image above).
Enjoy!
Are there any Common BBQ-Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid that you’d suggest could be added? If not, which tip did you find most helpful?
Enjoyed this Post?
Subscribe to Melanie’s Fab Finds RSS feed to see my latest posts. Posts will include recipes, reviews, etc. and as a result, you will hear about my new posts and competitions first!
Watch our fab product reviews on YouTube x
Discover more from Melanie's Fab Finds
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
It is good to know how to properly clean and prepare a grill especially when winterizing it. We tend to leave the grill a mess for winter and then it is a bear to clean in the spring.
I will show this to my husband. He’s the one that does all the BBQing and cleaning that comes with it!
Men do seem to enjoy BBQing.
Never have I been brave enough to attempt cooking BBQ since I moved into my own home. It looks intimidating enough to see it happen in the restaurants! But it’s good to know the ins and outs of BBQ before I work up the nerve. Thank you so much for sharing!
This is the one thing I don’t like about bbqs. The grill can be a nightmare to wash. Fair power spray we find useful, but soaking ultimately is the best way but it’s always too big for the sink 😆
It can be best to work on cleaning whilst items ae still warm. Learning them for another day makes them much harder to clean.
Thank you for linking a bbq cleaner! I need to be better about cleaning mine this summer.
It is important to keep on top of the cleaning. It makes it easier to do.
These are KEY! I am legit terrible with cleaning that up! I sadly lack in all things barbecue *sad face*
We do a LOT of grilling here in the Southern US as well. Usually, my husband is the one who does the grilling and cleaning. He does clean it right away and uses a brush but I honestly don’t know more than that! I’ll have to see if the grates are cast iron, though, as I’m the one who takes care of the cast iron in the kitchen.
These are great tips that are often overlooked. I am going to share this with my hubby!
For me, keeping up with the cleaning is what matters most. It’s easy to close the top of the grill, go back inside, and forget about it. But always best to clean it right away, like you said, when it’s still hot.
My husband grills often and follows most of these tips. He doesn’t cover the grill ever though.
Thanks for sharing these helpful tips! We’re planning to have a barbecue party this weekend and these will come in handy.
It can be easy to fall into the trap of making these mistakes. I used to make them too especially not applying vegetable oil but I’ve learned from my mistakes.
O, my husband always tries to delay BBQ cleaning. I don’t grill and try to avoid all BBQ stuff, but I’ll show your article to my husband.
Looking after BBQ stuff well is important if you want to keep them longer. I find these tips helpful and I’m sure a lot of people do too.
Great tips here, I have the best tip I leave the bbq to my husband but do agree with these tips, we need to get a new one this year
Ha, that is the best tip ever Samantha. Love it!!!!
I don’t have a garden so BBQs are out of the question for me. We did buy my Dad a big grill a few years ago and I must say, he is very thorough with keeping it clean. He loves to have everybody over for a BBQ
thank you for these tips! i have a bbq in the house but i never really thought if i’m cleaning it correctly.
Oh yes! Many of the mistakes you have spoken of here are often ignored and yet, our health and enjoyment of the steak depend on them.
Great tips on BBQ-Cleaning mistakes. I’m always searching for new ways to keep everything clean and sanitary.
Oh, we’ve used the foil trick in the past. However with our new BBQ.its not something we need to do very often.
That’s great to hear. Always handy when things are easy to use.
We are pretty bad when it comes to cleaning our BBQ, even though it tends to be Luke’s domain. I need to get him into the habit of it more when this summer rolls around x
All of these are great tips! Always a good idea to make sure your grill is cleaned properly so that it last longer and doesn’t cause any safety hazards.
These tips are super handy around this time, grilling season is coming up!
Thanks Elizabeth, not long now!!
We got rid of our bbq grill months ago. But I’ll keep these tips in mind in case we get a new one.
The new ones are really good and perfect for summer meals.
Good call on checking the propane tank. On top of that, it could save a life or prevent injury!
Good call on checking the propane tanks. On top of all that, it can prevent injury!
Admittedly I don’t bbq often because I’m easily intimidated by it all but great tips and things to keep note of. I do love outdoor grilling so I hope to do it more often.
I hope this has helped. I hope you get to BBQ loads over the warmer months.
I often leave the barbecue to my husband, so I will have to get him to read this post so he knows all of these great tips to keep it in top condition! Haha
Oh, you’ve shared so amazing tips here. We have used the foil one before when we use our BBQ in the summertime.
1 Oh, you’ve shared so amazing tips here. We have used the foil one before when we use our BBQ in the summertime.
Don’t forget to clean it whilst still warm too!!
We don’t usually BBQ but we are planning to try it this year since we now have a backyard we can use!
What a wonderful tradition! It’s true that nothing beats the flavour of food cooked in a charcoal BBQ and I can definitely relate to finding any excuse for making a BBQ. I appreciate all the tips!
This is so informative, can’t wait to let my dad and husband see this. They’re the one who always grilled BBQ
Ha, it does seem to be the men’s job!!!
I haven’t used a bbq grill in a long time. They are a pain to keep clean though. I got an indoor George Foreman grill and it is easier to clean when it’s hot.
I need to consider your advice to keep my bbq covered. I don’t do it usually but I will start it!
It will help make it last longer.
I am guilty of not cleaning the bbq straight away. I usually enjoy the dinner and just leave it for the following day. And I always dread the deep cleaning after the winter.
It can be a nuisance but by leaving it you make more work for yourself.
Ugh, yes. I have delayed cleaning many times, and it just gets so gross. I always soak it in water immediately after I am done, and then settle in for a good scrub.
These tips are really helpful. We don’t have a bbq but will remember these tips when we get one.
They are popular, I’m sure you’ll get one at some stage.
Some great tips, we love a bbq in the summer. I will pass on to my fella as he’s the one that takes on the task. X
I’m sure he has it covered but you never know x
Great advice – I must admit I do tend to leave the cleaning of the BBQ for hours which is really not a good idea, then I get the other half to do it haha.
Great tips for cleaning a BBQ – but seriously, I couldn’t get past the the idea of Mediterranean bbq and the mouth watering imagery. Yum – they are the best. My husband is Cypriot and we are currently in Cyprus – love love Souvla. Looking forward to Spring incoming so we can eat outdoors again.
Must admit, I am not all that good at BBQing, so now my son is older, I leave it to him!
Great tips – perfect for coming into summer season! Delaying is defo something to avoid!
Yikes. We live in a high rise flat so we have not barbecued but it sounds like a lot of work to maintain a BBQ, who would have known. But having wire in your food from an old wire brush sounds dangerous, especially when when it can cut your throat
Oh lots of good tips here thank you.
Thanks Kathryn. I’m glad you liked the post.
I agree, it is much easier to clean while the metal is still hot, I do this with my george foreman grill too! Some great tips here
I am terrible at leaving the BBQ for a while before I clean it, that’s my biggest mistake everytime. I definitely need to follow your advice this summer.
It’s so much easier to clean them whilst still warm, that way the grease etc comes off easier.
This has reminded me that I really need to give my bbq a clean soon!
Laura x
It’s best to clean them whilst still warm after use as it’s harder later on.
Those are some great tips to keep in mind. My husband loves to grill and this would save us a lot of time cleaning.
I love grilling and using barbecue but I have to admit that I am a lazy cleaner and tend to leave the clean up for next day and then its a challenge.
I’ve always wanted a BBQ but there’s a lot of things to take care of. Thanks for the suggestions though.
These are great things to pay attention to when going on a BBQ. I will keep this mind as it’s very helpful.
Got to say that we’re guilty of quite a few of these mistakes!
We have a charcoal bbq that we love using in the summer, but we are so bad at cleaning it straight after use and then it’s so hard to clean later on!
Totally agree with the delay on cleaning the BBQ, it makes it so much easier to clean, if you just leave it for a bit 🙂
It really does make it much easier.
I don’t get the whole BBQ experience but I am a veggie so maybe it’s not the same for me.
Veggies on the BBQ can be great!
Can’t wait for bbqs again bring it on! Yum. I’ll be doing chicken and sweetcorn wraps
We#ve already had a few this year.
It’s so much easier to clean them whilst still warm but im terrible for forgetting!
It really does make a big difference.
My husband is in charge of the Barbeque and also of keeping it clean!
I’m sure he does a great job.
i’m not a huge fan on bbq’ing but those are some very useful tips
We love a good BBQ you can make so many great foods.