Maintaining Your Barbecue Grates

Published July 13, 2016

Any good chef would agree that a great charbroiled steak is only as good as the barbecue used to prepare it.

Keeping your barbecue grates in good condition is an important factor to keep in mind when maintaining your barbecue over the summer months.

To keep your barbecue grates in good shape you may want to follow a few important tips from the experts.

Firstly, it’s important to attend to dirty grates immediately after use. Remove all cooked food and shut the lid. Bring the barbecue temperature up to high (if you have a gas version) and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Shut the gas off at this point and let the grates cool. Using a metal-bristled brush, scrub off any remaining food residue.

Preheating your barbecue before use is a key factor. You will find if you preheat your barbecue before setting food on it, the food will slide off the grates easier than if you place food on cold grates.

Use a good quality oil to give your grates a rub before each use. This will prevent food from sticking and allow for easier cleaning afterwards.

It is also recommended to give your barbecue a good, deep cleansing once a year. There are many barbecue cleaning companies here in Vancouver that specialize in cleaning your barbecue to the point where it looks brand new – definitely worth the expense.

Personally, I prefer the eco-friendly barbecue cleaning companies that use a steam cleaning process rather than chemicals. Harsh chemicals are avoided during the cleaning process and any possibility of leftover chemicals that may linger and end up in your food is eliminated.

It is also recommended to remove the tray under the gas grill and clean it of any drippings and grease after each use. Use a plastic scraper over a garbage can to scrape away any leftover residue.

Remember to clean the outside of your barbecue. For stainless steel gas barbecues it is recommended to use a paper towel and a stainless steel cleaner to clean the outside lid and surrounding areas. Afterward, use a microfibre cloth to buff the grain for best results.